#336 • Johnny Johnson "Wilderness of Denali", "Spirit of Denali" & "First Light" Photographs

Part of The Johnny Johnson Estate Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

Starting at $5.00

Status: Available

Bidding closes Nov 3, 2026 7:51 PM AKST

Category: Art

Three signed photographs by Alaska wildlife photographer Johnny Johnson (1947–2025). The first work is entitled "Wilderness of Denali," c.1997, numbered 1374/1800. Johnson describes the scene: “It was a crisp frosty morning in late August when I found this female moose feeding serenely in the shallows of Wonder Lake. The tundra was ablaze with the colors of autumn and Mt. McKinley dominated the distant horizon. No other image in my collection captures the wild solitude of Denali National Park better than this one.” The second photograph is entitled "Spirit of Denali," c.1985, numbered 891/950. Johnson describes the scene: “After being out of print for over a decade, I have decided to release the remaining two hundred numbers of "Spirit of Denali". Taken with my 300mm lens near Thorofare Pass, I have always loved the power, color and sheer scale of this once-in-a-lifetime shot. The bull caribou is at about 4,000 feet in elevation approximately twenty miles from Mt. McKinley and almost 16,000 feet lower than the north peak (19,470). The south peak (true summit 20,320') is obscured by storm clouds. Climbers follow the Muldrow glacier (lower right) up Karstens Ridge (left of Great Harper glacier & icefall) to the summit. The temperature difference between the mountain's peak and this caribou could top 100 Fahrenheit.” The third photograph is "First Light," c.1995, numbered 807/950. Johnson describes the scene: “The first rays of morning light illuminate a bull caribou and the North face of Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park-Alaska. Up before dawn, I awaited sunrise at my favorite location above Wonder Lake near Ansel Adams Point. For over twenty years I have photographed Mt. McKinley. This mountain hardly ever disappoints me.” All are signed, dated, and numbered in gold leaf ink and printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Supergloss paper. The photographs are shrink-wrapped on board; the largest measures approximately 16.5" x 24.5".