Northern Wall of the Grand Cañon 1872

Editor: This is William Bell's "Northern Wall of the Grand Cañon," a stereograph from 1872. The figure perched on the edge makes me think about manifest destiny, about the drive to conquer and map the American West. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s interesting that you mention manifest destiny. Consider how these images, produced during government-funded expeditions, were used to assert dominance over the landscape and its Indigenous peoples. How does the lone figure contribute to this narrative? Editor: I guess the figure emphasizes a supposed triumph of man over nature, which is troubling. Curator: Exactly. The very act of photographing and distributing these images played a role in shaping public perception and justifying colonial expansion. Recognizing this helps us understand the complex relationship between art, power, and history. Editor: That provides a new lens for appreciating the photograph's importance. Curator: Indeed. By understanding its historical context, we can view this image as more than just a landscape; it becomes a visual document of a complex and often problematic history.