Robert Adams: Prairie

These quiet and poignant photographs of the American Prairie and its inhabitants describe a humble perseverance, and a reason for hope.

Black and white photograph of open grasslands with a small cluster of trees and houses in the distance, under a cloudy sky.

Black and white photograph of grain elevators, flanked on the right by an empty road.

A black and white photograph of two children looking out the rear window of a beat up early 1950's Ford pick up truck.

Black and white photograph of two station wagons parked in front of buildings on a dirt road.

A black and white photograph with trees, a wire fence, a tricycle at the left side of the image, a wagon at the right side of the image and a barn in the background.

A black and white photograph of a road, with sky in the first half of the photograph. A telephone pole is in the center left

A black and white photograph of empty fairgrounds with a water tank in the distance and a brightly lit clear sky.

A black and white photograph of a train car, a windowless structure, and silos against a brightly lit sky and telephone wires.

A black and white photograph of a playground with teeter totters, a slide, and a telephone pole with wires. A wooden structure in the background against a bright clear sky.

An empty stage with multiple framed photographs of graduating students, a curtain at the left side of the image and single wooden folding chair at right side of the image.

A vertical black and white photograph of an old wooden church with trees at each side and a clear bright sky.

A vertical black and white photograph of an old wooden church with trees at each side and a cloudy sky.

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Robert Adams: Prairie

These quiet and poignant photographs of the American Prairie and its inhabitants describe a humble perseverance, and a reason for hope.

Robert AdamsRanch. Northeast of Keota, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsElevators. Benkelman, Nebraska

1965

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [39.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsBoys in a pickup. Simla, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 6-3/8 x 6-3/8 inches (sheet) [16.2 x 16.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsLimon, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsFarmyard. South of Arriba, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsNear Peyton, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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Robert AdamsEl Paso County Fairgrounds. Calhan, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsStoneham, Colorado

1966

gelatin silver print, 14 x 15-1/2 inches (mount) [35.6 x 39.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsSchoolyard, Ramah, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsPictures of graduating classes, on a stage at the endof a gymnasium in a consolidated school (closed),New Raymer, Weld County, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsCatholic church, winter. Ramah, Colorado

1965-6

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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Robert AdamsCatholic church, summer. Ramah, Colorado

1965

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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Related Portfolios

Wooden artwork with etchings and ink depicting a road and field with large white cloud

Robert Adams: The Plains, from Memory

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Robert Adams: The Plains, from Memory

Modest in size and painted in springlike hues with block-printing ink, these simplified compositions draw on the stillness and grandeur that Adams remembers from his time spent on the Colorado prairie.

Installation view of painted woodblock depicting a cloud like shape on white wedge on white wall

Color image of wooden sculpture with yellow and green paint — Untitled, 2020

ink on wood, 3-1/2 x 13-3/4 x 3/4 inches [8.8 x 34.9 x 1.9 cm]

Black and white photograph of an empty grassy plain — The Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, 1984

gelatin silver print, 15 x 18-3/8 inches (image) [38.1 x 46.7 cm]

Vertical wooden artwork with etchings and ink depicting field with clear blue sky — Untitled, 2020

ink on wood, 17-1/4 x 11-1/4 x 3/4 inches [43.8 x 28.5 x 1.9 cm]

Color image of painted woodblock depicting horizon with washes of blue, green, and yellow on white stand

Square wooden artwork with etchings and ink depicting a yellow form — Untitled, 2020

ink on wood, 7 x 6-1/2 x 1/2 inches [17.7 x 16.5 x 1.2 cm]

Color photograph of woodblock depicting yellow, white, and blue washed forms on white stand

Framed black and white photograph of a tree against the sky with three wires crossing the lower third of the frame — South of Burns, Oregon, 1999

gelatin silver print, 17-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 36.8 cm]

Color image of wooden sculpture with etchings and swatches of green, yellow, white, and blue — Untitled, 2020

ink on wood, 15-3/4 x 7-1/4 x 3/4 inches [40 x 18.4 x 1.9 cm]

Color image of a wooden sculpture with light blue and white ink — The Plains. Clarkville, Colorado, 2022

ink on wood, 8 x 12 x 3/4 inches [20.3 x 30.5 x 1.9 cm]

Black and white photograph of an empty plain as seen from the porch of an abandoned school — From the front porch of an abandoned one-room school house, looking into the Niobrara River Valley, Dawes County, Nebraska, 1978

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Robert AdamsUntitled

2020

ink on wood, 6-1/2 x 6-1/4 x 1/2 inches [16.5 x 15.8 x 1.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsUntitled

2020

ink on wood, 3-1/2 x 13-3/4 x 3/4 inches [8.8 x 34.9 x 1.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsThe Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

1984

gelatin silver print, 15 x 18-3/8 inches (image) [38.1 x 46.7 cm]

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Robert AdamsUntitled

2020

ink on wood, 17-1/4 x 11-1/4 x 3/4 inches [43.8 x 28.5 x 1.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsUntitled

2020

ink on wood, 7 x 6-1/2 x 1/2 inches [17.7 x 16.5 x 1.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsSouth of Burns, Oregon

1999

gelatin silver print, 17-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (framed) [44.5 x 36.8 cm]

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Robert AdamsUntitled

2020

ink on wood, 15-3/4 x 7-1/4 x 3/4 inches [40 x 18.4 x 1.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsThe Plains. Clarkville, Colorado

2022

ink on wood, 8 x 12 x 3/4 inches [20.3 x 30.5 x 1.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsFrom the front porch of an abandoned one-room school house, looking into the Niobrara River Valley, Dawes County, Nebraska

1978

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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A black and white photograph of an empty street lined with businesses.

