Dassonville, William E.. Gnarled Trees, High Sierras, California, c. 1930. Gelatin silver print on Dassonville charcoal black paper, Image: 25.4 x 18.4 cm (10 x 7 1/4 in.); Paper: 35.5 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.). Gift of Patricia Cohen and Edward Sutton, 2017.300. Copyrighted.

Gnarled Trees, High Sierras, California

c. 1930

William E. Dassonville

William E. Dassonville (American, 1879–1957)

Photography

Gnarled Trees, High Sierras, California, c. 1930. William E. Dassonville (American, 1879–1957). Gelatin silver print on Dassonville charcoal black paper; image: 25.4 x 18.4 cm (10 x 7 1/4 in.); paper: 35.5 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Patricia Cohen and Edward Sutton 2017.300 When World War I caused a shortage of platinum, Dassonville set out to manufacture a gelatin silver paper that would yield platinum’s extensive tonal range. “Charcoal Black,” used for this photograph, finally debuted in 1923. The paper was championed by Ansel Adams and others seeking the ability to enlarge from their negatives and make a matte silver print with great tonal subtlety.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Dassonville, William E.
Classification: Photograph
Formatted Medium: Gelatin silver print on Dassonville charcoal black paper
Medium: gelatin, silver, print, dassonville, charcoal, black, paper
Dimensions: Image: 25.4 x 18.4 cm (10 x 7 1/4 in.); Paper: 35.5 x 27.9 cm (14 x 11 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Stamped in blue ink on verso: “Estate of/William E. Dassonville” Inscription: Written in pencil on verso: “HIGH SIERRA” Inscription: Written in pencil on verso: “DV1013-2/8”
Departments: Photography
Accession Number: 2017.300
Credit Line: Gift of Patricia Cohen and Edward Sutton
Rights Statement: Copyrighted