Tweemaal een uitzicht vanuit een trein in Trinidad in Colorado before 1883

These two images, taken by R.D. Cleveland, capture views from a train in Trinidad, Colorado. They are found within the pages of a larger book. The book itself acts as a curated archive, shaping how we understand the West by controlling the circulation of images and narratives. Notice how the positioning of the photographs, as glimpses from a train window, subtly emphasizes the transformative power of the railroad. This was a time when railroads were not just modes of transport but powerful symbols of progress, expansion, and the reshaping of the American landscape. Who was this book intended for, and what social class did they belong to? What kind of audience would have found this interesting? To fully appreciate these images, we need to delve into the history of railroad expansion, the cultural narratives surrounding the American West, and the institutional contexts that shaped both their production and reception. In doing so, the contingent and often complex meanings of the artwork will be revealed.