San Francisco Bay 1871 - 1873

Albert Bierstadt's "San Francisco Bay" was created using oil paints, a medium closely tied to European artistic traditions. Oil paint's workability allowed Bierstadt to capture the subtle gradations of light on the water, the hazy atmosphere, and the textures of the landscape. But it’s worth noting the role of industrialization. The readymade paints he used were produced in factories, their pigments sourced from an increasingly globalized market. This is in stark contrast to earlier artist’s, who would grind their own pigments. Consider the labor implied in this image: the invisible work of those who extracted and processed the raw materials of the paints, and the artist himself, who skillfully applied them to create this scene. The painting aestheticizes the natural landscape, yet it is inextricably linked to processes of labor, industry, and consumption. Paying close attention to materials, making, and context allows a more comprehensive understanding of artwork, while challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.