[Yosemite National Park, California] 1876 - 1880

Carleton E. Watkins' "Yosemite National Park, California," a circular albumen print created between 1876 and 1880, captures the serene beauty of the park. The image showcases a tranquil river meandering through a verdant forest, with towering cliffs rising in the background. Watkins' masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and grandeur, highlighting the natural wonders of Yosemite. The photograph is an excellent example of 19th-century landscape photography, a genre that emphasized the sublime beauty of the American wilderness. It is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.