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Down the Valley, Yosemite, California

I. W. Taber; I. W. Taber; Carleton Emmons Watkins

Artwork Details

Down the Valley, Yosemite, California
circa 1861, printed 1866-1906
I. W. Taber; I. W. Taber; Carleton Emmons Watkins
albumen print on paper
8 1/4 in x 11 7/8 in (20.9 cm x 30.2 cm);16 in x 20 in (40.64 cm x 50.8 cm)
Gift of Margaret and Howard Bond
1997/1.173

On Display

Not currently on display

Description

Subject Matter:

Shot at the center of a grassy field, this photograph shows a long view of Yosemite’s valley floor.  Arranged at the far edge of the field, a line of coniferous and deciduous trees faces the viewer.  Sloping in on either side of the image, craggy, tree-dotted cliffs arch into the frame. This central composition emphasizes the visual sensation of being at the bottom of a valley, surrounded by high ridges. The cliffs in the distance seem to all but fade into the sky, enveloped by a warm, atmospheric haze. This warmth, paired with the sharp focus of the image, causes the verdant features of the landscape to gleam in crisp detail.

Physical Description:

Photographed from ground level, this image depicts a wide view of a valley floor surrounded by tall cliffs on either side.

Usage Rights:

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