Cathedral Peak and Lake

Overview

Of all the American landscapes that Ansel Adams immortalized through his images, Yosemite was the most deeply personal. In Yosemite he discovered his spiritual home and built his family. He first visited the Park in 1916 and he returned every year thereafter, meeting his wife there and then raising his family within Yosemite's splendor. Ansel hoped his images would inspire park visitors to become activists for Yosemite's preservation, instilled with a deeper connection to the natural world and desire to protect it. With that as his main goal, Ansel conceived this series of Yosemite Special Edition Photographs in the late 1950s. With images of Half Dome, Lake Tenaya, Merced River and more, he invited everyone to be of part of his 'art as activism" by pricing the prints at an affordable cost. We honor that intention today, offering these stunning silver prints to all who wish to express their love for Yosemite and desire to protect it as a natural wonder.

Today, with America’s wild spaces increasingly under threat, Ansel’s vision for the Special Edition Photographs remains as relevant as ever.

Yosemite Special Edition Photographs are the closest photographic reproductions to Ansel’s original masterpieces, painstakingly handcrafted from his negatives by former assistant Alan Ross. Alan Ross worked under Ansel’s direct observation from 1975 until 1984, and has been producing the series in accordance to Ansel's instructions ever since. Each silver photograph shimmers with brilliance, with richly perfected black and white tones. From a selection of 29 stunning images of Yosemite, each photograph is printed in 8x10 inches and authorized by the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust. With professional framing available, this collection ranges in price from $375 (mounted and matted) to $800 (framed).

We invite you to stand with Ansel in his commitment to honoring and cherishing the unparalleled beauty of Yosemite by showcasing an Ansel Adams Yosemite Special Edition Photograph. As an owner of a Special Edition Photograph, you too can share Ansel's vision, inspiring others to preserve and protect Yosemite for years to come.

Technical Information on Yosemite Special Edition Photographs

About this Image

Ansel Adams made this image in 1938 during an outing with friends, notably Georgia O'Keeffe and David McAlpin, in the Yosemite backcountry with a 3" x 4" camera. Though the granite bowl and soaring peak are classic archetypes of the remote high sierra, Cathedral Lake lies only four miles from an easily accessible trailhead at Tuolomne Meadows.

As was Adams' habit, he meticulously noted the exposure and developing of “ Cathedral Peak and Lake ,” but did not record the date. Adams remarks on his habit in "Examples, The Making of 40 Photographs:"

"Because of my unfortunate disregard for the dates of my negatives I have caused considerable dismay among photographic historians, students, and museums -- to say nothing of the trouble it has caused me."

Adams made a portfolio of the outing for each member of the outing, the inclusion of this photograph means that it was made no later than 1938. It may have been made earlier, as Ansel would sometimes include strong photographs of the areas a group visited, particularly if conditions were not so good during the trip.

" Cathedral Peak and Lake " appeared "Portfolio IV, What Majestic Word," published by the Sierra Club in 1963 with an inaccurate 1960 date stamp. The image also appears in Yosemite and The Portfolios of Ansel Adams 

What's Included

Handcrafted Gelatin Silver Photograph from Ansel Adams' negative by Alan Ross

Museum-Quality Frame & Finish

Ready to hang (wired backing)

Expert Packaging with Care

30 day - 100% Satisfaction Guarantee (or full refund)

Framing Details

Yosemite Special Edition Photograph Framing Details

Frame your Special Edition Photograph and receive it ready to hang and designed to stand the test of time. Our Gallery makes framing easy, offering competitive prices, speed and convenience. Every frame is professionally built by our team of expert craftspeople using the highest-quality materials (wood or metal moulding, acid-free mats and foam core, and optional acrylic with 99% UV protection). Our turnaround time is fast—usually 2-3 business days to create your piece— and then we ship your finished work of art to your door.

Standard vs Museum Acrylic
Premium Gray Welded Frame
Wood Frame
Metal Frames

Standard vs Museum Acrylic

We use Tru-Vue Picture Framing Acrylic (plexiglass) on all of our prints. Acrylic is strong, shatter-resistant and abrasion-resistant. When shipping your artwork, acrylic vastly safer than glass.

Our Standard Acrylic is Tru-Vue Premium Clear Acrylic. This is high-quality framing-grade clear acrylic that provides safety and security from injury and breakage. This acrylic blocks 66% of UV rays.

Our Museum Acrylic is Tru-Vue Optium Museum Acrylic®. This is virtually invisible, yet provides the ultimate protection for your artwork. It is the highest-quality acrylic available and is used by the world’s most renowned museums. This acrylic provides 99% UV protection. Is anti-reflective, abrasion and shatter-resistant.

Premium Gray Welded Frame (formerly known as “Custom Gray Frame”)

Made exclusively for our gallery. This closed-corner welded aluminum frame is custom-made for The Ansel Adams Gallery in Ansel’s Zone V gray. This is our preferred frame for Yosemite Special Edition Photographs. This frame features a ⅜” face and is painted to be a flat gray Zone V finish.

Frame Dimensions

Wood Frames

Our wood frames are premium quality solid wood, contemporary style frames with a flat face. Offered in White and Black Colors

Frame Dimensions
For Yosemite Special Edition Photographs is  ⅞” face moulding

Standard Metal Frames

Our metal frames are Nielsen with a ⅜” face . Sleek, clean, contemporary frames available in German Silver and Matte Black colors.

Frame Dimensions

The John Muir Trail

The book, Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail by Ansel Adams was originally published in 1938 and limited to only 500 copies. With a remarkable collection of 50 stunning views of the Sierra, one can consider this a masterpiece filled with photographs from Ansel Adams' legendary career.

The Sierra Nevada as well as the John Muir Trail played an integral role in shaping the career of Ansel Adams. To showcase this magnificent book and its photographs, The Ansel Adams Gallery welcomes you to explore The John Muir Trail map, view the book, and read articles about the John Muir Trail, Wilderness Act, and more.   

Explore The John Muir Map
View Original Photographs along the trail
View Ansel Adams Exclusive Reproductions along the trail
Learn more about the book; Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail
Read Articles