Canon of the Colorado River, near Mouth of San Juan River, Arizona 1873

Editor: This is Timothy O'Sullivan's photograph, "Canon of the Colorado River, near Mouth of San Juan River, Arizona." It's a landscape, monumental in scale, despite the relatively small print size. What role did photography play in shaping perceptions of the American West at this time? Curator: O'Sullivan's images weren't just documents, they were powerful tools in constructing a narrative of the West as both sublime and ripe for exploitation. Consider the context: these photos were commissioned during governmental survey expeditions. Editor: So, it's less about pure artistry and more about national interests? Curator: Precisely. The "empty" landscape invites settlement and resource extraction. The very act of photographing and naming places stakes a claim. Did these images encourage or discourage westward expansion? Editor: I see now, it’s a loaded image, shaping a narrative as much as capturing a scene. Curator: Indeed, understanding that transforms our perception.