Art Institute of Chicago

Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho, looking through the timber, and showing the main fall, and upper or "Lace Falls", No. 49 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"

Timothy O'Sullivan (American, born Ireland, 1840–1882)

Date: 1874
Medium: Albumen print, stereo
Culture: United States
Department: Photography and Media
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago

In 1871 Timothy O’Sullivan, who had gained acclaim photographing the Civil War, was recruited by George M. Wheeler of the U.S. War Department to join a government survey of lands west of the 100th meridian. Working alongside scientists and cartographers, O’Sullivan produced large-format prints for study and official use, as well as stereographic cards for a general audience. Stereographs were made by taking two photographs of the same scene with lenses about two and a half inches apart to match the distance between human eyes. Viewed through a stereoscope, the two images combine to give the illusion of deep space. Hugh Edwards acquired several O’Sullivan works, including the complete two-volume Wheeler survey and boxed stereo set from which this image comes, as well as the photographs he made for Gardner’s Photographic Sketch Book of the War , published by Alexander Gardner.

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Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho, Main Fall, 210 feet from upper to lower level, width of fall, 800 feet from upper to lower level; Height of Cañon wall at the falls, 1.000 feet. A number of minor falls, Islands, and boulder rocks above the main fall add beauty to the lonely majesty of this scene, No. 48 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"

Art Institute of Chicago

Shoshone Falls, Snake River, Idaho. Gorge and natural bridge, in the fore-ground, No. 50 from the series "Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian"

Art Institute of Chicago