Father of the Forest 1865 - 1866

Editor: Here we have Carleton Watkins' "Father of the Forest," a gelatin silver print from between 1865 and 1866. I’m struck by the sheer scale of the trees, and the ladder really emphasizes that. What significance do you see in this work, especially considering the time it was made? Curator: This image is so evocative! Watkins created it during a period of intense debate about land use in the American West. The Yosemite Grant of 1864, which preceded this photo, aimed to protect the valley. But Watkins's images did more than just document the landscape. Editor: How so? Curator: They shaped public perception. His photographs, including this one, were exhibited and widely circulated, contributing to the romanticization of the West. The sublime grandeur suggested inherent value. Consider the placement of the ladder; is that a practical tool or does it imply something more? Editor: Perhaps it implies a desire to "measure" nature, an assertion of human presence. So, you are saying it played a part in encouraging the idea of conservation, but simultaneously suggested human dominance? Curator: Exactly. These images became powerful tools in advocating for national parks, pushing a specific vision of nature: monumental, pristine, and available for controlled access. But the narrative of untouched wilderness often sidelined Indigenous land claims. Do you see how images can shape a cultural landscape beyond just mirroring reality? Editor: Definitely. It’s interesting to see how Watkins' work helped frame the debate and solidified a certain vision of the West. Curator: And how that vision, while seemingly benevolent in its conservationist goals, was deeply embedded in the politics of the time. Thinking about the socio-political effects gives the picture more depth than only the aesthetic experience. Editor: I'll remember that the next time I wander through the Met. Thanks!