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It was also digitally manipulated to remove rises in the landscape, walkers and a factory. So its not like it was SOOC.
I think its fame came from its liminal nature. Its a very large print. Like looking through a window. It has a sense of calm, with potential for something to happen. The horizontals are aesthetically pleasing - as is the uncluttered landscape. Gursky was already a well established artist before he made Rhein II, and I suspect that his gallery likely paid to have the photo printed.
They will have created a big exhibition surrounding the work, called in all the collectors, media, and academics and used this particular photo to launch him into the museum quality art scene.
