No. 34. From Bluffs at Merrimac, Minnesota Looking Down Stream 1885

This cyanotype photograph titled "No. 34. From Bluffs at Merrimac, Minnesota Looking Down Stream," was created by Henry P. Bosse in the late 19th century. The distinctive blue image captures a view of the Mississippi River from a high vantage point in Merrimac. Bosse, an engineer by profession, made these photographs at a time of westward expansion and industrial growth in the United States. His work documents the changing landscape, particularly the impact of steamboats and other forms of transportation on the river. The scene is serene, yet it subtly speaks to themes of progress and transformation. This photograph invites us to reflect on the relationship between nature and industry and to question the narratives of American expansion. Bosse's personal experience as a German immigrant may have also influenced his perspective on the American landscape, contributing a unique layer to his artistic vision.