Gezicht op Sierra Nevada, Californië before 1886

This is a photograph of the Sierra Nevada in California, taken by George Fiske sometime between 1870 and 1900. Fiske moved to Yosemite Valley in 1879 and dedicated himself to capturing its landscape. In a time of westward expansion and growing environmental consciousness, Fiske’s photographs played a role in shaping perceptions of the American West. His images helped fuel the romantic idea of untouched wilderness, even as settlement and industry were changing these landscapes forever. As a white photographer, Fiske's perspective was part of a larger historical context of how the West was perceived and represented, often overshadowing the experiences and perspectives of Native American populations who had long inhabited these lands. These photographs invite us to consider our own relationship with nature and the legacy of those who came before us. It also forces us to think about who gets to tell the story of the land.