Untitled [view along river] c. 20th century

William J. Mullins made this understated photograph with gelatin silver print. Mullins, active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captured landscapes that often reflected the changing American scenery amidst industrialization and urbanization. The photograph presents a tranquil river scene flanked by bare trees. The quiet stillness evokes the relationship between nature and society, at a time when rapid industrial growth began to encroach upon natural landscapes. We might see a commentary on the value of preserving nature’s quietude. The composition invites contemplation on the changing American landscape and the intersection between nature and societal progress. It prompts reflection on the values we assign to both the built environment and the natural world, and the emotional impact of their interplay.