Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902)
A Famous, Nationalist Artist in the History of America
Personal Background of Albert Bierstadt
Bierstadt's Contribution to the Art World
How his Work Furthered the fellings of Nationalism
Three of Albert Bierstadt's Famous Works that Serve to Illustrate American Pride
The Oregon Trail, 1869
Visual Analysis:
Albert Bierstadt created this painting with the intention of making nature appear to be harmonized with humans and their Journey on the Oregon Trail. The audience of this image is most likely Americans, especially to increase their support for nationalism. The bright light shining down on the travelers is a sign of the presence of the Divine. With this image, people can interpret the importance of the Divine and American pride. This image conveys the power of the faith in the mission of settling the land in western America. The American people sought a new beginning with greater advantages and Bierstadt portrayed the beautiful nature that many Americans depended on and journeyed through in this image. Bierstadt wanted to create a tone of peacefulness and beauty for his audience, and he connected Americans to the power of nature and encouraged travel to the West. This particular painting was important for the movement of Manifest Destiny.Giant Redwood Trees of California, 1874
This painting was done with the intention of creating a setting that is natural and inviting. Bierstadt's techniques shown in this picture made him such a dominant figure in the informal grouping of romantic painters known as the Hudson River School. Like many of Bierstadt's paintings, this image has similar characteristics of other romantic paintings, such as the transcendental lighting, a bird's eye view of rolling land, minute brushwork, and tranquil American landscapes. This painting is directed towards the American population and even Europeans to highlight the beauty of the country that Americans should take pride in. The Redwood Trees of California were becoming a very popular American landmark after the gold rush in California. This image portrays the tranquility, richness, and promise of California with the gold lightning, which could encourage Americans to seek out prosperity and peace there. The light could also be interpreted as the presence of God in prosperous America, which furthered the country's Nationalism. The vibrant energy of the country shown in this image attracted many immigrants as well.
The Valley of Yosemite,1868
In this painting, Bierstadt painted a luminous, vast, unspoiled, and resourceful valley of land in order to introduce the beauty of the Yosemite Valley. Once again, the bright light is included in the romantic painting to focus on the powerfully divine and transcendental aspects of landscapes in America. Bierstadt indicates the richness and resourcefulness of some American land. The rock formations surrounding the flat land are distinct and magnificent. The many characteristics of the Yosemite Valley are included by Bierstadt to make the lands of America seem useful, prosperous, and beautiful, which promoted Nationalism and immigration from other nations.