Richard Misrach: Desert Cantos

Begun in 1979, this ongoing project explores the southwest American desert landscape, and the impact of our human presence. As the artist explains, “You look at landscape, but it’s not really landscape, it’s a symbol for our country, it’s a metaphor for our country.”

Color photograph of a beach with a mountain range on the horizon under a sky filled with long-exposure curved star-trails

Color photograph of scattered rocks and blocks across a road leading towards two pyramids on the horizon

Color photograph of telephone poles, decrepit trailer homes, and vehicles partly submerged in still water

Color photograph of a man pointing a rifle at another man, both standing in a smokey scrubland

Color photograph of a low mountain range reflected in still water at sunset

Color photograph of a rusted piece of metal sticking out of the ground at an angle in a bare field with two small buildings in the background

Color photograph of desert horizon at night with light trails from stars in dark walnut frame

Color photograph of a road through a desert valley with mountains on the horizon

Color photograph of a still lake reflecting a cloudy sky and low mountains on the horizon

Color photograph of a smoke-filled sky above a fenced-in house and fields

Color photograph of a lone figure walking along a beach shrouded in mist

Color photograph of five black structures on the horizon rising above the waters of a calm sea

Color photograph of four people drifting towards the horizon on a raft on a calm sea

Color photograph of a desert field with a car and small aircraft, and four oversized croquet balls.

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Richard Misrach: Desert Cantos

Richard MisrachUnnamed Playa (Exposure by Moonlight)

1994

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachRoad Blockade and Pyramids

1989

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachSubmerged Trailer-Home, Salton Sea

1985

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachDesert Fire #153

1984

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachPyramid Lake (Orange)

1997

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachAerial Target (“Dart”), Wendover Air Base, Utah

1990

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachSevier Dry Lake by Moonlight, Utah

1998

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (sheet & mount) [76.2 x 94 cm]

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Richard MisrachSan Gorgonio Pass

1981

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachMono Lake #2

1999

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachDesert Fire #43

1983

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachMan on Beach (Looking South), Santa Barbara

1984

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachOil Derricks, Santa Barbara

1984

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachPeople on Raft with Oil Derricks, Santa Barbara

1984

pigment print, 30 x 37 inches (mount) [76.2 x 94.0 cm]

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Richard MisrachDesert Croquet #3 (Balls, Plane, Car), Black Rock Desert, Nevada

1987

pigment print, 20 x 24 inches (mount) [50.8 x 61 cm]

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Richard MisrachCloud #603

2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Related Portfolios

Framed color photograph of the blue surface of the ocean.

Richard Misrach: On The Beach 2.0

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Richard Misrach: On The Beach 2.0

An ongoing series exploring the abstracted pattern of an edgeless ocean surface, and the gestures and expressions of bathers adrift in the water.

Color photograph of a couple embracing in an expanse of water. — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 11, 2012 12:26 PM) [The Kiss #2] framed, 2012

pigment print, 63-1/2 x 82-7/8 inches (framed) [161.3 x 210.5 cm]

Framed color photograph of a surfer falling in the breaking wave. — Richard Misrach, Icarus Suite #91, 2016

pigment print, 47 x 122 inches (framed) [119.4 x 309.9 cm]

Color photograph of a lone windsurfer on a choppy silver sea — Richard Misrach, Windsurfer, Hawaii, 2008

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of ocean water being reflected by the sun framed in bleached wood frame — Richard Misrach, Untitled (January 29, 2018, 3:13PM), 2018

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 116-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 × 295.9 cm]

Color aerial photograph of water framed in bleached wood — Richard Misrach, Sea #7, 2021

pigment print, 52-1/4 x 77-1/4 inches (framed) [133 x 196 cm]

Color photograph of two people in water doing acrobats taken from above in bleached wooden frame — Richard Misrach, Untitled (Acrobat Super Grid #8), 2012

pigment print, 63-5/8 x 83-5/8 inches (framed) [161.6 x 212.4 cm]

Color photograph of small waves and ripples on the surface of green water — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 18, 2013, 4:00PM), 2013

pigment print, 60-3/4 x 122 inches (framed) [154.3 x 310.0cm]

Color photograph of two men standing in knee-deep water near the shore of a calm sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (November 10, 2012 5:53PM), 2012

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of two women floating while holding hands on a calm, green ocean surface — Richard Misrach, Untitled (July 26, 2013, 5:21PM), 2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color long-exposure blurred photograph of a sandy beach with rocks, two people, and moving waves — Richard Misrach, Untitled (January 17, 2015 6:36PM)

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Color photograph of ripples and waves on the dark green surface of a sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (Blackwater 7), 2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

Richard MisrachUntitled (July 14, 2016 2:38 PM)

2016

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 100-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 x 255.3 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 11, 2012 12:26 PM) [The Kiss #2] framed

2012

pigment print, 63-1/2 x 82-7/8 inches (framed) [161.3 x 210.5 cm]

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Richard MisrachIcarus Suite #91

2016

pigment print, 47 x 122 inches (framed) [119.4 x 309.9 cm]

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Richard MisrachWindsurfer, Hawaii

2008

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (January 29, 2018, 3:13PM)

2018

pigment print, 62-1/2 × 116-1/2 inches (framed) [158.8 × 295.9 cm]

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Richard MisrachSea #7

2021

pigment print, 52-1/4 x 77-1/4 inches (framed) [133 x 196 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (Acrobat Super Grid #8)

2012

pigment print, 63-5/8 x 83-5/8 inches (framed) [161.6 x 212.4 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 18, 2013, 4:00PM)

2013

pigment print, 60-3/4 x 122 inches (framed) [154.3 x 310.0cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (November 10, 2012 5:53PM)

2012

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (July 26, 2013, 5:21PM)

2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (January 17, 2015 6:36PM)

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (Blackwater 7)

2013

pigment print, 62-3/4 x 82-3/4 inches (framed) [159.4 x 210.2 cm]

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Color photograph of a tall metal and concrete fence receding into the misty horizon on the right

Richard Misrach: Border Cantos

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Richard Misrach: Border Cantos

This latest installation in Misrach’s ongoing Desert Cantos series explores the entire length of the US/Mexico border, in photographs made with a large-format camera as well as images captured with an iPhone.

