Yosemite Valley from Union Point 1870 - 1874

Carleton Watkins made this albumen print, "Yosemite Valley from Union Point," capturing the sublime beauty of the American West. Watkins' photographs were instrumental in convincing Congress to designate Yosemite as a national park in 1864, a landmark decision in American conservation history. However, this image also obscures a more complex narrative. Watkins’ photographs, while celebrating the natural beauty of Yosemite, contributed to the displacement and erasure of the native people who had lived there for centuries. The forced removal of indigenous communities to create a pristine, uninhabited wilderness, which Watkins helped define, is a poignant reminder of the intertwined histories of environmentalism and colonialism. As we admire the grandeur of Yosemite through Watkins' lens, let's reflect on the stories and experiences of those whose connection to this land was violently severed. Think about how this photograph invites us to consider the complicated relationship between preservation, representation, and justice.