Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902

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Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was a landscape painter from New York, N.Y.

From the description of Albert Bierstadt letters, 1880-1893. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 233006971

Landscape painter; New York, N.Y.

From the description of Albert Bierstadt letters, 1880-1893. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122557002

German-American painter.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : New York, to Hiram Powers, 1870 Apr. 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270958184

Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was a German-American painter, who became known for his large landscapes of the American West. He was associated with the Hudson River School, a group of New York City-based landscape painters of the mid-19th century, who were influenced by Thomas Cole. In 1859, he travelled with a government survey expedition to the Wind River Range of the Rocky Mountains in what is now Wyoming and visited Yosemite in 1866, producing a number of paintings inspired by the region.

From the guide to the Albert Bierstadt Letter (MS 175), [1851 or 1881?], (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Special Collections Dept.)

Artist.

From the description of Albert Bierstadt correspondence, 1864-1879. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450654

American painter.

From the description of Letters sent, 1867, 1879. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 80745054

Bierstadt was a landscape painter; New York, N.Y.

From the description of Albert Bierstadt letter to Gen. Nelson Miles, 1873. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 226956310

German-born artist, painter of the American West. Writing to William N. Byers, a pioneer Colorado newspaperman.

From the description of Letter, 1891 June 3, London, to Mr. Byers. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 13659451

Albert Bierstadt was a landscape and animal painter. Born in Germany on Jan. 7, 1830, he came to America as a baby and grew up in New Bedford, Ma. He returned to Germany at the age of 23 and studied painting there and in Rome until 1857. In 1858 Bierstadt made a trip to the American West. In 1860 he settled in New York City and was made a National Academician. For a number of years Bierstadt had a studio at Irvington-on-the-Hudson, but after 1882 he lived in New York City permanently. He died there in 1902. His sister, Eliza, was involved in his career.

From the description of Collection, 1855-1927. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 84666148

Albert Bierstadt was born in Solingen, Germany, in January 1830. His family emigrated to the United States when he was two years of age and settled in Bedford, Massachusetts.

In 1853 Bierstadt traveled to Germany to study painting at the Düsseldorf Art Academy. In 1858, following his return to the United States, he gained national attention for organizing a large exhibition of paintings including fifteen of his own works. Bierstadt drew inspiration from the painters of the Hudson River School, and regularly visited the White Mountains of New Hampshire to make sketches for his landscape paintings.

In 1859 Bierstadt traveled to the Colorado and Wyoming territories sketching landscapes in the company of a United States government survey expedition. On his return he took studio space at the new Tenth Street Studio Building in New York City and began a series of large-scale western landscape paintings, including Yosemite Valley and Thunderstorm in the Rocky Mountains . These paintings, known for their theatrical and romantic depiction of the grandeur and drama of the American West, brought Bierstadt great popularity during the 1860s.

Bierstadt's paintings were widely exhibited in the United States and abroad and commanded some of the highest prices in American art at the time, although his reputation began to decline somewhat in the 1880s in the face of changing public tastes.

Bierstadt was a member of the Century Association from 1862-1902 and a member of the National Academy of Design from 1860 until his death in 1902.

