Poplars (from Sketchbook) 1890

Albert Bierstadt made this study of poplars with graphite on paper, likely en plein air, meaning outdoors. The artist's swift, light marks suggest that he observed these trees directly. Here, the process of drawing is foregrounded as a way of seeing, feeling, and capturing a fleeting impression, an approach that was in line with broader artistic movements of the time. The immediacy of the drawing, a departure from the meticulous detail often associated with Bierstadt's grand landscapes, hints at a shift in artistic priorities. Unlike the labor-intensive work of academic painting, this drawing privileges spontaneity, prioritizing the artist's direct experience of nature. It's a record of a moment, an idea quickly jotted down for later reference, or perhaps simply for the pleasure of the act itself. This sketchbook page serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated artists engage in moments of informal exploration, using humble materials to unlock profound insights.