Bears in the Wilderness 1870

Curator: What I immediately notice is how much the muted palette contributes to a sense of quietude. It's almost somber, isn’t it? As if nature itself is holding its breath. Editor: That’s beautifully put. We’re looking at “Bears in the Wilderness,” an 1870 oil painting by Albert Bierstadt. He was quite the champion of these sweeping, dramatic landscapes. Curator: Dramatic but hushed, I think, here. Bierstadt usually went bigger and bolder, didn’t he? Here, there's a stillness that captivates. And it does make one wonder about the narrative Bierstadt is attempting to paint. Is it supposed to capture the American Dream? It seems as though Bierstadt's Bears are looking towards that too, as he attempts to do with the work of art. Editor: Absolutely. It's interesting how his large canvases reinforced the ideology of Manifest Destiny by showcasing the sublimity of the American West to encourage settlement. However, Bierstadt became criticized as paintings of western landscapes were becoming repetitive. His artwork would go on to get rejected as they were too outdated. Curator: Interesting how the same artpiece that once embodied patriotism goes to be known for something so radically different, almost controversial for the art period. It makes one wonder what artwork is worth. To what extent should the meaning be determined by others rather than one's self. Is an artpiece that the public praises a beautiful one? Is a meaningless artwork to me nothing to others? Editor: That last line can be interpretable, maybe too subjective for a museum audio tour. As you note, however, Bierstadt’s "Bears in the Wilderness" is fascinating to discuss regarding value and patriotism as the themes contrast each other while still highlighting their differences. It certainly makes us ask the hard questions on whether history defines an artwork. It really seems like both him and his bears want something better in this scene of the American landscape. Curator: Perhaps, it makes one contemplate on whether an artpiece should represent freedom, the essence of humanity, which will hopefully continue to resonate even in the unknown times to come. A powerful, evocative painting— even though quiet it does speaks volume, I feel so strongly, as the sky brightens as the trees darken like so. The juxtaposition captures something that feels truly genuine about it. Editor: Indeed, it feels more genuine with the brushstrokes. Thank you for sharing these insightful opinions!