Capturing the West – Albert Bierstadt | SF Art Event | Southbay Art Classes

Albert Bierstadt

Albert Bierstadt was a German born American painter who made a name for himself painting vast landscapes. His paintings of the West from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe to the Sierra Nevadas are featured in museums across the country and even the White House!

Albert Bierstadt was born in Germany in 1830. He was only a year old when his parents came to the United States where they settled in Massachusetts. Albert showed an interest and promise in art from a young age using crayons for his early sketches. As a young adult, he returned to Germany and studied art in Düsseldorf. In 1859 he joined land surveyor Frederick W. Lander on his journey West as Lander was working for the U.S. government. A few years later, in 1863, he joined Fitz Hugh Ludlow on another journey westward and upon returning, he used his sketches to create large-scale paintings of the landscapes. Bierstadt would travel out west multiple times throughout his career to see new locations and landscapes that he could immortalize. Bierstadt was drafted during the Civil War, but he paid a man to serve in his place. He did spend some time at Camp Cameron and created Guerrilla Warfare, Civil War after his encounter.

Bierstadt received numerous awards and commendations throughout his career. He even had a private showing of two of his landscapes with Queen Victoria. In 1860 he was elected to the National Academy. After the success of his Yosemite Valley landscapes, he received invitations by every explorer heading west who wanted to capitalize on his talents as the frontier was discovered and settled by Europeans and he became the premier artist for creating paintings of the American West.

Bierstadt had a romantic approach to his paintings with the light in his paintings almost glowing. Later on in his career, his romantic style of painting was welcomed with criticism for being too dramatic and his use of lighting excessive. In 1882 a studio fire destroyed much of his work. He passed away in 1902 with most of his fame and success behind him.

Though not as prominent of an artist in current times, his works helped to cement the beauty of the American landscape around the world and brought the west to life for many.

Event of the Month

orangeland gallery
Inez Storer
On view through January 12, 2018
(Exhibition Dates Extended)
More Info

For a fun evening out, check out the works of Inez Storer at the orangeland gallery in San Francisco. The solo exhibit for the Californian native and Bay Area staple has been extended through Friday, January 12. Her work is also on display as part of the group exhibition Jewish Folktales Retold: Artist as Maggid at the The Contemporary Jewish Museum through January 28, 2018.

Art Attack is a fun and interactive art studio in the SF South Bay Area that provides instruction in the fine arts to children, teens and adults. Art Attack offers affordable Southbay art classes and painting year round to the residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. We have art classes for kids ages 5 and up with after school and weekend classes, as well as teen and adult art classes Monday through Saturday. Looking for a place to have a fun and unique party? Art Attack Burlingame also has Arty Parties which are perfect for any occasion: birthdays, showers, girl’s night out and even office team building!