Nooning on the Platte c. 1859

"Nooning on the Platte," painted by Albert Bierstadt in 1859, depicts a covered wagon resting by a river in the American West. The painting's muted palette and emphasis on the vastness of the landscape convey a sense of quiet contemplation and the challenges of westward expansion. The oxen and the covered wagon, symbols of pioneer life, underscore the hardships and resilience of those who ventured into the unknown. Bierstadt, known for his grand Western landscapes, captures the essence of the westward migration, a theme that resonated deeply with a nation on the move.