James King of William. Keyston State etc. Calaveras Grove 1876 - 1880

Carleton E. Watkins's "James King of William. Keyston State etc. Calaveras Grove," a circular albumen print, is a stunning example of 19th-century landscape photography. Taken between 1876 and 1880, the photograph captures the grandeur and scale of the giant sequoia trees in California's Calaveras Grove, showcasing Watkins's mastery of the wet-plate collodion process and his ability to capture the sublime beauty of the natural world. The image, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a testament to Watkins's pioneering work in documenting the American West and its unique landscapes.