Ruins of Cliff Dwellings, Cañon de Chelly, Arizona
1880
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1880
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This black-and-white photograph shows a cliff face with ancient dwellings carved into it. The dwellings are multi-story structures with small windows and doorways, built into the rock face. The cliff face is rough and weathered, with visible cracks and crevices. In the foreground, a group of horses and a wagon are visible, with a few people standing nearby. The scene appears to be a desolate, desert landscape with sparse vegetation. The photograph is a detailed and realistic depiction of the ancient cliff dwellings and the surrounding landscape. To learn more about the artist's use of light and shadow, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
