Museum acquires rare Ansel Adams Smokies photograph

The Knoxville Museum of Art recently announced the acquisition of a rare photograph, Dawn, Autumn Forest, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, taken in the Great Smoky Mountains by Ansel Adams. Adams shot the image in 1948 while taking photographs as part of a Guggenheim Fellowship on America’s national parks and monuments. This was Adams' only recorded visit to Tennessee.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984), "Dawn, Autumn Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee", 1948. Silver gelatin print; printed c. 1970-76, 19.25 x 14.25 inches. ©2009 The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.

Adams (1902-1984) is best known for his timeless black-and-white images of Yosemite National Park and many of the other natural wonders in the American West. However, evidence suggests Adams discovered the Smokies to be an intimidating subject. In a letter written on October 9, 1948, the artist confided that “The Smokys are OK in their way, but they are going to be devilish hard to photograph...”

Adams only published four images from his visit. Prints of these are little known and exceedingly rare. The KMA was able to acquire one of the four, Dawn, Autumn Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, thanks to generous financial support from Patricia and Alan Rutenberg and Mary Ellen and Steve Brewington.

The photograph will be on display in the Knoxville Museum of Art main lobby before being incorporated into Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee, the museum's permanent installation devoted to the art and artists of our region.

The KMA is seeking prints of Adams’ other three published images of the Smoky Mountains with the hope that they will become the first museum to acquire the complete set.

The museum is located at 1050 World’s Fair Park in Knoxville and is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Friday 10 am–8 pm, and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm. Admission and parking are free.


Jeff
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