American Landscape:
Albert Bierstadt is a painter famous for his work depicting scenes of American landscape. This painting, creating around 1790, is no exception to his long list of brilliant masterpieces. The ominous, dark void that the perfectly illustrated cloud creates has an instant effect on the viewer. The meadow leading to it is bare and flat, which enhances the greatness of the mountains to come. This painting symbolizes the knowns and unknowns of western expansion. The dark and cloudy valley ahead represents the mystery of the path that lied ahead for those who traveled west. The light could represent the knowledge of one's surroundings and a sense of assurance. The mountain top in the distance could represent a goal that these brave souls aspired to accomplish. This picture wonderfully shows the part of the American identity, which is western expansion.