Rifton Falls at Rifton Water, Co., NY c. 1865

Editor: This stereograph, "Rifton Falls at Rifton Water, Co., NY" by E. Lewis, presents a captivating scene, but it's the material nature of the print itself, the worn texture, that really grabs me. What can you tell me about it? Curator: As a stereograph, its production relied on specific labor practices and technologies of its time—the photographic chemicals, the printing process, the very act of creating a duplicated image for mass consumption. How does its accessibility challenge traditional notions of "high art"? Editor: That's a great point, it really was intended for mass consumption, wasn't it? Thinking about the manufacturing process gives a different perspective. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. By examining the material means of production, we move beyond just the image and consider its place within a broader economic and social context.