Gezicht op de Niagarawatervallen in de winter 1867 - 1891

Charles Bierstadt created this stereoscopic image of Niagara Falls in winter, a popular subject in the 19th century. Photographers and artists flocked to capture the sublime power of nature. Bierstadt's photograph reflects a changing relationship with the land. As settlers expanded westward, landscapes became symbols of American identity and potential. This image, with its pristine snow and thundering falls, evokes a sense of awe. But it also reveals a subtle tension. Niagara Falls was also a site of industry and tourism. The very "point of view" inscribed on the card suggests a desire to tame and consume the landscape through observation. Consider how this image relates to Indigenous perspectives. For centuries, the Haudenosaunee people lived in harmony with Niagara Falls, viewing it as a sacred place. As settlers arrived, they were displaced and their traditions disrupted. This photograph, while beautiful, is a reminder of the complex and often painful history etched into the American landscape. It asks us to consider whose stories are told, and whose are left out.