AMERICAN OFFICE

Original works: Carleton E. Watkins 1829–1916

Born in New York, he moved to California, he focused mainly on landscape photography.

His photographs of the Yosemite valley significantly influenced the United States Congress’ decision to preserve it as a National Park.

Watkins often photographed Yosemite and had a profound influence over the politicians debating its preservation as a national park. His photographs did more than just capture the national park; he created an icon. Half Dome, for example, did already exist, but Watkins’ photographs brought it to people in a way that they could experience it. It became iconic through his photographs, became something people wanted to see in person. His images had a more concrete impact on Yosemite becoming a national park than just encouraging people to visit. It is said that Senator John Conness passed Watkins’ photographs around Congress. His photography was also said to have influenced President Abraham Lincoln and was one of the major factors in Lincoln signing the Yosemite Grant in 1864, a bill that declared Yosemite Valley inviolable. The bill paved the way for the 1872 creation of Yellowstone National Park, and the U.S. National Park System in its entirety. One of Yosemite's many mountains is named Mount Watkins in honor of Watkins’ part in preserving Yosemite Valley.

The 1864 bill signed by Lincoln is often seen as the beginning of environmentalism in American politics. In accordance with his influence in preserving Yosemite and the beginning of the National Parks system, Watkins is seen as an important part of that. His photographs captured nature in a way that caught the eye of Americans. He created sublime images of wilderness, pristine landscapes untouched by humans. These images established icons that furthered environmentalist ideals, helping to back claims about preservation.

Watkins kept the majority of his work in a studio on Market Street. This studio was destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, with countless pictures, negatives and the majority of his stereo views. After this horrific loss, he retired to Capay Ranch.

This fine art print is available in small, medium and large. Either framed or unframed and is printed on Canson Archival Paper using 12 colour ultrachrome inks. It can be shipped globally.

Curated and remastered by Pineapple Gallery’s art director Esther D’Amico, CULT is an exclusive collection of fine art prints that bridges classic art history and contemporary living. Explore CULT.

Prints are made to order and ship Australia-wide, tracked, in sturdy packaging. We can’t accept change-of-mind returns on made-to-order prints, but anything that arrives faulty is refunded. Returns policy.