Aqudeuct Bridge, No. 19 from the series "Washington, D.C., and Vicinity"

Art Historical Context

This stereoscopic albumen print captures the Aqueduct Bridge, a vital 19th-century structure spanning the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. Created by the brothers J.W. and J.S. Moulton between 1873 and 1881, the image belongs to their series “Washington, D.C., and Vicinity.” Each small photograph measures just over three inches wide, yet together they produce a striking three-dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope, a popular parlor entertainment of the era. Albumen prints like this one were the dominant photographic medium of the time, prized for their rich tonal range and fine detail. The Moultons’ work reflects the growing fascination with photography as both an artistic pursuit and a means of visual documentation, allowing armchair travelers to experience distant landmarks with remarkable depth and realism. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s photography collection, this card offers a glimpse into post-Civil War America’s expanding infrastructure and the early role of stereo photography in shaping public perceptions of place and progress.