Aspens, Northern New Mexico
Artist: Ansel Easton Adams (American, 1902-1984)
Date: 1958
Dimensions:
image: 19 5/16 x 15 5/16 in. (49.1 x 13.5 cm)
mount: 28 x 22 in. (71.1 x 55.9 cm)
Medium: Gelatin-silver print
Classification: Photographs
Credit Line: Purchased with funds given by an anonymous donor
Object number: 1975.5
Label Text:While driving on a highway near the crest of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside of Santa Fe, Ansel Adams came across a stand of young aspen trees in mellow gold light: “We were in the shadow of the mountains, the light was cool and quiet and no wind was stirring. The forest floor was covered with a tangle of russet shrubs. It was very quiet and visually soft… .” It would have made an acceptable color photograph; however Adams was shooting black and white.
I visualized the image as stronger, in accordance with the mood of the hour and place…I do not consider them “pretty” scenes; for me they are cool and aloof and rather stately. I cannot demand that anyone receive from the image just what was in my visualization at the time of exposure. I believe that if I am able to express what I saw and felt, the image will contain qualities that may provide a basis for imaginative response by the viewer.
I visualized the image as stronger, in accordance with the mood of the hour and place…I do not consider them “pretty” scenes; for me they are cool and aloof and rather stately. I cannot demand that anyone receive from the image just what was in my visualization at the time of exposure. I believe that if I am able to express what I saw and felt, the image will contain qualities that may provide a basis for imaginative response by the viewer.
Not on view
In Collection(s)