From the guide to the Albert Bierstadt letter collection, 1860-1900, (Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Corcoran Gallery Of Art. Correspondence, 1831 1840.
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Letters to William Prescott, 1859-1865. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Thomas Seir Cummings papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Corcoran Gallery Of Art. Letters Sent, 1869 1875.
referencedIn Colorado Prospector : historical highlights from early day newspapers, v. 13, n. 8, 1982 Aug. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Watkins, Carleton E., 1829-1916. Photographic portraits of prominent Californians and visitors to San Francisco, Calif., 1871-1876 [graphic]. California historical society
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Fairchild, Lucius, 1831-1896. Lucius Fairchild papers, 1819-1943. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Gordon Hendricks research files on American artists Archives of American Art
referencedIn Boulder Daily Camera. Focus Magazine 1974 April 7. Boulder Public Library
referencedIn Photographic portraits of prominent Californians and vistors to San Francisco, circa 1871-1876 California historical society
referencedIn Cleveland, Henry Whitney, b. 1836. Henry Whitney Cleveland papers, 1864-1904. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Sanford Robinson Gifford papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
creatorOf Bodmer, Karl, 1809-1893. Artists of the American West photograph collection, 1835-1890. Museum of the Great Plains
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Collection, 1815-1927 (bulk: 1854-1899) Winterthur Library
referencedIn Weekes family. Papers, 1663-1969. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Bierstadt, Albert : Biographical file. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
referencedIn Cartes-de-visite album and biographies, ca. 1875-1876. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Letter to Thomas C. Acton, 1880 Apr. 28. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Henry Ernest Schnakenberg papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Autograph letter signed : New York, to Hiram Powers, 1870 Apr. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Letter, 1891 June 3, London, to Mr. Byers. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902 : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Robert Neuhaus papers relating to Clyfford Still and Albert Bierstadt Archives of American Art
creatorOf Albert Bierstadt Letter (MS 175), [1851 or 1881?] University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Special Collections Dept.
referencedIn Jennings, Annie Burr, 1855-1939,. Annie Burr Jennings collection, 1775-1930 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Frémont, Jessie Benton, 1824-1902. ALS, 1874 April 7, Thursday : 44 Park Avenue, New York, to Albert Bierstadt. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Franz R. and Kathryn M. Stenzel Collection of Western American Art Addition, 1853-1962 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Theodore Roosevelt Collection: Books, pamphlets, periodicals, 18-- - <ongoing> Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt : artist file : study photographs and reproductions of works of art with accompanying documentation 1930?-1990 [graphic] [compiled by staff of The Museum of Modern Art, New York]. Frick Art Reference Library of The Frick Collection
referencedIn Rood, Ogden N. (Ogden Nicholas), 1831-1902. Papers, 1855-1902. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Carson, Joseph, Mrs. Autograph collection, 1785-1945 (bulk 1814-1890). Winterthur Library
referencedIn Selected art related papers from the Simon Gratz Collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Letters sent, 1867, 1879. Getty Research Institute
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Hay, John, 1838-1905. Correspondence, 1854-1914, "Bickford" to "Brassey". Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Miscellaneous photographs collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert. [Albert Bierstadt] : artist file John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library, Ringling Museum Library
creatorOf Leutze, Emanuel, 1816-1868. Letters. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Selected art related letters from Historical Society of Pennsylvania's Society Collection Archives of American Art
referencedIn Riggs Family Papers, 1763-1945 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Marsh, Othniel Charles, 1831-1899. Othniel Charles Marsh papers, 1817-1899 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Rocky Mountains (with Indian camp) [art original] Denver Public Library, Central Library
creatorOf Mack, Florence,. Autographs. Colorado College, Tutt Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt letter to William H. Lippincott, 1887. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt letter to Mr. Moran : ALS, 1867 December 26. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
referencedIn Henry Villard papers, 1604-1948 (inclusive), 1863-1900 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Augustus Mendon Lord collection, Lord (Augustus Mendon) collection, (bulk 1876-1908), 1778-1908 John Hay Library, Special Collections
referencedIn Catherine H. Campbell papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt correspondence, 1864-1879. Library of Congress
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Bridal Veil Falls [art original] : [in the valley of the Yosemite]. Denver Public Library, Central Library
referencedIn Brooklyn Museum. Dept. of Painting and Sculpture. Institutional file, Exhibitions. Albert Bierstadt, art & enterprise. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Bierstadt collection 1863-1957. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Mayor, Harriet Hyatt, 1901-1980. Correspondence, 1862-1928. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Marsh, Othniel Charles, 1831-1899. Papers, 1817-1899 Yale University Library
