Ruins of Cliff Dwellings, Canyon de Chelly

1889

John K. Hillers

Associated Names
John K. Hillers

Artist, American, born Germany, 1843 - 1925

The image shows a steep rock face dominating the composition, viewed from below. The horizon is not visible because the perspective focuses on the towering cliff. At the upper part of the image, there are ruins of ancient dwellings perched on a narrow ledge within the rocky cliff, partially sheltered by a deep recess in the rock. The rock surface texture is detailed with linear striations running diagonally. The color palette is monochromatic, with warm sepia tones. Plants and shrubbery are scattered at the base of the cliff, leading the eye upwards to the distant ruins.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the UBS Art Collection

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 25.5 × 33.7 cm (10 1/16 × 13 1/4 in.)
    mount: 30.1 × 39 cm (11 7/8 × 15 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.30.84


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Sotheby’s New York, 17 April 1991, lot 93); Paine Webber & Co., New York; UBS, New York, 2000; gift to NGA, 2023.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, lower left printed in negative: RUINS OF CLIFF DWELLINGS IN DE CHELLY CANON.


You may be interested in

Loading Results