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El Capitan

Towering over 3,000 feet from its base to its tallest peak, El Capitan is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Yosemite Valley. This pale granite monolith has captured the imaginations of artists seeking to portray the awe this natural feature inspires.

El Capitan; Yosemite National Park U.S.A
El Capitan
El Capitan Early Morning
El Capitan, Yosemite
El Grande Portal; or, Tutokanula Pass

Half Dome

Formed by molten rock and polished by glaciers, Half Dome rises over 4,700 feet from the floor of Yosemite Valley. Since the first ascent in1875, determined mountaineers have sought to ascend this massive granite formation, while generations of artists have been moved to capture Half Dome’s distinct profile.

Half Dome and Meadow
Half Dome, Royal Arches - Merced River
Half Dome from Mirror Lake
Half Dome and Royal Arches

Near Water

Yosemite National Park is intercut by a number of water features, including the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, Tenaya Creek, and Mirror Lake. Artists have drawn inspiration from these areas to capture scenes that range from solemn moonlit meditations to depictions of the thundering rush of water over rock.

Moonlight on the Merced
Mirror Lake - Yosemite
S Paradise

People

While much of its renown stems from its pristine landscapes, Yosemite’s history is entwined with those of the people who have long lived in and visited the area. Artistic representations of people in Yosemite range from vivid depictions of Native American life to painted snapshots of campers and hikers, their expeditions frozen in time through the strokes of the brush.

Digger Indians, Yo Semite
Ad for Barnard's Bath House at the first Yosemite Hotel, Yosemite Valley
Mount Star King, Acorn Caches in Foreground
Man Seated in Front of Wooden Shack
Winter Scene at Yosemite
Portrait of Henry Washburn
Bear Woman
Big Head Dancer
Dancer 1980
Sierra Bark House at Night
Ken Kewley

Sierra Views

Yosemite National Park lies within the Sierra Nevada mountain range of central California. The park’s peaks and valleys host a multitude of scenic natural features that spark artistic expression. The verdant hues of alpine foliage and riots of color produced by sunlight glinting off sheer granite rock faces continue to provide limitless sources of inspiration.

Cathedral Spires
Sentinel Rock
Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River
View of Sierra Mountain Peak framed by Trees
Before Thunder Storm, Tuolumn [sic] Meadow, High Sierra, Calif., U.S.A

Yosemite Valley Views

Yosemite Valley was carved by glaciers over tens of millions of years, and is one of the most visited areas of the park. Artists have flocked to Yosemite Valley to depict stunning views of Half Dome and El Capitan, to Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Entrance
Yosemite Valley Floor
Half Dome and Meadow
General View of Yosemite Valley - From Inspiration Point
Yosemite Valley from Wawona Tunnel
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point
Bridalveil Fall
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley
View of Yosemite Valley
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 1
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 2
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 3
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 4
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 5
Formation of Yosemite Valley Stage 6
Yosemite, Cathedral Rocks from the Valley
Tamarack and Cascade Creek
Valley View II
Winter Evening in Yosemite Valley

Waterfalls

Countless waterfalls pierce through Yosemite National Park’s granite cliffs. From the descent of Bridalveil Falls that thunders in the spring to the precipitous drops of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the United States, these waterfalls’ majesty continue to inspire painters.

Water Fall
Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Fall
From Glacier Point, Vernal and Nevada Falls - High Sierras
Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls and Cathedral Rock
Vernal Fall
Nevada Fall
Nevada Falls
Bridalveil Falls
Horsetail Falls
Bridalveil Falls
Nevada Fall Waterfalls Flowing into River
Upper Yosemite Falls

Other Views

Happy Isles
Hetch Hetchy Valley, Cal
Mariposa Grove - Base of Sequois Gigantia
Pohana Lake
Sentinel Rock
The Snow Plant
Gaylor Peak and Lakes
Washington Column and North Dome
Wawona Tree
Life and Death Porcupine Flat 1930
Morning of Mono Lake, High Sierra, Calif., U.S.A
Ruin of Old Tioga Mine, Tioga High Sierra, U.S.A
Sundown at Tioga, Tioga Peak 1930

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