Sunrise over Forest and Grove 

Albert Bierstadt likely painted this small oil on paper study, Sunrise over Forest and Grove, sometime in the late nineteenth century. The artist has employed classic painting techniques to achieve this atmospheric effect. Notice the texture of the paint, built up in layers to create the illusion of depth and light. The artist’s hand is evident in every brushstroke, a testament to the skill and labor required to produce such a work. While oil paint on its own can be considered traditional, Bierstadt’s methods do not take into account industrialization or the wider social issues tied to labor, politics, and consumption. This painting is the product of a well-honed and established artistic practice, but also the cultural values of the time, with the advent of industry and an appetite for manufactured goods. Ultimately, this painting reminds us that materials, making, and context are crucial to the significance of an artwork.