San Jacinto Mountains Sequence 1985

Richard Misrach’s photograph depicts a landscape in the San Jacinto Mountains, captured with a large-format camera. Misrach is known for photographing the American West, particularly the desert, focusing on themes such as environmental degradation, human intervention in the landscape, and the sublime. In the US, from the 1970s onwards, the sublime became associated with concerns about the environment and wilderness preservation, as seen in the rise of environmental movements, conservation efforts, and legislation aimed at protecting natural resources. Here, the desolation may serve as a commentary on environmental issues and human impact. This series is part of a larger body of work that critiques the traditional romanticization of the American West, presenting a more complex view that includes ecological damage. To interpret this image more fully, we might consult environmental studies, historical surveys of land use in the American West, and critical analyses of landscape photography. In doing so, we can better understand how the artist challenges established views of the sublime.