Chocorua 1854

Editor: This is John Adams Whipple's "Chocorua," an undated photograph from the Harvard Art Museums. The soft tones give it a serene quality. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I'm drawn to consider the material conditions of this image. Photography in Whipple’s time was a burgeoning industry, reliant on specific chemical processes and a growing market for landscape views. How did the rise of industrial capitalism shape not only the subject, but the *making* of the image itself? Editor: That's a great point; I didn't think about the industrial processes involved. Curator: Indeed, reflecting on these commercial aspects deepens our appreciation for Whipple's work beyond just the aesthetic. Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks for broadening my perspective.