| Medium: | oil on canvas |
| Size: | 10.5 x 17.5 in (26.7 x 44.5 cm) approx |
| Inscription: | l/r "F. Schafer", in the artist's characteristic block-letter hand |
| Verso: | l/c "Morning in the Yosemite Valley", in the artist's block-letter hand, in oil brush |
| Provenance: | In collection of Robert B. Honeyman, Southern California by 1963; to The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley, in 1963, inventory #63.2.1500 (public). |
| Exhibited: | Yosemite in the 19th Century, Berkeley, January 1990 |
| Reproductions: | William K. Dick photo #84 (color, 1971); The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley (on-line via calisphere) |
| Citations: | Baird, Joseph Armstrong Jr., Catalog of…the…Honeyman…Collection; Inventory of American Paintings… record 60540077 |
| Site: | View East into Yosemite Valley, California, from atop the Topinemete bluffs along the old Mariposa trail, probably at Inspiration point. El Capitan is outlined on the left, Half Dome is silhouetted on the horizon, and Cathedral Rocks and Bridalveil Fall are on the right. |
| Description: | All of the mentioned features are in a vaguely brushed beige pastel with the sky only a little lighter in color; the painting could be described as luminist. In the foreground a dirt road leads down to the valley between scattered conifers on gentle slopes on both sides. Walking away, some distance down the road, are three figures. One is on foot in an orange jacket, while the other two are mounted, wearing red and white. Details are rough, uncontrolled strokes. (From the painting, 20 October 1989) |
| Note: | Baird describes this painting as `Quasi "impressionist" view of Yosemite Valley, with El Capitan at left.' The scene is from essentially the same viewpoint as Morning in Yosemite Valley, California [2] and may be a field sketch for the latter painting. The painting hangs on the Southwest side of the reference desk in the Bancroft Library. The information card on the wall beside the painting provides the c. 1900 date; that date is based on biographical sketches which suggest that Schafer's style changed in the direction of impressionism in later years. |
| Identification: | The Baird catalogue and the Inventory of American Paintings list this painting under the descriptive title Yosemite Valley. At the time Baird prepared the catalog, the verso inscription was hidden under a dust cover. |
| Other title(s): | Yosemite Valley (Baird catalogue, Inventory of American Paintings…) |
| In index(es): | Title list, Yosemite Valley--classic view, paintings currently held in museums and public collections, sketches |
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