Natural Causes

Ansel Adams & American Landscape Photography

Exhibition
7 Mar 1998 – 21 Jun 1998
Black and white photograph of a snow capped mountains

Ansel Adams, Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado, 1951, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 1977

About

Ansel Adams (1902–1984) is one of the most celebrated and influential 20th century landscape photographers. The exhibition title reflects the place of Adams's work in a tradition of brilliant American photographers of the sublime natural landscape and Adams's role as an ardent conservationist.

In 1981 the National Gallery of Australia was one of a select group of world museums which were successful in their applications to purchase Adams's 'Museum set' of 75 images spanning his career from 1927 to the 1970s. The selection and production of this portfolio occupied the last decade of Adams's life.

The Museum set has formed the basis of two previous National Gallery exhibitions. The 1998 exhibition includes over 30 images by Ansel Adams from over 100 works in the Gallery's collection. The exhibition is being mounted in association with New Worlds from Old: 19th Century Australian & American Landscapes. A small selection of works by other 19th and 20th century American landscape photographers in the National Gallery's collection will also be included in the current Adams exhibition.

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