Seal Rock 1872

Albert Bierstadt’s “Seal Rock” is an oil on canvas work that portrays a craggy rock formation teeming with seals amidst a turbulent sea. Painted in the late 19th century, this artwork presents an idealized vision of the American West. Bierstadt was associated with the Hudson River School and promoted westward expansion. His paintings encouraged tourism and settlement, shaping perceptions of the landscape. At the time, conservation movements were beginning to emerge in response to the overhunting of wildlife for the fur trade. This historical context informs our understanding of how the natural world was perceived, used, and represented in art. To fully understand this painting, we can consider the political and economic factors driving westward expansion, as well as the evolving attitudes toward nature and wildlife. Such scrutiny allows us to see how images like this one helped construct and promote a particular vision of America’s place in the world.