Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was a German-American painter who came to Colorado on an expedition in 1863. He did many on site studies of our grand mountains and returned to his studio in New York to create his masterworks on an equally grand scale. This work is 6’11” x 11’10”. Bierstadt was part of the Hudson River School and is known for his dramatic stormy skies and treatment of light.

This piece is actually of the Chicago Lakes area and Mount Evans. Here Bierstadt named the peak for a woman he would later marry but did in fact paint a view of Mount Evans.

This painting is a stunning reminder of Colorado’s luxurious geography. It seems a reminder of the light and darkness of the creation story and that God called all of creation good. It brings to mind I lift up my eyes to the hills from Psalm 121.

May we see God’s creation, every landscape, through the eyes of a painter like Albert Bierstadt. May our breath be taken away in gratitude as we do. Thanks be to God.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church