EXHIBITS
Exploring the West in the Golden Age of Photography: Introduction to Western Photographs
Array
(
[0] => featured
)
Introduction to Western Photographs
The nineteenth and twentieth century American West had a vibrant visual tradition that included paintings, lithographic prints, photographs, “Wild West” shows, rodeos, television, and movies.
The assumption has been that to see the West is to learn its history.
In the 1860s and 1870s, the dominant visual medium of the West was photography, which influenced public opinion. At that time the West was considered an interesting and romantic place, and the public was curious and eager to see images of it.
Skilled photographers competed with one another, enduring the hardships necessary to claim various photographic “firsts.”
It is important to remember, however, that every photographer chooses what to shoot and what not to shoot. Western photographers during this time generally focused on Native Americans, Salt Lake City, railroads, and geologic wonders.
