[Yosemite National Park, California] 1876 - 1880

This albumen print, titled “[Yosemite National Park, California]” by Carleton E. Watkins, captures the grandeur of the Yosemite Valley in the late 19th century. Watkins, a pioneer of American landscape photography, utilized a large-format camera to document the natural wonders of the American West, contributing to the growing appreciation for the region's beauty. The image showcases the iconic El Capitan reflected in the calm waters of the Merced River, a striking example of the photographer's skill in capturing the details and scale of the natural world. This circular print, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, remains a testament to Watkins's significant contribution to the history of photography.