Cayo Costa 3
Photograph, landscape format on archival paper • Clyde Butcher
Style & Movement
Modernist Landscape Photography / Environmental Conservationism; reminiscent of the f/64 group and Ansel Adams
Medium & Technique
Silver Gelatin Print (or high-quality digital archival pigment print), large-format photography utilizing a view camera for maximum depth of field and sharpness
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (Classical Contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20x24 inches or larger (standard for Butcher's gallery displays); Landscape format
Subject Description
A dramatic black and white coastal scene at Cayo Costa, Florida. The composition features a row of leaning palm trees at the shoreline under a towering cumulus cloud formation. The high contrast emphasizes the texture of the sand, palm fronds, and the transition between water and sky, conveying the raw beauty and scale of the Florida wilderness.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved under glass with professional white matting and frame. No visible foxing or fading.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $5,000 (depending on the specific limited edition number and current gallery pricing)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $2,500
Provenance History
Likely acquired directly from a gallery or the artist's studio (Big Cypress Gallery); bears the artist's signature in the lower right and title in the lower left.
Art Historical Significance
Clyde Butcher is often called the 'Ansel Adams of the Florida Everglades.' His work is vital in documenting and preserving Florida's fragile ecosystems, holding significant environmental and regional historical importance.
Notable Features
Hand-signed by the artist in the bottom right margin; includes the localized title 'Cayo Costa 3' in the bottom left margin, indicative of a specific series of captures from that location.
Condition Issues
Minor reflection visible in the photograph (interference from the glass during the user's capture), but the artwork itself appears to have no damage.
Conservation Recommendations
Display behind UV-protective glass, maintain stable humidity, and avoid hanging in direct sunlight to prevent silver mirroring or paper yellowing.