Study of a Flag for the Landing of Columbus (from Sketchbook) 1891

This small-scale drawing by Albert Bierstadt, "Study of a Flag for the Landing of Columbus (from Sketchbook)," is a preliminary sketch for a larger painting. It is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and depicts an early design for a flag. It is a simple, yet important study that reveals the artist's process of working and the importance of historical imagery in his art. It is part of a larger sketchbook and reflects the artist's interest in American history, particularly the voyages of Christopher Columbus.