Landscape Sketch (from Sketchbook) 1890

Albert Bierstadt created this landscape sketch as part of a sketchbook, though we don't know exactly when. Bierstadt, a German-American painter, is best known for his grandiose landscapes of the American West. This sketch gives us a glimpse into the artist’s process. It reveals the initial, more intimate stages of envisioning the landscapes that later became monumental paintings, reflecting a romanticized view of the American frontier. Bierstadt’s work was not without controversy. His dramatic interpretations often glossed over the realities of westward expansion, particularly its violent impact on Indigenous populations. While celebrated for capturing the sublime beauty of the land, his art also served the political agenda of Manifest Destiny. As you look at this sketch, consider the complex relationship between artistic expression, national identity, and the often-overlooked narratives of those who were displaced by the landscapes Bierstadt so eloquently depicted.