Timothy O’Sullivan
1840–1882 · United States / Ireland
The landscape as a visual experience.
The story
O’Sullivan photographed the American Civil War before joining exploratory expeditions in the American West. His landscapes served surveying and documentation needs while producing compositions that can be spare and disorientating. Rocks, plains and human structures become markers of scale. Looking at these images also requires considering the context of the expeditions and the political projects accompanying the mapping of a territory.
Understanding the work
Look for small elements that establish scale: a figure, encampment or boat. The vast spaces photographed remain connected with a situated viewpoint and a specific mission.
Key works and series
Geological surveys of the American West; photographs of the American Civil War.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
10 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
- MoMA · September, 1862
Signal Tower on Elk Mountain, Maryland
Albumen silver print
Alexander Gardner · Timothy O'Sullivan
- MoMA · July, 1863
Trossell's House, Battle-Field of Gettysburg
Albumen silver print
Timothy O'Sullivan · Alexander Gardner
- MoMA · July 1863
A Harvest of Death, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Albumen silver print
Alexander Gardner · Timothy O'Sullivan
- MoMA · February 1864
Pontoon Boat, Brandy Station, Virginia
Albumen silver print
Alexander Gardner · Timothy O'Sullivan
- MoMA · April 1865
McLean's house, Appomattox Court-House, Virginia
Albumen silver print
Timothy O'Sullivan · Alexander Gardner
- MoMA · Seasons of 1871, 1872 and 1873
Canyon of Kanab Wash, Colorado River, Looking South
Albumen silver print
Timothy O'Sullivan · William H. Bell
- MoMA · Seasons of 1871, 1872 and 1873
View on Apache Lake, Sierra Blanca Range, Arizona
Albumen silver print
- MoMA · 1873
Historic Spanish Record of the Conquest. South Side of Inscription Rock, New Mexico
Albumen silver print
