John R. Putnam

This striking late-19th-century photograph presents a majestic view of Multnomah Falls, one of the most iconic natural landmarks of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Photographed circa 1889 by American photographer John R. Putnam, the image captures the dramatic two-tier cascade plunging through a steep, forested canyon—an enduring symbol of the Pacific Northwest’s untamed beauty.

The composition emphasizes the immense vertical scale of the falls, framed by rugged basalt cliffs and dense evergreen growth. The photographer’s use of long exposure transforms the rushing water into a luminous, ethereal column, a hallmark of 19th-century landscape photography that conveys both motion and grandeur. The surrounding trees and rock formations provide a powerful sense of depth and isolation, evoking the awe early visitors experienced when encountering the American wilderness.

This work is an original black-and-white silver gelatin photograph, mounted on period cardstock. The verso bears stamps and notations from Al Greene & Associates, prominent publishers of fine photographic murals and exhibition prints in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Handwritten annotations identifying “Columbia River – Multnomah Falls”, along with the date 1889, further support the photograph’s historical authenticity and professional provenance.

John R. Putnam was active during a pivotal era when photographers helped define the visual identity of America’s great natural wonders. Images such as this were instrumental in shaping public appreciation of the West and reinforcing early conservation ideals, decades before mass tourism transformed these landscapes.

Details

Title: Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge

Photographer: John R. Putnam

Date: c. 1889

Medium: Silver gelatin photograph

Mount: Original period mount with Al Greene & Associates imprint

Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Condition: Very good antique condition; light age-related toning and wear consistent with period materials

A rare and evocative survival from the golden age of American landscape photography, this photograph is an exceptional acquisition for collectors of Pacific Northwest history, Western Americana, early photography, and national landmark imagery. A timeless document of nature’s power—captured at the moment photography first brought America’s wilderness to the world.