The Rocky Mountains, Landers Peak
1863
Albert Bierstadt took this majestic view of the Rocky Mountains from sketches he made during a surveying expedition in 1859, though he painted it back in his New York studio. He dramatically exaggerated the height of Lander's Peak to create a sense of awe, perfectly capturing the Romantic era's obsession with the sublime power of nature. When it debuted in 1863, it was a massive hit, selling for a record-breaking $25,000 and helping to fuel America's westward expansion dreams. Today, you can stand before this colossal canvas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and feel like you're looking out over the wild frontier yourself.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 185.1 x 305.1 cm
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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