Deer in a Landscape 

Albert Bierstadt created this oil painting, Deer in a Landscape, using traditional techniques and materials. The visible brushstrokes, the careful mixing of pigments to evoke atmospheric perspective - these are the signs of a highly trained artist. Think about the labor involved in this kind of image-making: from grinding and mixing the paints, to layering them on the canvas to create depth and texture. Bierstadt's work reflects a deep engagement with the craft of painting, and the traditions of landscape art. However, it also represents a shift towards a more commercialized art world, where artists were increasingly reliant on sales to wealthy patrons. The sublime is manufactured. By focusing on the materials and processes behind this painting, we can appreciate not only Bierstadt's skill, but also the economic and cultural forces that shaped his art. This challenges the traditional divide between art and craft, revealing the complex connections between creativity, labor, and society.