Gezicht op Table Rock en de Horseshoe Falls (Niagarawatervallen) c. 1861

This is a photograph of the Niagara Falls, presenting Table Rock and the Horseshoe Falls, by an anonymous artist. The photograph captures the immense scale and power of nature through its composition. The perspective, taken from a vantage point that emphasizes the breadth and height of the falls, evokes a sense of awe. Note how the artist utilizes the tonal range of photography to articulate the textures of water and rock. The cascading water is rendered as a dynamic, almost textural element, contrasting with the solid, static forms of the rock formations. The structure of the image is carefully balanced, positioning the falls as both a spectacle and a force, thereby challenging the traditional landscape's picturesque ideals. The contrast between the light, airy mist and the dark, solid rock introduces a dialogue on the sublime—a popular theme in 19th-century art—where beauty and terror intersect. Ultimately, the photograph functions as a study in contrasts: light versus dark, movement versus stasis, and the transient versus the eternal, inviting viewers to contemplate their place within this monumental scene.