Robert Adams: The New West

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Robert Adams: The New West

In a seminal series of images representing the suburban Southwest, Adams shows the brutal squalor of suburban architecture and its effect on the landscape, as well as the hopeful aspects of nature that are beyond our impact.

A black and white photograph overlooking a small town with mountains and clouds in the distance. — Robert Adams, Golden, Colorado, 1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of a billboard advertising Howard Johnson's against pine trees and a river in the foreground. — Robert Adams, Clear Creek, near Idaho Springs, 1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

Black and white photograph of barren intersection with single building on the horizon — Robert Adams, Eden, Colorado, 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

A black and white photograph of trees in an open field, with telephone lines running diagonally through the sky. — Robert Adams, Grazing Land with Pines, near Falcon, Colorado, 1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

Black and white photograph of a stretch of road with businesses and homes leading to the mountains — Robert Adams, Golden, Colorado, 1970 / printed 1972

gelatin silver print, 6 x 6 inches (image & sheet) [15.2 x 15.2 cm]

A black and white photograph of a lone person digging with mountains in the background. — Robert Adams, Basement for a tract house, Colorado Springs, 1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

Robert AdamsAlameda Avenue, Denver

1971

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsGolden, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsClear Creek, near Idaho Springs

1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsEden, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsGrazing Land with Pines, near Falcon, Colorado

1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsGolden, Colorado

1970 / printed 1972

gelatin silver print, 6 x 6 inches (image & sheet) [15.2 x 15.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsBasement for a tract house, Colorado Springs

1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Black and white photograph from inside a house under construction looking onto horizon, a diagonal beam cuts across the image, and a plaid workshirt hangs from the beam.

Robert Adams: Denver

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Robert Adams: Denver

A look at the man-made cityscape, abutted by the magnificent rise of the Rocky Mountains. “Many have asked, pointing incredulously toward a sweep of tract houses and billboards, why picture that?… One reason is…we need to improve things at home, and that to do it we have to see the facts without blinking.” – Robert Adams

A black and white photograph of a line of trees reflected in a pond. — Robert Adams, A Farm Pond about to be Destroyed by Earth Moving Machinery, Northglenn, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Black and white photograph of empty field and residential neighborhood — Robert Adams, Lakewood, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a brightly lit excavated area with a line of houses on the horizon. — Robert Adams, Colorado, ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of three construction workers on the roofs of unfinished houses. — Robert Adams, Colorado, 1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11-1/8 x 13 inches (mount) [28.3 x 33.0 cm]

A black and white photograph of a lone tree and suburban houses against a cloudy sky. — Robert Adams, Longmont, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a suburban house. — Robert Adams, North Denver, Colorado, ca. 1975

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of an industrial area with parking lots and cars. — Robert Adams, Denver, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a pickup truck camper parked in the driveway of a suburban house. — Robert Adams, Denver, Colorado, ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

A black and white photograph of the backyards of suburban houses with an above ground swimming pool in the center and a bill board on the left side. — Robert Adams, Northglenn, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of an apartment building and parked cars in shadow against a clear sky. — Robert Adams, An apartment block. Longmont, Colorado, 1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a river with trees and telephone wires in the background. — Robert Adams, The South Platte River, Adams County, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

Robert AdamsColorado

1973-74 / printed 1974

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsA Farm Pond about to be Destroyed by Earth Moving Machinery, Northglenn, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsLakewood, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsColorado

ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsColorado

1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11-1/8 x 13 inches (mount) [28.3 x 33.0 cm]

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Robert AdamsLongmont, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsNorth Denver, Colorado

ca. 1975

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsDenver, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsDenver, Colorado

ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsNorthglenn, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsAn apartment block. Longmont, Colorado

1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsThe South Platte River, Adams County, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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A black and white photograph with mountains and a bright cloudy sky.

Robert Adams: From the Missouri West

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Robert Adams: From the Missouri West

Looking at rivers, mountains, and flats stretching from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, and our human mark upon the landscape, the artist reveals a deep faith in the strength and tenacity of the land.

A black and white photograph of a road, with grass along either side. A pile of fallen leaves is in the foreground. — Robert Adams, Nebraska State Highway 2. Box Butte County, Nebraska, 1978

gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches (sheet) [40.64 x 50.8 cm]

A black and white photograph of a river bank with leafless trees at the right edge of photograph and an overcast sky. — Robert Adams, Missouri River. Clay County, South Dakota, 1977

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of expansive mountains with trees and a hazy horizon. — Robert Adams, Northeast from Flagstaff Mountain. Boulder County, Colorado, 1975

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of an expansive valley with roads running through it with mountains on the horizon. — Robert Adams, Interstate 80. Carbon County, Wyoming, ca. 1979

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a small lake and a clear sky. — Robert Adams, Alkali Lake. Albany County, Wyoming, 1978

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of leaning trees with no leaves, and tree stumps against a clear sky. — Robert Adams, Cut-over pine forest by the shore, Tillamook County, Oregon, 1979

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph with plants in the foreground and highway with vehicles in the distance. — Robert Adams, Interstate 80. Carbon County, Wyoming, ca. 1979

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a burnt landscape with tree stumps and a hill on the horizon against a cloudy sky. — Robert Adams, Clear-cut and burned, east of Arch Cape, Oregon, 1976

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

Robert AdamsEdge of Green River, Wyoming

1978

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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