Vernal Falls, Yosemite 1861

Curator: Here we have Carleton Watkins's photograph "Vernal Falls, Yosemite," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, what a dreamy scene! It’s like stepping into a vintage postcard, all soft edges and ethereal light. Curator: Watkins’s images, especially those of Yosemite, played a significant role in shaping the romanticized view of the American West. The falls, that cascade of water, almost feels otherworldly. Editor: It does, and the way the light hits those rocks, makes it look almost like a painting. I wonder what it felt like to stand there, to really witness that raw, untamed beauty? Curator: It's a landscape that embodies both sublime power and tranquil serenity, resonating with nature’s enduring symbolic force. Editor: Makes you want to pack a bag and chase some waterfalls. Thanks for the mini escape.