Old Dominium and Uncle Tom's Tavern. Calaveras Grove 1876 - 1880

Curator: This gelatin silver print, dating from 1876 to 1880, is titled "Old Dominium and Uncle Tom's Tavern. Calaveras Grove," and it's by Carleton Watkins. Editor: My first thought is, “Wow, a sepia dream." It has this soft, almost nostalgic feeling. It makes me want to walk into that forest, despite not being allowed to, which is the art experience at its best. Curator: Watkins was known for his stunning landscape photography, particularly of the American West. This image, with its dramatic framing, was clearly intended to evoke a sense of awe. Consider that during that time the photographic document becomes evidence, used in legal claims regarding property or territorial rights, not simply decorative work for living rooms. Editor: Totally. But there’s something a bit off about how it’s presented. It feels staged, as if we, and the people in the photo were supposed to be struck by this supposed greatness and beauty, rather than discovering it organically. What’s with the almost humorous titles on the tree? Why name those behemoths such bizarre titles? What purpose do these names hold? Curator: Those titles reflect the era's complex relationship with nature. Names like "Uncle Tom's Tavern" point to popular culture and, in this case, perhaps a questionable effort to familiarize the unfamiliar for tourism purposes and commercialization. Consider, how that popular literature influenced societal perception, imbuing it with layers of socio-political baggage? The pictorialism in this is so, odd, like a bad Instagram filter from back in the day. Editor: Yes, exactly! And the tonal range—so deliberately chosen. It's almost as if Watkins is less interested in documenting and more interested in making us feel something specific—like we’re supposed to understand this space within a social context of the day, as the majestic old west. Like propaganda. I wonder if any artists at that time dared to do different, to be honest and raw. Curator: There were definitely counter narratives in circulation, yet a careful unpacking of Carleton’s vision provides insight into how landscape photography has played a crucial role in promoting particular visions, not always inclusive. We see what museums select and the rest seems forgotten in time. Editor: Indeed. Watkins gives me pause. This image made me question everything I'm supposed to "ooh and aah" at, when in reality, I would rather see some photographs with raw honesty. It really shows the impact that visual propaganda had back then and still carries on to today! Curator: So, although presented as a grand ode, "Old Dominium and Uncle Tom's Tavern, Calaveras Grove" leads us to probe deeper. It prompts us to confront those historic power dynamics, especially regarding tourism and landscape back in those times, when these landscapes weren't known and held mystic beauty. Editor: Absolutely. The beauty of these works is being able to uncover a darker, untold tale hidden beneath pretty filters, that we can unveil new dialogues in spaces.