Cathedral Rock, River View 1861

Carleton Watkins created this albumen print, Cathedral Rock, River View, sometime in the late 19th century. The photograph's composition invites us into a serene yet monumental landscape. Watkins masterfully uses light and shadow to define the forms within the frame. The monolithic Cathedral Rock dominates the background, its sheer verticality softened by the play of light across its surface. This rock formation isn't just a geological feature; it becomes a symbol of nature's sublime power. The foreground, with its reflective river and lush trees, acts as a counterpoint to the rock's austere presence. The composition is structured to draw the eye upward, creating a sense of awe and reverence. In its time, this image would also have been seen as an emblem of manifest destiny, with its focus on land and space. Watkins's photograph functions on multiple levels—as a documentation of the American West and a meditation on the relationship between humanity and nature.