Albert Bierstadt
Few artists did more to popularize the American West than German-born Albert Bierstadt. The enormous canvases he painted from sketches made during several trips to western American landmarks such as the Rocky Mountains and Mount Corcoran in the Sierra Nevada only made his reputation for panoramic landscapes grow. Bierstadt’s travels took him across the United States and Europe, though he freely changed the details of places he painted in order to heighten the drama and excitement of his compositions.
What is the impact of global tourism?
Over time, ancient Rome’s Portico of Octavia (23 BCE) fell into ruin; by the 12th century, it had become a fish market. At the time Bierstadt traveled to Italy in 1857, Rome was defined largely by its historical significance. Yet it remained an important destination for wealthy tourists—such as the American couple carrying a red tourist guidebook here at center right—who made the Grand Tour of Europe to view the roots of western civilization.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd
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