Eagle Point, Yosemite 1870 - 1874

Carleton Watkins's "Eagle Point, Yosemite" (1870-74) is a stunning black and white photograph of the iconic Yosemite Valley. Watkins, a pioneering photographer of the American West, captured the breathtaking grandeur of the landscape, showcasing towering granite cliffs, rugged peaks, and a dramatic valley floor. This image, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, exemplifies Watkins's mastery of the mammoth plate camera and his ability to translate the scale and majesty of nature into photographic form. The photograph not only documents the beauty of Yosemite but also played a pivotal role in raising awareness of the site and ultimately leading to its preservation as a national park.