Untitled (Group at Niagara falls) c. 1860

Editor: Here we have an anonymous gelatin-silver print, taken around 1860, and titled “Untitled (Group at Niagara Falls)”. It depicts a group of people gathered for a photograph in front of the iconic waterfall. There's a beautiful wash of light and mist hanging in the background. What strikes me is the sheer number of people and how formally they are dressed in this rugged natural setting. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: Oh, it’s more than just a group photo, isn't it? It’s a record of a shared experience, a quest for the sublime, perhaps? I imagine these people journeying for days, cramped carriages, all for a glimpse of nature's raw power. Notice how small they appear against the backdrop of Niagara. This reminds us of our humble place in the grand scheme, a humbling that folks back then actively sought. What do you make of that notion? Editor: That's fascinating - their active seeking of humbleness. Do you think the photographer intentionally framed the shot this way to emphasize that power dynamic? Curator: Intentionality is always a slippery slope, isn’t it? But compositionally, yes, placing the figures lower, allowing the falls to dominate the visual space certainly speaks to an awareness. Photography was also quite new, a rather cumbersome procedure. Perhaps, they wanted to prove that it can encapsulate grandeur, even rival the popular landscape paintings of the time? The inclusion of people certainly distinguishes it from paintings of that time. Editor: I hadn't considered that competitive aspect with painting. Seeing it that way changes everything. Thanks! Curator: It is my pleasure. Art is just one, never-ending chain of questions, you see. Isn't that marvelous?