Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902), German-American
A Quiet Cove, undated
OIL ON CANVAS, 24 x 32 inches

Given in memory of Peter S. Brown, son of Peacham resident, V. Anne Brown, by family friends Jess and Tia Ravich of Pacific Palisades, California

This serene depiction of a small mountain lake bears a strong sense of sentiment, which critics and artists alike championed as an attribute of landscape painting during the mid-nineteenth century. Although their sites were usually recognizable, painters such as Albert Bierstadt often strove to distill a feeling in their compositions, rather than accentuate careful detail. Great art was believed to transcend mundane reality, and convey a sense of divine presence in the world. A Quiet Cove is an idealized rendering, offering the viewer a sense of peace and respite in a sunny, verdant countryside. Individual details are subordinated to that principal experience.