Lost Mountains in the Great Basin, 1856, Litograph on Paper

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Description

This lithograph, titled "Lost Mountains in the Great Basin," captures the quiet desolation and stark beauty of the Great Basin … Read more This lithograph, titled "Lost Mountains in the Great Basin," captures the quiet desolation and stark beauty of the Great Basin region. In the foreground, spindly Joshua trees rise like sentinels, their unique forms contributing to the surreal and arid landscape. A figure rests beneath the shade of one tree, while a pack animal grazes nearby, emphasizing human adaptation to this harsh environment. The mid-ground reveals scattered vegetation and subtle undulations of the desert, leading to distant mountain ranges shrouded in a soft haze. The print provides a fascinating glimpse into the geographical and ecological diversity of the Great Basin during the 19th century. The detail in the vegetation and distant topography is rendered with precision, demonstrating the artist's observational skill and the importance of documenting the American frontier. Created using chromolithography, this piece showcases the subtle interplay of earthy tones and gradients that bring the desert landscape to life. It serves as both an artistic and scientific record, making it a valuable artifact for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.

Condition: Excellent preservation with minimal signs of aging. Colors remain vibrant, and the paper shows only light foxing around the edges. See less