Read the visual description
The image depicts a rugged landscape with large rock formations dominating the right side. The horizon is situated in the upper third of the image, mostly obscured by towering cliffs. The rock surfaces rise steeply from the water, with varied tones. The water is still, mirroring the cliffs and enhancing the vertical lines. The color palette is monochromatic with sepia tones. In the distance, the cliffs continue, interspersed with shadows.
National Gallery of Art · Photograph
Black Canyon, Colorado River, Looking Below from Big Horn Camp, #4
Timothy H. O'Sullivan
- Date
- 1871
- Medium
- albumen silver print
- Dimensions
- image/sheet: 20.3 × 27.3 cm (8 × 10 3/4 in.) mount: 42.5 × 54.4 cm (16 3/4 × 21 7/16 in.)
- Classification
- Photograph
- Accession number
- 2023.30.117
- Credit line
- Gift of the UBS Art Collection
- Time span
- 1851 to 1875
- Department
- CPH
Subjects and terms
- American
- albumen silver print
- River
- Nature
- Environment
- Montana
- landscape
Provenance
(Charles Isaacs Photographs Inc., New York); Paine Webber & Co., New York, 24 November 1992; UBS, New York, 2000; gift to NGA, 2023.
Inscription
upper left on mount printed in black ink: Explorations in Nevada and Arizona; upper center: WAR DEPARTMENT / CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY; upper right: Expedition of 1871-Lieut. Go. M. Wheeler. Com'd'g.; lower left: T.H.O. Sullivan. Phot.; lower center: BLACK CAÑON, COLORADO RIVER, LOOKING BELOW FROM BIG HORN CAMP.; lower right: No. 4
NGA object ID 226869. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.