This painting was inspired by an 1871 painting entitled Sierra Nevada by Albert Bierstadt.  Bierstadt often travelled with geological survey expeditions to record vistas and this particular scene was an assemblage of sketches made during Bierstadt’s visit to the Mt. Whitney area of the Sierra Nevadas. I was attracted to this particular painting for the amazing composition, the clarity of color, and it’s atmospheric perspective.  My painting was not intended to be an exact copy, primarily due to the size.  Bierstadt’s original painting was approximately 6′ x 10′.  My “copy” is only 8″ x 9.5″.  I learn a lot by copying the old masters, particularly in composition, and it’s a lot of fun.

I did this painting in January of 2021 during the Covid 19 “lockdown”.  That gave me a lot of time to paint and helped to pass the time.  It is an oil painting on board varnished with Damar professional varnish. I also made the barnwood frame that it is now in, from wood given to me by Joan E Gisler (Ranch Revived) in Groveland California.

This photo was taken just before signing and finishing the painting    Jan 2021