Spanish American Woman, near Chimayo, New Mexico Possibly 1937 - 1981

Ansel Adams created this black and white photograph, “Spanish American Woman, near Chimayo, New Mexico” using gelatin silver. The image presents an elderly woman, her face etched with lines of time, standing near Chimayo, a place known for its blend of Spanish and Native American cultures. Adams, known for his landscapes, here turns his lens to portraiture, capturing a subject whose identity is complex. Her traditional dress speaks to a cultural heritage rooted in this region, a history of both struggle and resilience. The photograph offers us not just a visual representation, but an invitation to consider the narratives of identity, ethnicity, and aging. It prompts us to consider the untold stories of those whose lives are woven into the landscape of the American Southwest.