Artwork Page for Matchstick Cove, San Mateo County, California

Details / Information for Matchstick Cove, San Mateo County, California

Matchstick Cove, San Mateo County, California

1947

Minor White

(American, 1908–1976)
Culture
America
Medium
gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 9.4 x 11.7 cm (3 11/16 x 4 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Carl and Joan Schneider 2021.236
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Minor White, who moved to San Francisco in 1946, took a number of views of this craggy section of the California coastline not far from the city.

Description

This image reveals the individual components of this landscape—the waves, the sand, and the contours of the cliff faces—and how they flow together. Its sharp focus and dramatic contrasts of dark and light are quite different in mood White’s Matchstick Cove, San Mateo County, California, 1947, 1993.12. There the water covers the base of the cliffs and the fog rolls in, softening and obscuring the profiles of the more distant ones.
A horizontally oriented white mount features a central black-and-white gelatin silver print of a coastal landscape. White waves wash over a sandy shore, their foam creating tiered patterns. To the right, jagged cliffs rise sharply, sculpted by brilliant highlights and deep shadows. Behind them, dark undulating mountains loom against a pale sky. Strong tonal contrast emphasizes the textures of granular sand and craggy rock. A signature is inscribed in the lower right.

Matchstick Cove, San Mateo County, California

1947

Minor White

(American, 1908–1976)
America

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork