Gezicht op Yerba Buena Island vanaf Telegraph Hill, San Francisco 1871 - 1891

Editor: Here we have Carleton Watkins' gelatin-silver print, “View of Yerba Buena Island from Telegraph Hill, San Francisco,” created sometime between 1871 and 1891. There's such a hazy, dreamlike quality to it; the ships look like ghostly apparitions against the water. What grabs your attention most when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, you've touched on its spirit! It's the stillness, isn't it? A quiet that feels… charged. I'm drawn to the contrast between the anchored ships, these sturdy testaments to commerce and travel, and Yerba Buena Island, adrift in the misty distance. It almost feels as though time is holding its breath. It makes me wonder about the stories those ships carried, what dreams they sailed with into that shimmering haze. And how much of the bay was lost when Treasure Island was made to connect with Yerba Buena? What do you make of the composition? Editor: The ships definitely create a sense of depth, like a stage set leading our eyes to the island backdrop. I didn’t catch the charged quiet aspect though. Curator: Watkins had a keen eye for balance; he frames the scene in a way that is pleasing and also a bit mysterious. I am also curious as to why he printed it as a stereographic card - do you see two nearly identical images here? This hints at Watkins creating these photographs for middle-class families to buy so they may get a small sense of depth while looking at a still image. How do you think photography like this changed people’s perception of the West? Editor: I suppose seeing the actual landscape, even in a grainy image, would bring it to life in a way paintings couldn't. It makes the frontier seem more real, and maybe more accessible. Curator: Exactly! It democratized the idea of the West, making it feel tangible and achievable for those who might otherwise only dream of it. A little magic, a little realism, all in one sepia-toned frame. Editor: That's a great way to put it - thanks for shedding light on this!