Lower Multnomah Falls, Columbia River

1867

Carleton E. Watkins

Associated Names
Carleton E. Watkins

Artist, American, 1829 - 1916

The image shows a waterfall flowing down a cliff surrounded by vegetation. The viewpoint is face-on, highlighting the vertical descent of the waterfall as it drops from the top of the rocky wall into a pool. The horizon appears high in the frame, above the waterfall, with dense greenery. The waterfall is the main focus, contrasting against the rough cliffs. The color scheme is monochromatic, ranging from dark shadows in the stone to lighter areas where the water reflects light. Nearby, there are smooth rocks and pebbles on the ground, along with branches and logs, indicating receded water or a long exposure capturing the stream's flow.

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: 52.3 × 40.7 cm (20 9/16 × 16 in.)
    mount: 70.8 × 55.6 cm (27 7/8 × 21 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.30.156


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Christie’s, New York, 10 October 1991, lot 228); Paine Webber & Co., New York; UBS, New York, 2000; gift to NGA, 2023.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by unknown hand, bottom left on mount in graphite: Lower Multnomah Falls 424; on verso, by unknown hand, lower right in graphite: P79.003


You may be interested in

Loading Results