The Trappers’ Camp 1861

Albert Bierstadt's "The Trappers' Camp" from 1861 portrays a scene of nocturnal wilderness in the American West. Bathed in moonlight, a group of trappers huddle around a campfire inside a natural shelter formed by a massive fallen tree trunk. The dramatic light creates a sense of mystery and solitude, typical of the Hudson River School style. Bierstadt's meticulous detail, particularly in the representation of the trees and the natural world, contributes to the sublime grandeur of the American landscape.