William Bradford
American
William Bradford meticulously documented the Arctic in photographs during his expeditions. Photography lent credibility to the artist’s claims of a truthful representation of nature, and professional photographers accompanied him on every trip from 1863 onward. Bradford saw photography’s potential to bridge the gap between art and science, and he became one of the first artists to champion—and heavily rely on—this new medium.
Born
1823
Died
1892
Have you ever been on a great adventure?
The horizontal expanse of this scene exaggerates the openness of the uncharted Arctic. A single ship among icebergs became Bradford’s best-known subject, and he painted from personal experience and photographs of Arctic expeditions. He participated in several explorations—opportunities he used to study nature, glaciers, and icebergs for later inclusion in his paintings.
Medium
Oil on canvas
Credit
Gift of Agnes van Eck Reed
Item ID
1991.39
Dimensions
29 5/8 x 47 5/8 in. (75.2 x 121 cm)
Date
ca. 1880
Country
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Albert Bierstadt (ca. 1877)
Artist name
William Bradford
Artwork location