Clearing Winter Storm
Original Photograph Negative: ca. 1938
Artist: Ansel Adams
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More About the Image:
Clearing Winter Storm is perhaps the quintessential photograph of the Sierra. That early December day started dreary with heavy rain but gave way to a fresh dusting of snow before clearing around noon. With no obvious human elements visible in Yosemite Valley below, the image has frequently been associated with ideal wilderness and intrepid adventure with an endless and rugged pristine landscape laid out before the viewer. Toward the end of his life, Ansel selected this image for the cover of the magnum opus of his muse Yosemite and the Range of Light – a fitting tribute - and was included in Ansel's last major project called 'The Museum Set,' a collection of photographs for which he wanted to be remembered. Sets were initially meant to include either 25 or 75 total images, 10 which Ansel picked as absolute and which he considered exemplary to his body of work (colloquially referred to as his 'biggies'). Of all the images considered for the set made throughout the entirety of his career, Clearing Winter Storm was chosen as one of his ten 'biggies.'
Printed c. 1981-1982 by the New York Graphic Society in partnership with Ansel Adams, these limited edition, deluxe signed posters showcase three of Ansel’s most famous photographs: “Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite Valley” “Moonrise Hernandez, New Mexico,” and “Aspens, Northern New Mexico.”
“Vintage” is a term in photography that has both a very specific meaning, and unfortunately a slightly ambiguous definition when putting it into practice.
