Fort Madison 1891

This is a cyanotype of Fort Madison, made by Henry P. Bosse sometime in the late nineteenth century. It is created using a fascinating photographic printing process that yields a distinctive cyan-blue print. The cyanotype process was favored in engineering and botanical fields for its simplicity and low cost. Bosse, a trained civil engineer, skillfully adapted the process to create artistic landscapes, moving this scientific technique into the realm of fine art. The image's monochromatic blue hue is not just an aesthetic choice but a direct result of the chemical reactions involving iron salts and exposure to ultraviolet light. This process emphasizes the image’s graphic qualities, flattening the landscape and giving it an almost dreamlike quality. As you look at the image, consider the labor and precision involved in coating the paper, exposing it under the sun, and then carefully washing it to reveal the final print. Thinking about the materials and processes behind this work allows us to appreciate how deeply connected art is to craft, design, and materiality.