May 24, 2012
In the 1860s and 70s, photographer Timothy O'Sullivan created some of the
best-known images in American History. After covering the U.S. Civil War, (many
of his photos appear in this earlier series), O'Sullivan joined a number of expeditions
organized by the federal government to help document the new frontiers in the
American West. The teams were composed of soldiers, scientists, artists, and
photographers, and tasked with discovering the best ways to take advantage of
the region's untapped natural resources. O'Sullivan brought an amazing eye and
work ethic, composing photographs that evoked the vastness of the West. He also
documented the Native American population as well as the pioneers who were
already altering the landscape. Above all, O'Sullivan captured -- for the first
time on film -- the natural beauty of the American West in a way that would
later influence Ansel Adams and thousands more photographers to come. [34
photos]
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