Carleton E. Watkins

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Ninteteenth century photograph of cliffs and a waterfall, with water in the foreground reflecting the landscape

Carleton E. Watkins: Selected Views

Carleton E. Watkins: Selected Views

Measuring approximately 15 x 20 inches, Watkins’s large format albumen prints were among the largest photographs of their time. His masterful compositions of sweeping vistas and majestic waterfalls inspired land preservation efforts in the western U.S., including the creation of the National Park System. Other commissioned projects offer some of the earliest depictions of complex development of California, and the burgeoning industrialization of the mid-Columbia River.

Ninteteenth century photograph of lightly forested fields with the Pacific Ocean in the background — Carleton E. Watkins, City of Mendocino, 1863

mammoth plate albumen print, 21-5/8 x 26-3/4 inches (mount) [54.9 x 68 cm]

Black and white photograph of a waterfall — Carleton E. Watkins, Multnomah Falls, Columbia River, 1867

mammoth-plate albumen print, 20 x 16 inches (image & sheet) [50.8 x 40.6 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a steam ship at a pier on a river with a mountain in the background — Carleton E. Watkins, Steamer “Cascade,” at the Lower Landing, 1867

mammoth plate albumen print, 21-1/2 x 27 inches (mount) [54.6 x 63.8 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a waterfall between stone cliffsides — Carleton E. Watkins, Upper Yosemite Falls, View from Eagle Point Trail, Yosemite, 1878-81

mammoth plate albumen print, 25-5/8 x 19-3/4 inches (mount) [65.1 x 50.2 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a large waterfall, coming off a cliff — Carleton E. Watkins, Piwyac, Vernal Fall, 350 ft. [Yo-Semite Valley, Cal. No. 44], ca. 1864-66

mammoth plate albumen print, 27-1/2 x 21-1/2 inches (mount) [69.9 x 54.6 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of lightly forested fields with the Pacific Ocean in the background

Carleton E. WatkinsCity of Mendocino

1863

mammoth plate albumen print, 21-5/8 x 26-3/4 inches (mount) [54.9 x 68 cm]

Black and white photograph of a waterfall

Carleton E. WatkinsMultnomah Falls, Columbia River

1867

mammoth-plate albumen print, 20 x 16 inches (image & sheet) [50.8 x 40.6 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a steam ship at a pier on a river with a mountain in the background

Carleton E. WatkinsSteamer “Cascade,” at the Lower Landing

1867

mammoth plate albumen print, 21-1/2 x 27 inches (mount) [54.6 x 63.8 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a waterfall between stone cliffsides

Carleton E. WatkinsUpper Yosemite Falls, View from Eagle Point Trail, Yosemite

1878-81

mammoth plate albumen print, 25-5/8 x 19-3/4 inches (mount) [65.1 x 50.2 cm]

Ninteteenth century photograph of a large waterfall, coming off a cliff

Carleton E. WatkinsPiwyac, Vernal Fall, 350 ft. [Yo-Semite Valley, Cal. No. 44]

ca. 1864-66

mammoth plate albumen print, 27-1/2 x 21-1/2 inches (mount) [69.9 x 54.6 cm]