United States, circa 1865
by Carleton Watkins

The American Carleton Watkins was one of the most highly acclaimed 19th century photographers working in the Western United States and was particularly well known as one of the first photographers to take pictures of the Yosemite Valley and the surrounding area. This photograph, of the Three Brothers rock formation reflected in the calm waters of the Merced river, was one of many images that Watkins used to help publicize the beauty of the Yosemite region (and which ultimately helped to persuade the US Congress to pass legislating protecting the area.)