(artist profile – Albert Bierstadt)

A couple months ago, I was walking into work and the phrase, “a life of constant discovery”, was ringing in my head like a bell. I believe one of the greatest gifts we have been given is the gift of curiosity. It is by curiosity that Moses encountered God through a burning bush, Nehemiah was led back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, the disciples got out of their boats to follow Jesus, and many other grand adventures began after stepping forward. We were made to discover the environment around us. Often artists highlight this quality of curiosity through the nature of their work. One of my favorite German-American artists, who led “a life of constant discovery”, is Albert Bierstadt.

I have mentioned Albert Bierstadt in a previous blog, “serendipitous learning“, but only in passing. He had a mighty impact on art in the United States, especially by surveying the beautiful, diverse landscapes from east to west. What a better time than as we celebrate the birthday of America to recognize such an artist. Beyond his craft, Bierstadt holds a special place in my heart because the mountain named after him in my home state was the first 14ner I climbed.

Bierstadt was one of the first artists to venture out to the far west and capture the majestic splendor of the interior country of the United States, his first surveying trip was in 1857. Bierstadt was known and respected for his great endeavors through untrodden paths searching for the hidden glory in creation. His rendition of scenery is noted by dramatic lighting, intricate detail, and grandeur which sparks the imagination of viewers. While at times he may have added more drama into the painting than was there in real life, the result was quite moving. People are easily enraptured by his art and drawn in to the experience of awe and wonder.

Bierstadt’s existing works reveal great craftsmanship, however early in his artistic career some have written that he was not the best artist. He became well known due to his eye for business and marketing. Rather than sticking solely to one sphere of artistry, Bierstadt was unafraid to pursue what he wanted and learn how to work within a given system. An “eye for business” takes a certain level of attentiveness to the social environment, which he was able to successfully leverage and deliver his art to the masses.

Curiosity led Bierstadt to seek outside the conventional forms of art and discover newer movements such as, luminism. Luminism marked his career but was not forever engrained in his style, he remained fluid in creative pursuits until the end. Luminism is unique because of the way it renders light as a uniform glow. The glow radiates throughout the scene without viewers even noticing the artist’s brushstroke. Luminism creates a sense of silence, peace, and presence of being.

A life of constant discovery is noticeable in artists, but anybody is able to create a discovery/curious mindset. We are capturing the landscape of our lives that God has set for us. How we view and interact with this life will impact the image others see when looking at us. God’s light, through the presence of His Holy Spirit, will illuminate the painting of our lives, if we so allow. He is the source of our peace, joy, love, and so much more. Sometimes we are positioned in a way where we cannot see His brushstrokes in a given season, His presence is just pervasive as the luminism light, with a sense of peace knowing He is here.

As we go into the full celebrations on the Fourth of July, I am excited for the various ways I get to engage with discovering more about the community around me. Tea with a good friend, paddleboarding on the lake set against the backdrop of the mountains Bierstadt traversed so many years ago, and discovering stories of new and old friends through feasting and celebrating all color in the experience of my life. Discovery is not relegated to the biggest moments in life, but a daily mindset of curiosity to seek.

Happy Fourth of July!