Black Cañon, Colorado River, Looking Above from Camp 7
Medium
Albumen print, from the album "Geographical & Geological Explorations & Surveys West of the 100th Meridian," vol. 1
Dimensions
Image/paper: 20.4 × 27.5 cm (8 1/16 × 10 7/8 in.); Mount: 39.4 × 49.9 cm (15 9/16 × 19 11/16 in.)
Classification
albumen silver print
Department
Photography and Media
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
140421
Art Historical Context
In 1871, pioneering photographer Timothy O'Sullivan captured *Black Cañon, River, Looking Above from 7* during the U.S. Army's Wheeler Survey, a major government expedition mapping the American West beyond the 100th meridian. This albumen silver print, from the survey's published album *Geographical & Geological Explorations & Surveys West of 100th Meridian*, vol. 1, documents rugged Black Canyon—a steep, shadowy gorge along the Colorado River that would later inspire the Hoover Dam. O'Sullivan's work helped visualize uncharted territories for scientists, policymakers, and the public, fueling ...
About the Artist
Timothy O'Sullivan · 1840–1882
Timothy H. O'Sullivan (c. 1840–1882) emerged as one of America's pioneering photographers during a transformative era. His early life remains sparsely documented, with records suggesting he was born either in New York City or Ireland before immigrating young, possibly growing up on Staten Island. As a teenager, he apprenticed under Mathew Brady at his Fulton Street gallery in New York, mastering w...