Robert Adams

American, born 1937

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See all 359 works of art
The image shows a view of a desolate beach extending into the distance. The horizon line is high in the image, meeting a line of mist-covered mountains. In the foreground, a large piece of driftwood and scattered pebbles lay on the textured sand. The beach extends to the left, fading into foliage and more driftwood. Water to the right contrasts with the sand, with a rippled surface. The palette is monochromatic, using shades of gray for a somber visual impression.
Robert Adams, The River’s Edge, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.10

The River’s Edge

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.10
The image shows a landscape scene captured from a low vantage point near a sandy shore. Shallow water creates reflective patterns and the horizon features a dense line of trees and scattered driftwood against an overcast sky. The photo is in monochrome, emphasizing shades of grey transitioning between the trees and the sky. The image conveys a sense of stillness with varying textures where water meets sand and the landscape's contours.
Robert Adams, The River’s Edge, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.13

The River’s Edge

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.13
The image shows a low-angle view of a vast, flat beach with an expansive sky. The horizon divides the image into two sections, with waves on the sea. The sea and sky meet seamlessly, creating a sense of openness. The photo is in black and white, giving a timeless quality. The sand and sea are calm and reflective, mirroring the sky. The color palette is various shades of gray, with soft contrasts. The overall effect is serene, minimalist, and focuses on the natural landscape's quiet beauty.
Robert Adams, The Sea Beach, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.25

The Sea Beach

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.25
The image shows a beach with footprints and a piece of driftwood in the foreground. The beach extends into the distance with tire tracks on the right side. The horizon is high in the image, with soft hills outlining the left side. The color palette is monochrome with shades of gray, depicting the sand, ocean, and sky. The sky is mostly clear with scattered clouds.
Robert Adams, The Sea Beach, Albatross, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.31

The Sea Beach, Albatross

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.31
The image shows a landscape with tall grass and shrubs in the foreground on rolling terrain. In the distance are mountains partially covered by clouds, with the horizon high in the frame. The scene is in monochrome, emphasizing the textures and depth of the image.
Robert Adams, The Interior of the Spit, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.20

The Interior of the Spit

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.20
The image shows a sandy beach with a tree stump in the foreground, slightly to the right of the center. In the background, there are dense trees on a hill forming the horizon. The sky is clear above the trees. The photo is in black and white, emphasizing textures and contrasts. There are driftwood pieces on the sand.
Robert Adams, The River’s Edge, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.4

The River’s Edge

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.4
The image shows a beach looking out at the ocean. The horizon is low in the frame, separating the dark sea from the sky filled with large clouds. The sun shines through the clouds, casting a glow on the water. The brushstrokes are smooth. The color palette is monochromatic with shades of gray. Some sand and foam are visible, leading the eye towards the water and horizon.
Robert Adams, The Sea Beach, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.33

The Sea Beach

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.33
This image shows a ground-level view of a landscape stretching into the distance. The horizon is two-thirds up the image, defined by a range of hills with trees. The scene uses varying tones of gray, with grassy terrain in the foreground blending into the soft hills and trees in the background.
Robert Adams, The Interior of the Spit, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.18

The Interior of the Spit

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.18
The image displays a large tree stump in the center of a sandy shoreline. The horizon is low, with the beach meeting the water, leading to a line of land merging with the sky. In the background, hills gradually rise, hinting at mountains covered by trees or vegetation. The landscape is depicted in black and white, creating a timeless ambiance. The textures and details of the stump and the surroundings are highlighted by the monochrome palette. Overall, the composition is simple and serene, guiding the eye from the stump to the distant landscape.
Robert Adams, The River’s Edge, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.3

The River’s Edge

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.3
The image shows a black and white photograph taken from a ground-level point of view. To the left is a large, weather-worn tree log on the grass. On the right, a small figure is standing next to the log, wearing a dark jacket and hat. The horizon sits just above the waterline in the distance, dividing the water from a tree-lined shore and low hills under a cloudy sky. The scene is tranquil, with diverse textures in the grass, log, and clouds adding visual interest. The photograph conveys a sense of openness under a cloudy sky, with the log and figure serving as focal points in the expansive landscape.
Robert Adams, The River’s Edge, 2015, gelatin silver print, Gift of Stephen G. Stein, 2020.29.2

The River’s Edge

Robert Adams · 2015 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.29.2

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Bibliography

1980

  • Adams, Robert. From the Missouri West: Photographs by Robert Adams. Millerton, New York, 1980.

1981

  • Adams, Robert. Beauty in Photography: Essays in Defense of Traditional Values. Millerton, New York, 1981.

1989

  • To Make It Home: Photographs of the American West. Exh. cat. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia and Millerton, New York, 1989.

  • Ref Number: 1989.483.
    Greenough.1989.483.