A vintage photochrom print by William Henry Jackson depicting the geothermal Emerald Pool in Yellowstone National Park, captured in the late nineteenth century.

This image captures the Emerald Pool in Yellowstone National Park, rendered through the photochrom process. William Henry Jackson, a photographer known for his documentation of the American West, utilised this method to add colour to black-and-white negatives. The technique involves creating multiple lithographic stones, each corresponding to a specific colour, which are then layered to produce the final image.

The composition presents the pool in the foreground, its water displaying a distinct green hue caused by thermophilic bacteria and mineral deposits. The surrounding terrain shows the textured, mineral-rich earth typical of the geothermal features in the region. In the background, a dense line of coniferous trees stands against a pale, clear sky. The steam rising from the water adds a sense of atmosphere to the scene.

Jackson travelled extensively with the United States Geological Survey, documenting geological formations that were largely unknown to the public at the time. His work contributed to the visual record of the American wilderness during the late nineteenth century. The photochrom process, popularised by the Detroit Photographic Company, allowed for the mass production of these images, bringing the sights of the national parks to a wider audience. This print retains the original dark mount, which provides a frame for the image and reflects the presentation style common to late Victorian photographic collections.