Beach at Nassau 

Albert Bierstadt made "Beach at Nassau" using oil on paper mounted on canvas, with a brush. Notice the energy imbued in the scene, achieved through Bierstadt's expressive handling of the paint. Thick strokes bring the rocky landscape to life, contrasting with the smoother, blended areas depicting the sky and sea. The application of oil paint, in this case, is not merely representational. It's almost sculptural; Bierstadt uses the medium to create a sense of volume and texture. Consider the labor involved in the production of this painting, and its social context. During the 19th century, landscape paintings like this were popular among wealthy patrons. These paintings spoke to an emerging sense of national identity and pride, intertwined with notions of exploration and the exploitation of natural resources. Oil paint itself, commercially produced and widely available, was a product of industrialization. Bierstadt elevates the raw materiality of paint, inviting us to see beyond the surface and consider the complex interplay between nature, labor, and artistic expression.