
Bierstadt and the Landscape
Albert Bierstadt first rose to artistic fame with his immense paintings of the soaring mountains and broad valleys of the American West.
In the 1860s, Bierstadt began a series of large panoramic canvases inspired by his early travels through the western United States. He conveyed the epic scale of the West by combining precise depictions of the land with backdrops of exaggerated peaks and glowing bursts of sunlight. Crowds lined up to see his work. Bierstadt’s romantic landscapes continue to define his artistic legacy today.
Written By
Nancy McClure
Nancy now does Grants & Foundations Relations for the Center of the West's Development Department, but was formerly the Content Producer for the Center's Public Relations Department, where her work included writing and updating website content, publicizing events, copy editing, working with images, and producing the e-newsletter Western Wire. Her current job is seeking and applying for funding from government grants and private foundations. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys photography, reading, flower gardening, and playing the flute.