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StatsUntitled (AQTDJM)
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Giclée / Art Print
Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (
Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)
P118B $10
P118H $10
P118W $10
P438Z $10
P508JH $12
P508YH $12
P805H $10
P805Z $10
P919BZ $10
P919G $10
P919XJ $10
P959ZH $10
P968JZ $12
W106C $8
W218G $10
W218JH $8
W218Y $10
W307PJ $10
W316G $10
W316PJ $8
W316Y $10
W398PJ $8
W4111J $10
W500HY $15
W500JH $15
W692G $12
W849H $8
W940BG $15
W953PJ $8
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Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.
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Glass option is only available in size under 110 CM
Untitled (AQTDJM)
Giclée / Art Print
Reproduction Size
-
Total Price
$ 81
A Vista of Tranquility: Carleton Watkins’ 1883 Yosemite Landscape
This captivating black and white photograph, *Untitled (AQTDJM)*, by Carleton E. Watkins, transports viewers to the heart of Yosemite Valley in 1883. The scene unfolds with a serene lake mirroring the majestic mountains that rise dramatically in the background. Towering trees line the shore, their forms softened by distance, while snow-capped peaks pierce the sky, creating a breathtaking panorama. Scattered figures populate the landscape, hinting at human interaction with—and reverence for—this natural wonder. A small boat gently rests on the water’s surface, adding to the overall sense of peaceful contemplation.The Master of Yosemite: Watkins and the American Landscape
Carleton Watkins (1829-1916) was a pivotal figure in 19th-century landscape photography. Born in New York and later establishing himself in San Francisco, he became renowned for his large-format photographs of the American West, particularly Yosemite Valley. Watkins’ work wasn't merely documentation; it was an artistic interpretation that profoundly influenced public perception of these landscapes. His images played a crucial role in advocating for the preservation of Yosemite, ultimately contributing to its designation as a national park. This photograph exemplifies his mastery of the collodion wet-plate process, requiring meticulous preparation and execution in the field. The resulting detail and tonal range are remarkable, capturing the grandeur and subtlety of the natural world with unparalleled clarity.Technique & Emotional Resonance
Watkins employed a large-format camera and the laborious wet collodion process to create this image. This involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals *immediately* before exposure, demanding speed and precision. The resulting photographs are characterized by their incredible detail, tonal richness, and expansive depth of field. The composition in *Untitled (AQTDJM)* is carefully balanced; the lake acts as a reflective plane, doubling the impact of the mountains and sky. The inclusion of human figures provides scale and invites viewers to imagine themselves within this idyllic setting. The overall effect is one of profound tranquility and awe – a feeling that resonates deeply even today.A Legacy of Preservation & Artistic Inspiration
Watkins’ photographs weren't just aesthetically pleasing; they were instrumental in shaping the conservation movement. His images, widely circulated through exhibitions and publications, demonstrated the sublime beauty of Yosemite to Congress and President Lincoln, leading to its protection in 1864. Today, reproductions of his work continue to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. This particular photograph, with its harmonious composition and evocative atmosphere, is an ideal addition to any collection – offering not only a stunning visual experience but also a connection to a pivotal moment in American art and environmental history.Questions & Answers
What saturation and intensity does "Untitled (AQTDJM)" by Carleton Watkins show?
The colors of "Untitled (AQTDJM)" by Carleton Watkins show a subtle color saturation with a balanced intensity.
What luminance does "Untitled (AQTDJM)" by Carleton Watkins have?
The colors of "Untitled (AQTDJM)" show a bright balance luminance.
How does "Untitled (AQTDJM)" fit into Carleton Watkins's themes and style?
"Untitled (AQTDJM)" shares with Carleton Watkins's other works its American Landscape Painting style and the recorded themes: american romanticism, hudson river school, landscape sublime", westward expansion, nature's grandeur, conservationist views, watkins' legacy, photographic pioneer.
Artist Biography
Carleton Watkins: Pioneer of Landscape Photography
Early Life and Origins (1829-1851)
- Born: November 11, 1829, in Oneonta, New York.
- Carleton E. Watkins was the eldest of eight children born to John and Julia Watkins, a carpenter and an innkeeper respectively.
- He enjoyed a rural upbringing, developing skills as a hunter and fisherman, and participating in local activities like the glee club and Presbyterian church choir.
- In 1851, driven by the allure of fortune, Watkins journeyed to San Francisco with his childhood friend, Collis Huntington.
Early Career & Photographic Beginnings (1851-1861)
- Though initially unsuccessful in finding gold, both Watkins and Huntington found success in their respective fields.
- Watkins began working as a supply deliverer for mining operations before becoming a store clerk at George Murray’s bookstore.
- A pivotal moment: An unexpected vacancy at the studio of daguerreotypist Robert H. Vance led Watkins to an apprenticeship, despite having no prior photographic experience.
- He quickly mastered the art form, surpassing his instructor and establishing a reputation for quality work.
- By 1858, Watkins established his own photography business, undertaking commissions like illustrating California for James Mason Hutchings and documenting mining estates.
Yosemite & the Mammoth Plate Era (1861-1867)
- The turning point: In July 1861, Watkins traveled to Yosemite Valley, equipped with his mammoth-plate camera (using 18x22 inch glass plates) and a stereoscopic camera.
- He captured some of the first detailed photographs of Yosemite, showcasing its grandeur to an eastern audience.
- These images were instrumental in convincing Congress to preserve Yosemite Valley as a national park – a testament to the power of visual documentation.
- In 1864, he was commissioned by the California State Geological Survey to photograph Yosemite.
- He opened his first public gallery in 1867 and exhibited at the Universal Exposition in Paris, earning a medal for his work.
Success, Setbacks & Later Life (1867-1916)
- Watkins’ “Yosemite Art Gallery” displayed over a hundred large Pacific Coast views and thousands of stereoscopic images.
- Business Challenges: Despite artistic success, Watkins struggled with business management and lost his gallery to creditor J.J. Cook, who then reproduced his work without credit due to the lack of copyright laws for photographs at the time.
- He responded by creating a “New Series” of images, attempting to reclaim his artistic vision.
- Watkins married Frances Sneed in 1879 and had two children: Julia (born 1881) and Collis (born 1883).
- Progressive eyesight loss hampered his work in the 1890s, culminating in an inability to complete a commission from Phoebe Hearst.
Final Years & Legacy
- Financial hardship led the Watkins family to live in a railroad car for eighteen months.
- The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire destroyed his studio, along with countless photographs and negatives.
- Watkins retired to Capay Ranch and was declared incompetent in 1910, entering the Napa State Hospital for the Insane.
- Death: He died in 1916 and was buried in an unmarked grave on hospital grounds.
- Watkins’ legacy endures as a pioneer of landscape photography, whose images not only captured the beauty of the American West but also played a crucial role in its preservation.
Carleton Watkins
1829 - 1916
Quick Facts
- Name: Carleton Watkins
- Movement: American Landscape Photography
- Birth Date: November 11, 1829
- Death Date: 1916
- Influenced: United States conservation efforts
- Birth Place: Oneonta, New York
- Nationality: American
- Date Of Birth: 1829
- Date Of Death: 1916
- Influenced By: Robert H. Vance
- Notable Works:
- The Devil
- Pohono, Bridal Veil, 900 Feet, Yosemite
- Castle Rock, Columbia River
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