Landscape with Mountains and Hills (from Sketchbook) 1890

This pencil drawing of mountains and hills was made by Albert Bierstadt, likely in the second half of the 19th century. Rather than emphasizing the sharp, defined lines we often associate with drawing, Bierstadt coaxes the graphite to create soft transitions between land and sky. The pencil is used to capture the light and atmosphere of the landscape. See how the mountains in the distance seem to fade into the sky? The apparent simplicity of this work belies its cultural significance. Sketchbooks like this were crucial tools for artists seeking to capture the sublime beauty of the American West, fueling the romantic vision of Manifest Destiny. Consider this humble drawing not just as a preliminary study, but as a testament to the power of simple materials to shape our understanding of landscape and nationhood.