Cathedral Rocks and Spires 1870 - 1874

Carleton E. Watkins's "Cathedral Rocks and Spires, Yosemite" (1870-1874) is a stunning example of 19th-century landscape photography. This large-format photograph captures the grandeur of Yosemite Valley, showcasing the towering granite cliffs and towering trees that characterize this iconic natural wonder. Watkins, a pioneer in the field, used a specialized camera to capture the immense scale and detail of the scene, leaving a lasting legacy of images that helped to inspire the preservation of Yosemite for future generations. This iconic image is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.