Goat Island, Lighthouse
1864/67
Medium
Albumen print
Dimensions
Image: 5.4 × 7.7 cm (2 3/16 × 3 1/16 in.); Card: 6.1 × 10.1 cm (2 7/16 × 4 in.)
Classification
photographic process
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
33496
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the misty grandeur of Niagara Falls, *Goat Island, Lighthouse (1864/67) by the photography duo Black & Chase captures a serene yet dramatic view of this iconic American landmark. Goat Island, dividing the Niagara River's rapids between the U.S. and Canada was a prime vantage point for early photographers drawn to the Falls' raw power. Produced during the Civil War era, this intimate albumen print—measuring just 5.4 × 7.7 cm on a slightly larger card—served as a portable souvenir, evoking the era's booming tourism. The albumen printing process, introduced in the 1840s, revolutionize...