Towering over 3,000 feet from its base to its tallest peak, El Capitan is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Yosemite Valley. This pale granite monolith has captured the imaginations of artists seeking to portray the awe this natural feature inspires.

Formed by molten rock and polished by glaciers, Half Dome rises over 4,700 feet from the floor of Yosemite Valley. Since the first ascent in1875, determined mountaineers have sought to ascend this massive granite formation, while generations of artists have been moved to capture Half Dome’s distinct profile.

Yosemite National Park is intercut by a number of water features, including the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, Tenaya Creek, and Mirror Lake. Artists have drawn inspiration from these areas to capture scenes that range from solemn moonlit meditations to depictions of the thundering rush of water over rock.

While much of its renown stems from its pristine landscapes, Yosemite’s history is entwined with those of the people who have long lived in and visited the area. Artistic representations of people in Yosemite range from vivid depictions of Native American life to painted snapshots of campers and hikers, their expeditions frozen in time through the strokes of the brush.

Yosemite National Park lies within the Sierra Nevada mountain range of central California. The park’s peaks and valleys host a multitude of scenic natural features that spark artistic expression. The verdant hues of alpine foliage and riots of color produced by sunlight glinting off sheer granite rock faces continue to provide limitless sources of inspiration.

Yosemite Valley was carved by glaciers over tens of millions of years, and is one of the most visited areas of the park. Artists have flocked to Yosemite Valley to depict stunning views of Half Dome and El Capitan, to Bridalveil and Yosemite Falls.

Countless waterfalls pierce through Yosemite National Park’s granite cliffs. From the descent of Bridalveil Falls that thunders in the spring to the precipitous drops of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in the United States, these waterfalls’ majesty continue to inspire painters.