Landscape, New Hampshire 1859

Albert Bierstadt painted this landscape of New Hampshire using oil on canvas. The smooth, even surface showcases a tradition of landscape painting linked to romantic ideals. Looking closely, you'll notice how the paint is carefully applied in thin layers, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Bierstadt’s technique involved building up the image through glazing and scumbling, manipulating the oil paint to capture the subtle gradations of light. This method reflects an academic approach, prioritizing the illusion of realism. But beyond the skillful rendering, consider the context. Landscape painting was popular at a time when industrialization was rapidly changing the American landscape. Artists like Bierstadt offered viewers a vision of unspoiled nature, an antidote to the anxieties of modern life. The very act of painting this scene— extracting pigments, preparing the canvas— connects to broader social and economic forces. Ultimately, this landscape reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images are shaped by materials, making, and the world around them.