Clyde Butcher (Born 1942) American, Signed and Numbered Photograph

Lot description

Clyde Butcher (Born 1942) American, Signed and Numbered Photograph. Depicts a glorious spray of wispy clouds over the Everglades near sunset. Signed in pen bottom right. Numbered 11/150 in pen bottom left. Informative bio on back with photo of the artist, dating it to 1987 and saying it is part of his Collector's Edition Series with the title "Rock Island Prairie." Overall Size: 14 1/4 x 16 1/4 in. Sight Size: 7 x 9 1/4 in. Clyde Butcher was born on September 6th, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri, and led a nomadic lifestyle with his parents until they settled in Southern California when he was 18. He initially studied architecture and graduated from California Polytechnic University in 1960, but became one of the most famous large-format photographers in America after visiting Yosemite Park and learning about the craft directly from Ansel Adams. A pivotal moment in his life came after the tragic death of his son in 1986, which led him to abandon color photography and retreat to the wilderness of Florida where he dedicated himself to large-scale black-and-white landscape photography from then on, using his work to process his grief and to promote conservation. He opened the Big Cypress Gallery and began leading guided tours through the swamp to help people appreciate the natural environment, and his work continues to be highly sought both by conservationists and collectors alike as he uses it as a platform to showcase his passionate environmentalist and advocate for the preservation and restoration of natural places like the Everglades.