Yosemite has been the favorite subject of artists since 1855, when James Hutchings and Thomas Ayres first put the splendor of Yosemite on canvas.

Legendary writers such as Helen Hunt Jackson, Gertrude Stein, Thomas Wolfe and John Muir have contributed greatly to the body of works about Yosemite.

Artists,including Albert Bierstadt (one of his works is pictured above), William Keith, Herman Herzog, Thomas Moran and many more, have captured the beauty in oils, acrylics and pen and ink. Some famed landscape artists, including Lady Gordon-Cumming, were so inspired they extended their stay to months and even years.

Legendary photographer Ansel Adams also catalogued much of Yosemite in the 20s and 30s. He was originally hired to take publicity pictures in the park at $10 a day.

Today, Yosemite continues to inspire famous and amateur artists, photographer, sculptors, poets and writers alike.