Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, Californië, Verenigde Staten c. 1870 - 1900

Isaiah West Taber captured this photograph of Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, California. As you gaze at this image, consider the historical context in which it was created. In the late 19th century, the American West was being shaped by expansion and the ideology of Manifest Destiny. This photograph romanticizes the landscape, inviting viewers to marvel at its untouched beauty while conveniently erasing the presence and history of the native populations who inhabited the land for millennia. Notice how the composition directs your eye along the path, leading towards the majestic waterfall. This visual journey mirrors the narrative of westward expansion, promising adventure and discovery while obscuring the displacement and violence inflicted upon indigenous communities. Taber's photograph serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between art, identity, and the construction of national narratives. It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose are left out when we celebrate the beauty of the American landscape.