Butterfly 1896

Albert Bierstadt created this watercolor painting of a butterfly in the United States in 1896. Bierstadt was known for his large-scale landscape paintings, and this watercolor provides an interesting counterpoint to that work. Bierstadt’s landscape paintings helped shape the image of the American West in the nineteenth century, promoting expansionist ideas that were highly controversial in their impact on Indigenous populations. In light of this history, what might it mean that he turned to a subject from the natural world in later life? Was he attempting to address or reconcile his role in the cultural narratives of his time? To understand the artistic choices made here, it’s crucial to look at the cultural context in which Bierstadt was working. Primary documents and archival materials can tell us more about the artist’s life and values, shedding light on how this painting might relate to the bigger picture of American history.