Cowlitz River; Kelso, Washington (from Sketchbook) 1890

Albert Bierstadt created this pencil sketch of the Cowlitz River in Kelso, Washington, sometime in the late 19th century. As a preparatory sketch, the drawing’s inherent quality lies in its lines, which capture a landscape undergoing significant transformation. The pencil work is sparse yet descriptive, mapping the river's course and the surrounding vegetation. It gives you a glimpse into the artist’s method, a preliminary stage of Bierstadt’s artistic process. The paper itself is a common, mass-produced material, reflecting the industrialization of art supplies and the changing landscape of artistic creation. While Bierstadt is known for his grand landscape paintings, this modest sketch reminds us of the labor involved in depicting such scenes. The lines are simple, the perspective rudimentary. This piece invites us to appreciate the craft behind the art, highlighting the significance of the journey and the labor involved in creating the final product.