Merced River, Cliffs, Autumn, Yosemite Valley, California c. 1939 - 1980

This gelatin silver print, Merced River, Cliffs, Autumn, Yosemite Valley, California, was created by Ansel Adams. The composition organizes the landscape into distinct layers. First, the river occupies the lower third of the frame, its still surface reflecting the sky and trees like a mirror, creating a doubling effect. The forest, dense with trees, establishes a middle ground, while a massive, imposing cliff face looms in the background. Adams masterfully employs light and shadow to sculpt the forms of the landscape, which enhances the textures of the rock and foliage. The photograph captures a moment of serene beauty, but it also speaks to the sublime power of nature, and a Romantic sensibility, through the representation of grandeur and awe. The photograph invites viewers to contemplate their place within the natural world. The interplay of light, texture, and form invites us to explore the relationships between reality and representation, nature and culture.