The Father of the Forest 450 Ft Long, C. Grove 1876 - 1880

Carleton Watkins's "The Father of the Forest 450 Ft Long" is a striking example of the photographer's renowned landscape photography. Captured between 1876 and 1880, this image showcases the grandeur of a fallen giant sequoia in California's Mariposa Grove. The circular format, a hallmark of Watkins's work, draws the viewer into the scene, emphasizing the scale and majesty of the fallen tree, a reminder of nature's power and resilience. The image, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, remains a testament to the photographer's artistic vision and his commitment to capturing the sublime beauty of the American West.