The Domes of The Yosemite, Albert Bierstadt

The Domes of the Yosemite is unique in many aspects, including its size, age, and historical significance. At nearly 15 feet wide, The Domes is the largest work Bierstadt completed, even requiring the construction of special scaffolding to work on the painting. As the painting passes its sesquicentennial, it continues to impress.

The Domes also encapsulates an historical crossroads in American history. In the wake of the Civil War, the late 19th century represented a period of exploration as Americans forged west and continued to redefine the country’s character. Bierstadt’s works, like The Domes, brought images of the country’s grandeur to Americans in the east. A contemporary New York paper noted, “It is worth a week’s travel to see this great picture, and it is with pride that we contemplate the work, and know that these grand hills are in our own country.”