[Yosemite National Park, California] 1876 - 1880

Carleton E. Watkins, a prominent American photographer, captured the grandeur of Yosemite National Park in this 1876-1880 albumen print, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Using a large-format camera, Watkins created a panoramic view, showcasing the dramatic landscape of Yosemite Valley. The circular format highlights the vastness of the natural world, with a wooden bridge leading the viewer’s eye into the deep valley below. This photograph is a testament to Watkins’s pioneering work in documenting the American West and showcasing the beauty of its natural wonders.