referencedIn Stillman, William James, 1828-1901. Letters to William James Stillman and John Durand from artists, 1854-1861. Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Letter to Horace Howard Furness, 1861. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt artist file. Whitney Museum of American Art, Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
creatorOf Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890. ALS, 1874 June 29 : Tarrytown, to Albert Bierstadt, Waterville, New York. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt letter to "My dear Hyatt", 1862. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. ALS, 1878 May 9 and 1878 May 15 : New York, to Hon. George F. Edmunds, Washington, D.C. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Albert Bierstadt letter collection Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Sketchbook, 1859 (inclusive). Rutgers University
referencedIn Morse, James Herbert, b. 1841. Diaries, 1866-1911. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Robert B. Honeyman, Jr. Collection of Early Californian and Western American Pictorial Material Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bierstadt, Albert, 1830-1902. Albert Bierstadt autograph letter to Samuel P. Avery, 1865. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Franz R. and Kathryn M. Stenzel Collection of Western American Art Addition, 1853-1962 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Albert Bierstadt letters and miscellany, 1866-1875 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Ralph Waldo Emerson letters from various correspondents, ca. 1814-1882. Houghton Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Albert Bierstadt, person
associatedWith Anthony, Alfred Williams, 1860-1939. person
correspondedWith Avery, Samuel Putnam, 1822-1904 person
associatedWith Bancroft, George. person
associatedWith Bierstadt Brothers (Firm) corporateBody
correspondedWith Bierstadt, Edward person
correspondedWith Bierstadt, Eliza person
associatedWith Bierstadt, Eliza, 1833-1896. person
associatedWith Boulder Daily Camera. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Museum. Dept. of Painting and Sculpture. corporateBody
associatedWith Bryant, William Cullen, 1794-1878. person
correspondedWith Byers, William N. (William Newton), 1831-1903 person
associatedWith Campbell, Catherine H. person
associatedWith Carson, Joseph, Mrs. person
associatedWith Cleveland, Henry Whitney, b. 1836. person
associatedWith Corcoran Art Gallery corporateBody
associatedWith Cummings, Thomas Seir, 1804-1894. person
associatedWith Duveen, Albert, person
associatedWith Edmunds, George F. (George Franklin), 1828-1919. person
correspondedWith Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882 person
associatedWith Evans, William T., 1843-1918. person
associatedWith Fairchild, Lucius, 1831-1896. person
associatedWith Frémont, Jessie Benton, 1824-1902. person
associatedWith Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890. person
associatedWith Gifford, Sanford Robinson person
associatedWith Gifford, Sanford Robinson, 1823-1880. person
associatedWith Gratz, Simon, person
associatedWith Hay, John, 1838-1905. person
associatedWith Hendricks, Gordon. person
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
associatedWith Historical Society of Pennsylvania. corporateBody
associatedWith Honeyman, Robert B. person
associatedWith Hunt, William Holman, 1827-1910. person
associatedWith Jennings, Annie Burr, 1855-1939, person
associatedWith Leutze, Emanuel, 1816-1868. person
correspondedWith Lippincott, William Harrison person
associatedWith Long, M. H. person
associatedWith Lord, Augustus Mendon, 1861-1941 person
associatedWith Mack, Florence, person
correspondedWith Macleod, William person
associatedWith Marsh, Othniel Charles, 1831-1899. person
correspondedWith Mayor, Harriet Hyatt, 1901-1980 person
associatedWith Moran, Thomas, 1837-1926. person
associatedWith Morse, James Herbert, b. 1841. person
associatedWith Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Neuhaus, Robert, 1909- person
associatedWith Orton, Edward, 1863-1932. person
associatedWith Powers, Hiram, 1805-1873, person
associatedWith Prescott, William C. (William Chase), 1821-1907, person
associatedWith Read family. person
correspondedWith Riggs family family
associatedWith Roberts, Charles, person
associatedWith Rood, Ogden N. (Ogden Nicholas), 1831-1902. person
associatedWith Schnakenberg, H. E. (Henry Ernest), 1892-1970. person
associatedWith Smillie family. family
associatedWith Stenzel, Franz. person
associatedWith Stenzel, Franz. person
associatedWith Stillman, William James, 1828-1901. person
associatedWith Stoddard, W. O. person
associatedWith The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Tremont, W. B. person
correspondedWith Villard, Henry, 1835-1900 person
associatedWith Watkins, Carleton E., 1829-1916. person
associatedWith Weekes family. family
associatedWith Whitney Museum of American Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Wunder, Richard P., person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Yosemite National Park (Calif.)
United States
Bridalveil Fall (Calif.)
Rocky Mountains
Yosemite National Park (Calif.)
New York (State)--New York
United States
West (U.S.)
New York (State)--New York
West (U.S.)
New York (State)--New York
Yosemite National Park (Calif.)
Subject
Art, American
Artists, American
Art
Art
Artists
Artists
Artists
Artists' preparatory studies
Artists' studios
Artists' studios
Art patrons
Butterflies
Drawing
Drawing, American
Engraving, American
Fine Arts
Hudson River school of landscape painting
Indian art
Indians of North America
Landscape painters
Landscape painters
Landscape painting
Lithography, American
Painting, American
Painting, American
Real property
Watercolor painting
Waterfalls
Occupation
Artists
Painter
Painters
Activity

Person

Birth 1830

Death 1892

Birth 1830-01-08

Death 1902-02-18

Active 1819

Active 1943

Germans

Information

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Ark ID: w6b09xqx

SNAC ID: 87750660