Creating the West: the Photography of Carleton Watkins

Critic and podcast host Tyler Green explores the life of the great American photographer whose work helped to invent the American West.

Widely considered to be the most important American photographer of the nineteenth century, Carleton Watkins is best known for his pictures of Yosemite Valley and the nearby Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. When his photographs were exhibited in New York in 1862, they played a key role in tying the West to the Union, and would eventually inspire Congress to pass legislation to preserve Yosemite as a park—the first act of landscape preservation in the world. The work helped drive the great Westward expansion of American capital, as Watkins’s friends and patrons—many of them titans of the Gilded Age—were inspired by the beauty and promise of his images.

Drawing on recent scholarship and fresh archival discoveries, Tyler Green reveals how the artist didn’t just reflect his time, but acted as an agent of influence. He will discuss Carleton Watkins: Making the West American with MoMA curator of photography, Sarah Meister.

FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED
For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form one hour before the program.

PRESS 
Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc.) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Sara Beth Joren at sarabethjoren@nypl.org. For all other inquiries, please contact publicprograms@nypl.org.

ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.