Boston Harbor and East Boston, from State Street Block 1861 - 1888

John P. Soule made this stereograph, ‘Boston Harbor and East Boston, from State Street Block,’ using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. The photograph captures a busy harbor filled with ships. This medium allowed for the mass production of images, turning views into commodities. Photography democratized art by making it accessible to a broader audience. Soule’s choice of subject matter, the bustling harbor, reflects the era's focus on trade and industrial progress. The materiality of the photograph itself, printed on a card, speaks to its function as a portable souvenir or collectible, mass-produced for public consumption. This challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and economic context in which the image was created.