A View up Yosemite Valley 1871

Thomas Hill created this grand vista of Yosemite Valley using oil paint on canvas. Oil paint, in particular, allows the building of layers of color. Looking closely, we can see how the materiality of the paint has been exploited to achieve atmospheric effects. Notice the smooth blending in the distant mountains, achieved by working the oil while wet. By contrast, the foreground is heavily textured, with visible brushstrokes suggesting the rough, rocky terrain. The canvas itself is a plain weave, yet its presence is entirely sublimated to the illusion. Hill was one of many artists who flocked to Yosemite, drawn by its sublime scenery and the growing tourist industry. Paintings like this one played a crucial role in promoting the idea of the American West as a destination, fueling expansion and, of course, commercial activity. So, while "A View up Yosemite Valley" appears to be a straightforward celebration of nature, it's also deeply intertwined with the social and economic forces of its time. It challenges us to consider the making of an artwork, in conjunction with its cultural context.