The American Fall, from below 1861 - 1888

This stereograph, titled "The American Fall, from Below," was created by John P. Soule. It presents two nearly identical images side by side, meant to simulate three-dimensional depth when viewed through a stereoscope. The composition is dominated by the imposing form of Niagara Falls in winter. The fall on the left is rendered in grayscale, emphasizing the stark contrast between the dark, icy cliffs and the cascading water, which appears as a diaphanous white veil. On the right, the fall is a mass of icicles hanging precariously, their verticality contrasting with the horizontal flow of the water. The use of stereoscopic technology here is not merely a means of documentation but a tool to enhance the sublime experience of confronting nature’s power. Soule's work invites us to consider the interplay between technology and perception, and to reflect on the structuring of the visible.