Trees (from Sketchbook) 1890

Albert Bierstadt made this sketch of trees with graphite on paper, part of a sketchbook, sometime in the nineteenth century. The swift lines belie the detailed observation that underpinned Bierstadt's large-scale landscape paintings. Working on paper allowed Bierstadt to quickly capture the essence of a scene. Here, the texture of the paper itself contributes to the overall effect, adding a sense of depth and atmosphere to the drawing. The marks are economical and utilitarian. Bierstadt would have used tools like graphite pencils, which became widely available during the industrial revolution, and a sketchbook. Such mass-produced materials democratized the art-making process, making it more accessible to artists like Bierstadt. He in turn, as with his paintings, focused on the sublime aspects of nature, and the Western expansion, which of course had its own social implications regarding labor and the use of land. Ultimately, considering the materials and modes of production used in creating "Trees" enriches our understanding of the artwork and its relationship to broader social and cultural contexts, challenging distinctions between fine art and craft.