Gezicht op El Capitan en de Cathedral Rock in de Yosemite Valley before 1868

Editor: So, here we have Carleton Watkins's "Gezicht op El Capitan en de Cathedral Rock in de Yosemite Valley," made before 1868. It's an albumen print, and honestly, I'm struck by how…serene it feels. Like a captured memory. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Serenity is a good word. Notice how Watkins uses light and shadow. Doesn't it remind you of the concept of the sublime? The vastness of nature, the smallness of man. Think about what El Capitan and Cathedral Rock would have meant symbolically. These natural monuments stood for permanence and endurance, a stark contrast to the rapid changes happening in America at the time, like westward expansion. Editor: That makes sense. There's almost a timeless quality. Were photographs viewed differently back then? Curator: Absolutely. Photography in the 19th century, particularly landscape photography, wasn’t just documentation. It was often about establishing a cultural narrative. Think of the images as icons. They spoke to the promise of the American West, manifest destiny, the idea of a new Eden. Watkins presents these natural structures almost as if they are divine, untouched spaces. Do you see how the reflections in the water enhance that sense of stillness and idealized beauty? Editor: Definitely, the reflection adds to that feeling. I hadn't considered the political and social context influencing how viewers saw something like this. It makes the photograph a lot richer. Curator: Exactly. These images reinforced particular understandings and imaginings of the land and the people connected to it. Looking at photographs this way, how does that shift your initial understanding of it being “serene”? Editor: It adds a layer of complexity. It’s not just a pretty landscape. It's a statement. I’m glad I got to explore this from a more cultural and symbolic lens! Curator: Indeed! It prompts a different dialogue when we recognize these images as powerful carriers of meaning and cultural memory.