Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) Study of Water Lilies

Exhibited "Man, Beast and Nature," Florence Lewison Gallery, New York, New York, October 6-November 14, 1964, no. 4."The John B.L. Goodwin Collection," The Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 19-May 15, 1972. Note We wish to thank Melissa Speidel, Director of the Albert Bierstadt Catalogue Raisonné Project, for kindly confirming the authenticity of the present Lot and for her assistance in cataloguing it. Almost impressionist in its execution, the present work relates to other landscape studies executed on paper and depicting trees, rocks and ferns, that Bierstadt made during his many travels to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Like many of Bierstadt’s oil on paper studies, the present work displays small tacking holes in the four corners (as well as along the top and bottom edges), indicating the artist tacked the paper to his sketch box when he worked outdoors. The application of paint is typical of a plein air work —thinly and quick brushstrokes with a localized impasto, and highlights to suggest the presence of light.

Provenance

The Artist

Mrs. Mary Stewart Bierstadt, New York, New York.

Acquired directly from the above in 1916.

Collection of H.D.G. Rohlfs, Jr., Brooklyn, New York.

Acquired directly from the Estate of the above circa 1960s.

Florence Lewison Gallery, New York, New York.

Acquired directly from the above.

Collection of John B.L. Goodwin, New York, New York; and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Inherited from the above.

Estate of Anthony P. Russo, New York, New York.

Acquired directly from the above.

Private Collection, New York, New York.