Artwork
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is a photography by the Impressionist artist Eadweard J. Muybridge. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Eadweard J.
About this work
The painting shows Yosemite Falls in California, with steep cliffs and rushing water.
The painting shows Yosemite Falls in California, with steep cliffs and rushing water. Muybridge took this photo-like shot with a large camera on a tripod. He climbed high to frame the falls just right.
This was tricky in 1868. Photographers used glass plates that cracked easily. Muybridge solved it by making a wood-and-canvas shelter to shield the camera.
Next time you visit The Cleveland Museum of Art, look for this piece.
Overview
Eadweard J. Muybridge’s 1868 photograph captures the dramatic plunge of Yosemite Falls in California. The image presents the cascade framed by sheer granite cliffs, emphasizing the power of the water as it descends into the valley below. The composition balances the vertical thrust of the falls with the surrounding landscape, offering a clear view of one of the nation’s most celebrated natural spectacles.
Technique & Style
Muybridge employed a large-format camera mounted on a sturdy tripod, a common practice for landscape photography of the era. To protect the fragile glass plate negatives from wind and dust, he constructed a makeshift shelter of wood and canvas around the camera. This adaptation allowed him to achieve a sharp, well-exposed image despite the technical limitations of mid‑19th‑century photographic materials.
History & Provenance
The photograph was taken during Muybridge’s early explorations of the American West, a period when he was experimenting with new ways to document remote scenery. After its creation, the print entered private collections before being acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s photography holdings, illustrating both the artistic and scientific ambitions of early American photography.
Artist & collection
