Ship Study for the Landing of Columbus (from Sketchbook) 1891

This small-scale pencil drawing, "Ship Study for the Landing of Columbus (from Sketchbook)" was made by Albert Bierstadt in 1891. It is a preliminary study for a larger painting depicting the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. This quick, simple sketch shows the ship's basic form and its sails, providing insight into Bierstadt’s creative process as he prepared for the grander work. This piece, along with others like it, highlights the meticulous planning and craftsmanship Bierstadt employed in his art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses this piece, allowing art lovers a glimpse into the artist's mind before he embarked on a more complex masterpiece.