An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
The Merced River in Yosemite1868
Artist: Albert Bierstadt
American, 1830 - 1902
Landscape
29 1/4 x 24 1/16 in. (74.3 x 61.12 cm) (sight)
30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm) (canvas)
37 7/8 x 32 5/8 x 3 1/2 in. (96.2 x 82.87 x 8.89 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
United States
19th century
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Atherton Bean in Memory of Douglas Atherton Bean
Amidst the towering granite cliffs and whispering pines of Yosemite Valley, a river flows with a serenity that speaks to the heart. The Merced River, winding gracefully through this majestic landscape, was more than just a body of water; it was a muse for the painter Albert Bierstadt, a man whose spirit thrived on adventure and beauty.
In the summer of 1863, Bierstadt embarked on his second journey west, his mind awash with dreams of the untouched wilderness. He arrived in Yosemite Valley and quickly surrendered himself to its enchanting embrace, spending seven weeks immersed in its wonders. Each day, the sun rose with a splash of warmth, illuminating the scenes that unfolded around him.
This region, a sacred ground for nature’s artistry, pulsed with life and color. The light engulfed the hills in a brilliant shimmer, casting an almost ethereal glow over everything it touched. There lay Bierstadt’s canvas—an expanse where shadows danced and details emerged in the crisp air. He sought to capture not just the beauty he saw, but the spirit of a place that felt both sacred and alive.
Through the lens of the Hudson River School, of which he was a proud member, Bierstadt translated the heart of this landscape onto his canvas. His paintings echoed the romanticized and emotive style that resonated with viewers, inviting them to lose themselves in the grandeur of nature. Here, in Yosemite, every tree and campsite held a story, illuminated by light that seemed otherworldly, each stroke of his brush telling a tale of awe and reverence.
Though his journey began across the ocean in Germany, it was in America where Bierstadt truly found his voice. Considered one of the most venerated artists of the 19th century, he wove the essence of his new homeland into every frame, painting the spirit of a land still largely unexplored. His legacy, imbued with the energy of Yosemite, remains a reflection of beauty and harmony, inviting us to step into a world where nature reigns supreme and stories abound in every corner.
About the artist
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