Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in.  (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in.  (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in.  (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in.  (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in Britain. Each photograph featuring an orange mark painted onto each stone marker.

Nancy Holt, Trail Markers (1969)

Dartmoor, England, U.K.

Photo-series of 20 inkjet prints on archival rag paper, from original 126 format transparencies

22 1/8 x 22 1/8 in. (55.9 x 55.9 cm) each

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

1966—1969

Trail Markers

Nancy Holt
1969
Dartmoor, England
Photo-series of 20 archival inkjet prints from original 126 format slides
22 x 22 in. (56 x 56 cm)
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

A series of twenty photographs captured along the high moor of Dartmoor National Park in England, ​Trail Markers d​ocuments a subjective journey through the historic landscape. The camera angle is trained downwards, with each photograph featuring an orange mark—inviting us to assume the visual perspective of a traveler in pursuit of our path. Holt resists the panoramic, all-encompassing view, offering instead an experience of the landscape that is at once dynamic and myopic. The orange markers—created as a guide for hikers—highlight a human construct within a vast natural expanse, an insertion that guides our view even as it appears feeble in the context of its majestic surrounds.

Writing

Scholarly Text

See Also