Cayuga Lake, Sheldrake c. 1895

William H. Rau made this photograph, "Cayuga Lake, Sheldrake", using a photographic process around the turn of the century. It depicts a tranquil scene on Cayuga Lake in upstate New York, yet this image speaks to broader cultural trends of its time. Rau's commercial work often presented idealized visions of American landscapes. His photography coincided with the rise of environmental awareness and conservation movements. Thinkers like Thoreau and Muir promoted the idea of wilderness as a space for spiritual renewal, helping to fuel the creation of national parks. However, it's important to consider that these movements often overlooked the displacement of indigenous populations from these lands. Rau’s photograph is beautiful, but it begs the question of whose vision of nature is being presented and at what cost? Historical research into land use, indigenous history, and environmental policy can help us to better understand this image’s complex relationship to both nature and society.