Color photograph of a segment of tall metal fence in the middle of a bare field — Richard Misrach, Wall, Near Los Indios, Texas, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a metal fence running over a landscape of rocky hills and low green bushes into the horizon — Richard Misrach, Wall, Tierra Del Sol, California, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tall metal fence segment ending in a bare dirt patch among low-lying trees and plants — Richard Misrach, Wall, Brownsville, Texas, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a metal fence made of X-shaped crossbars running through a hilly desert landscape — Richard Misrach, Normandy Wall Near Ocotillo, California, 2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tattered blue flag standing next to a blue barrel marked AGUA in a desert landscape — Richard Misrach, Agua#1, near Calexico, California, 2014

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

Color photograph of a tall metal fence running into the ocean from the beach, with beach goers visible through the bars — Richard Misrach, Playas de Tijuana #1 (Crowded Beach), San Diego, California, 2013

pigment print, 45 x 161-1/2 inches (framed) [114.3 x 410.2 cm]

Color photograph of scattered red ammunition casings lying on a bare cracked ground — Richard Misrach, Shell Casings #36, near Gulf of Mexico, Texas, 2014

pigment print, 17-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 57.2 cm]

Color photograph of a woman looking through and obscured by a metal lattice and fence posts — Richard Misrach, Veronical, Friendship Circle, San Diego, California, 2013

pigment print, 80-3/4 x 61 inches (framed) [213.5 x 163 cm]

Richard MisrachPost and Wire Mesh Fence, Douglas, Arizona

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Near Los Indios, Texas

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Tierra Del Sol, California

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachWall, Brownsville, Texas

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachNormandy Wall Near Ocotillo, California

2015

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachAgua#1, near Calexico, California

2014

pigment print, 61 x 80-3/4 inches (framed) [154.9 x 205.1 cm]

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Richard MisrachPlayas de Tijuana #1 (Crowded Beach), San Diego, California

2013

pigment print, 45 x 161-1/2 inches (framed) [114.3 x 410.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachShell Casings #36, near Gulf of Mexico, Texas

2014

pigment print, 17-1/2 x 22-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 57.2 cm]

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Richard MisrachVeronical, Friendship Circle, San Diego, California

2013

pigment print, 80-3/4 x 61 inches (framed) [213.5 x 163 cm]

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Framed color photograph of the seashore, with people in the water and on the sand

Richard Misrach: On the Beach

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Richard Misrach: On the Beach

Photographed from a distant, raised vantage point, Misrach’s images pose the mote-sized human figure against a looming and abstract pattern of sand and ocean waves, exploring the tension between control and release.

Color aerial photograph of scattered swimmers in a shallow blue-green sea near the shore — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#354-03), 2003

pigment print, 53 x 115-1/2 inches (framed) [135 x 294 cm]

Color photograph of a person floating on their back in shallow blue-green water near the shore — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#892-03), 2003

pigment print, 61 x 123 inches (framed) [154.9 x 312.4 cm]

Color photograph of the surface of a calm blue ocean — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#454-03), 2003

pigment print, 53-1/4 x 120 inches (framed) [135 x 305 cm]

Color aerial photograph of two people curled up on a sandy beach near the waterline — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#591-04), 2004

pigment print, 65-1/4 x 122-1/2 inches (framed) [165.7 x 285.8 cm]

Two color photographs of two people lying on towels on the beach near the waterline of a calm sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#172-04/170-04), 2004

two pigment prints, 48 x 115 inches (framed) [121.9 x 293.3 cm]

Color aerial photograph of beach-goers reclining on blankets on a sandy yellow beach — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#13-02), 2002

pigment print, 53-1/2 x 123-1/2 inches (framed) [136 x 313 cm]

Color photograph of the rippled surface of a dark blue sea — Richard Misrach, Untitled (#114-03), 2003

pigment print, 51-3/4 x 122-5/8 inches (framed) [131.5 x 311.6 cm]

Richard MisrachUntitled (#354-03)

2003

pigment print, 53 x 115-1/2 inches (framed) [135 x 294 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#892-03)

2003

pigment print, 61 x 123 inches (framed) [154.9 x 312.4 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#454-03)

2003

pigment print, 53-1/4 x 120 inches (framed) [135 x 305 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#591-04)

2004

pigment print, 65-1/4 x 122-1/2 inches (framed) [165.7 x 285.8 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#172-04/170-04)

2004

two pigment prints, 48 x 115 inches (framed) [121.9 x 293.3 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#13-02)

2002

pigment print, 53-1/2 x 123-1/2 inches (framed) [136 x 313 cm]

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Richard MisrachUntitled (#114-03)

2003

pigment print, 51-3/4 x 122-5/8 inches (framed) [131.5 x 311.6 cm]

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Color photograph of the distant Golden Gate Bridge under a linear break in the clouds

Richard Misrach: Golden Gate Bridge

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Richard Misrach: Golden Gate Bridge

Photographed over several years from an unchanging vantage point, the series offers a meditation on the light, color, and atmosphere which transcend a fixed and familiar view.