Mount Rainier 

Albert Bierstadt made "Mount Rainier" using oil paint, a traditional medium since the Renaissance. The painting's atmospheric quality is greatly influenced by the material properties of oil paint, its ability to blend smoothly and create subtle tonal gradations. Bierstadt's technique of layering thin glazes of paint allowed him to capture the hazy distance and monumental scale of the mountain, evoking a sense of awe and sublime grandeur. This approach, though seemingly straightforward, required considerable skill, achieved through methodical application, building up the image in stages. Although painting is not commonly associated with labor, the artist's hand is evident here. The countless hours invested in the process speak to a tradition of highly skilled craftsmanship within the realm of fine art. By understanding the labor involved, and the craft techniques used in the painting's creation, we appreciate the artistic achievement on a deeper level, moving beyond the traditional divide between art and craft.