Bolton Priory. The Stepping Stones 1850s

"Bolton Priory. The Stepping Stones," a calotype photograph by Joseph Cundall from the 1850s, depicts a picturesque landscape scene. The image focuses on a rocky riverbank with a stream flowing gently through a series of stepping stones. The composition is framed by a verdant forest that provides a sense of natural beauty and tranquility, characteristic of the Romantic era. The calotype process, known for its soft focus and tonal range, renders the scene in a delicate, almost ethereal, manner. This work, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the artistic potential of early photography in capturing the beauty of the natural world.