Henry Ward Beecher 1875

This stereoscopic photograph, taken by John P. Soule in 1875, depicts the prominent American clergyman Henry Ward Beecher. The image, titled “Skeleton Leaves,” is an example of the Victorian era’s fascination with photography and the macabre, showcasing a portrait of Beecher amidst a setting of delicate but decaying leaves. This image showcases the emerging technologies of the time, allowing viewers to experience a three-dimensional effect through the stereoscope. The piece is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago.