Empire State. C. Grove 1876 - 1880

Carleton E. Watkins's "Empire State. C. Grove," a circular albumen print, is a striking example of his landscape photography. Captured between 1876 and 1880, the photograph showcases the immense scale and beauty of a giant sequoia in California's Calaveras Grove. Watkins's use of a wide-angle lens emphasizes the tree's grandeur, dwarfing the surrounding forest and highlighting the intricate details of its bark. The image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring natural wonders of the American West and Watkins's mastery of capturing their majesty.