Breech Loading Falconet (from Sketchbook) 1891

This pencil drawing by Albert Bierstadt, titled "Breech Loading Falconet," from 1891, depicts a detailed sketch of an early type of artillery. It serves as a reminder of Bierstadt's artistic interests, which extended beyond the landscapes that made him famous. The piece is a testament to his keen eye for detail and his fascination with the tools and technologies of his time. The small size of the work, 4 3/4 x 7 3/4 x 7/16 in. (12.1 x 19.7 x 1.1 cm), suggests a study or a personal work, rather than a finished piece intended for public display.