Gezicht op de Vernalwaterval in de Yosemite Valley before 1868

Carleton Watkins made this photograph of the Vernal Fall in Yosemite Valley, sometime in the 19th century. Watkins's images of the American West were more than just pretty pictures. They played a crucial role in shaping public perception and, ultimately, government policy toward these landscapes. Think about the social and political context of the time. The United States was expanding westward, and there was a growing interest in preserving wilderness areas. Watkins's photographs, with their sublime vision of untouched nature, contributed to the growing conservation movement. His work influenced politicians and the public alike, leading to the establishment of Yosemite as a national park. To understand this image fully, we can look into the archives of the Sierra Club, study government documents related to land use, and consider the writings of early conservationists. By considering the social and institutional contexts, we can better understand the power of art to shape the world around us.