Street in Nassau 1878

Albert Bierstadt made this oil on paper painting, Street in Nassau, at an unknown date. Bierstadt used traditional fine art materials to create this scene. Applying thin layers of oil paint to build up textures and details, he captures the light and atmosphere of the Bahamas. But look closer, and you'll see this isn't just a pretty picture. The very act of painting this scene, and the choice of subject matter, speaks to the social context of the time. Consider Bierstadt's position as a landscape painter catering to a wealthy, predominantly white audience. His paintings often romanticized exotic locales, fueling a desire for travel and consumption. This work, painted with a clear skill, invites us to consider the relationship between art, tourism, and colonial expansion. The artwork's material presence is a lens through which we can see the complex interplay of labor, politics, and consumption in the late 19th century.