The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico

Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico

1941
(American, 1902–1984)
America, 20th century
gelatin silver print, printed 1970s
Image: 38.9 x 49.7 cm (15 5/16 x 19 9/16 in.); Matted: 61 x 76.2 cm (24 x 30 in.)
Gift of Henry H. Hawley 1989.148
© Trustees of the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust
Location: not on view

Description

An artist, teacher, and writer, Adams was a major force in American photography, education, and conservation for more than 50 years. A practitioner of unmanipulated "straight" photography, he masterfully combined spontaneity with technical recall to create one of the most celebrated images in the history of the medium. As he drove near Santa Fe after an disappointing day of shooting, Adams glanced out his car window and saw the makings of an incredible picture—the setting sun shining on the crosses of a cemetery, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and luminous clouds hovering above them. Realizing he had only moments to photograph the image he visualized, Adams quickly set up his equipment. Unable to find his light meter, he had no choice but to mentally calculate the correct exposure time. His fortuitous split-second timing resulted in this beautifully lit, romantic image that could be captured only once before the setting sun surrendered its energy to the moon and dimmed the crosses.
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, Tom E Hinson. Catalogue of Photography. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1996. Reproduced: P. 76
  • Icons of American Photography: A Century of Photographs from the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 24-September 16, 2007); Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittsburgh, PA (October 3, 2009-January 3, 2010).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art (6/24/07 - 9/16/07) and Frick Art and Historical Center, Pittburgh, PA (10/3/2009 - 1/3/2010); "Icons of American Photography: A Century of Photographs from the Cleveland Museum of Art", no exhibition catalogue.
    American Space: Landscape Photography 1900-1950. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 6-May 23, 2001).
    Cleveland, Ohio: The Cleveland Museum of Art; January 3-May 23, 2001. "American Space: Landscape Photography, 1900-1950."
    CMA, Oct. 15, 1993 - Jan. 9, 1994: "Ansel Adams from the Permanent Collection," Gallery 105, no exhibition catalogue.
    The Year in Review for 1989. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 6-April 15, 1990).
    CMA, Feb. 6 - April 15, 1990: "Year in Review 1989," CMA Bulletin, 77 (Feb. 1990), p. 66, no. 13.
  • {{cite web|title=Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico|url=false|author=Ansel Adams|year=1941|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1989.148