Gezicht op North Conway before 1878

This stereograph, "Gezicht op North Conway," was made by the Bierstadt Brothers in the 19th century. It's a photographic print, a duplicate image on card stock, designed to be viewed with a stereoscope to create an illusion of three-dimensionality. Photography, though seemingly objective, involves choices that reflect cultural values. This image of North Conway, a popular spot for artists, reveals how landscape itself was being packaged and consumed. The Bierstadt Brothers weren't just capturing a scene; they were framing a vista that fit the era’s aesthetic ideals. Think of this as a kind of industrialized sublime, a mass-produced version of the transcendental experience. The stereograph was a popular form of entertainment that helped to fuel tourism and shape perceptions of the American landscape. It blurred the lines between art, commerce, and leisure, inviting viewers to experience nature as a commodity.