ALBERT BIERSTADT, Yosemite Landscape
Circa 1890 oil on canvas attributed to Albert Bierstadt (American, 1830-1902), depicting a landscape scene from Yosemite. Painting measures 18-1/8" x 26" in 25-1/2" x 33-1/4" frame. Obtained from the great-granddaughter of the original owner. The woman's father "rescued" it from storage, where it had sustained some water damage to the bottom edge. So he trimmed off the bottom couple of inches. According to her, he wasn't too concerned because the part he trimmed had no signature ... only the conjoined initials "AB" painted in red.
Several prominent art scholars have examined the work, including American art museum curators. Despite its casual provenance (and lack of signature due to its being trimmed), the consensus seems to be that this painting should be attributed to Bierstadt. One prominent curator (none would go on record, as authentication is a liability issue nowadays) said the piece is almost certainly a late Bierstadt -- "one he painted for money," as it was a sort of "Bierstadt's Greatest Hits" piece: Several of his typical motifs are present, such as the foamy brook, the lichen on the rocks, the stormy clouds, and, of course, the dead trees. But it lacks the refinement and care of his earlier Yosemite work. Still, a careful comparison of some of those motifs -- most notably the foamy brook, the setting sun on the dead tree and the lichen on the rocks -- bears such a striking resemblance to those same elements in his known and catalogued works, it's an easy attribution to make.
Condition Report: Painting has been relined. Bottom trimmed (along with the initials). Professional restoration. Frame solid. Please check the shipping details in our terms and conditions*
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Circa 1890 oil on canvas attributed to Albert Bierstadt (American, 1830-1902), depicting a landscape scene from Yosemite. Painting measures 18-1/8" x 26" in 25-1/2" x 33-1/4" frame. Obtained from the great-granddaughter of the original owner. The woman's father "rescued" it from storage, where it had sustained some water damage to the bottom edge. So he trimmed off the bottom couple of inches. According to her, he wasn't too concerned because the part he trimmed had no signature ... only the conjoined initials "AB" painted in red.
Several prominent art scholars have examined the work, including American art museum curators. Despite its casual provenance (and lack of signature due to its being trimmed), the consensus seems to be that this painting should be attributed to Bierstadt. One prominent curator (none would go on record, as authentication is a liability issue nowadays) said the piece is almost certainly a late Bierstadt -- "one he painted for money," as it was a sort of "Bierstadt's Greatest Hits" piece: Several of his typical motifs are present, such as the foamy brook, the lichen on the rocks, the stormy clouds, and, of course, the dead trees. But it lacks the refinement and care of his earlier Yosemite work. Still, a careful comparison of some of those motifs -- most notably the foamy brook, the setting sun on the dead tree and the lichen on the rocks -- bears such a striking resemblance to those same elements in his known and catalogued works, it's an easy attribution to make.
Condition Report: Painting has been relined. Bottom trimmed (along with the initials). Professional restoration. Frame solid. Please check the shipping details in our terms and conditions*
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
