Rotswand van El Capitan in Yosemite Valley in de wolken c. 1880 - 1900

Isaiah West Taber made this albumen print of El Capitan in Yosemite Valley in the late 19th century. The photograph depicts the towering granite monolith partially veiled by clouds, with the Merced River and surrounding trees in the foreground. It was made in an era marked by westward expansion and growing interest in the American landscape. Taber's image taps into the cultural phenomenon of manifest destiny, presenting the landscape as both majestic and ripe for exploration. Note that Yosemite became a national park in 1890, during Taber’s career. The establishment of national parks can be seen as an institutional acknowledgement of nature's sublime power. For us today, understanding the photograph’s impact means examining the cultural and political context of its creation. Primary sources such as period newspapers, travelogues, and government documents, can help us understand the role of art and photography in shaping perceptions of the American West.