A Light Tan-colored Mare (Primary Title)
Albert Bierstadt, American, born Germany, 1830 - 1902 (Artist)
While he is best known for his grand orchestral depictions of majestic landscapes, Bierstadt’s small, straightforward oil sketches show the artist’s interest in capturing his direct observations of horses. Historically the horse stood at the frontier of the untamed West, becoming crucial to its settlement while also serving as a popular symbol of the freedom to be found there. In this case, however, the artist disdains the romantic myth in favor of a naturalistic and sympathetic rendering of this important animal subject.
signed, lower left: "ABierstadt"
Paul Mellon Collection
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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