On the Wisconsin River, near Milwaukee

Albert Bierstadt visited Wisconsin in 1886 upon the occasion of an exhibition of his works at the Milwaukee Art School. There, he was enamored with the Midwestern scenery, painting his surroundings. According to Melissa Speidel, the present work depicts "the jagged profile of the distinctive geological feature that the region is famous for, the Dells of [the] Wisconsin River...Bierstadt sought the scenic throughout his career. Given their natural beauty, it is not surprising that the artist found these formations composed of layers of sedimentary rock and eroded by wind and water an appealing subject. A consummate landscape painter, he was able to masterfully capture on canvas the unique shapes and splendor of the Wisconsin Dells." (unpublished letter, 2024)