Albert Bierstadt was an important American painter of the Hudson River School, a group of painters based in New York City and active there from 1830 to 1850. His paintings are characterized by the vigorous use of light and color, their representation of figures within landscapes, and their desire to create images that viewers could appreciate on an emotional level.
As many as 4000 paintings can be attributed to Albert Bierstadt’s name. It is officially documented as 500 paintings. However, many of his paintings are scattered throughout different museums in the United States. His paintings range from watercolors to oil paintings and other illustrations.
This article will reveal some detail about Albert Bierstadt’s life, how he was able to produce so many paintings, and the kind of style he preferred to use.
What Was He Famous For?
Albert Bierstadt was an American painter who is widely known for his paintings of the American West.
Bierstadt was born in Dornburg, Germany, on April 26, 1830. The first recorded Albert Bierstadt art are all landscapes dating from roughly 1819 when he was 19. In 1828 he began to study painting under Peter von Cornelius at the Düsseldorf Academy of Art where he also met Johann Wilhelm Schirmer. The latter would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.
After completing his studies there at age 20 (in 1852), Albert moved to New York City, where he found work as an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly magazine and other publications.
During this period, Albert also traveled extensively throughout Europe, making observations about its landscape before returning home later on to South America. He spent many years there studying various types of vegetation across different regions within South America, particularly Central America, which includes Costa Rica & Panama, along with Nicaragua.
The artist Broke Away From The Hudson River School
Albert Bierstadt was one of the most important painters in American history, and he broke away from the Hudson River School in 1858. He focused on landscapes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Yosemite Valley, which were very popular with collectors and sold for high prices. The U.S. government commissioned him to paint a series of paintings depicting western scenes that were displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893).
He Did Paintings Of The West For The U.S Government
The U.S. government commissioned Bierstadt painter to do paintings of the West. He did his first painting for a private individual in 1844. Then he gained fame for his work on behalf of the government in 1850 when he became a member of its art department under Secretary William Eustis’s direction.
He created many more paintings for both public and private collections after this time, but it’s important to note that not all were created as commissioned pieces; some were done as gifts or commissions from other artists who admired his work (or wanted something done like it).
He Married Rosalie Ogden
In 1863 at the peak of his career, Bierstadt married Rosalie Ogden, with whom he had three children. At this time, he was commissioned to do paintings of the West for the government and painted German castles, Swiss mountains, and Venetian canals.
His First Exhibition Was In 1854
Bierstadt joined the Hudson River School in 1853, and his first exhibition came the following year. The group was an American art movement that focused on painting landscapes and other depictions of nature.
One of several artistic movements emerged during this period (the most prominent being the Hudson River School). However, it is still considered one of America’s most important movements due to its focus on realism and naturalism and its influence on later artists, including Thomas Moran, Frederic Edwin Church, and John Frederick Kensett.
Albert Bierstadt’s paintings were often shown at annual exhibitions alongside those by fellow members of this influential group, such as Albert Bierstadt’s uncle William Schauson or Charles Frederick Sartain (who also painted landscapes).
Albert Bierstadt’s Famous Painting
“The Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak”, which the artist painted in 1858 and is regarded as one of the finest Albert Bierstadt artworks, was inspired by one such journey.
The largest picture at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts was given to the organization by Fannie Hesselberger in 1910. Based on one of Bierstadt’s art sketching journeys in the West, it is regarded as his masterpiece.
In this painting, he depicts a view from Lander’s Peak (now known as Mount Lincoln) near present-day Great Falls, Montana. In his own words: “The Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak” was painted in 1858 while Bierstadt was traveling across America with his wife and children during their fourth tour to Europe; it depicts what he saw from this viewpoint one night at sunrise near where we stand today.”
Conclusion
Albert Bierstadt was a prolific painter who contributed to the development of American art in many ways. His work influenced other notable artists, including Thomas Moran and Frederic Church. He is also referred to as the “dean of American landscape painters” and one of the most important artists of his time.
