Henry Wilson 1875

This stereoscopic photograph, “Henry Wilson,” created in 1875 by John P. Soule, showcases the unique artistry of the 19th-century stereoscopic photography trend. Soule, a prominent photographer of the time, uses a layered technique to create a three-dimensional illusion. The image, featuring Henry Wilson, a United States Senator and Vice President, is framed by a delicate arrangement of “skeleton leaves,” a popular motif in Victorian art. This technique is reminiscent of the Victorian era's fascination with the ephemeral and the symbolic. The image is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.