Owens Valley, California
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Bierstadt traveled on an extended trip out West in the summer of 1872, which included a return visit to the Yosemite region where he took the sketch of Owens Valley, California. He captured the Owens River in the foreground with the newly discovered Mount Whitney looming in the background. Pockets of white snow run across the mountain range. By 1913, the picturesque Owens River water was diverted to Los Angeles, eventually leading to the destruction of the rich agricultural economy of Owen’s Valley. This conflict came to be known as the "California Water Wars."
Artwork Details
- Title: Owens Valley, California
- Maker: Albert Bierstadt (American, Solingen 1830–1902 New York)
- Date: 1872
- Geography: Country of Origin United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Oil on paper laid down on canvas
- Dimensions: 14 ¼ x 19 inches
Framed: 24 ¼ x 29 ½ inches - Credit Line: Promised Gift of Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore
- Object Number: L.2024.16.2
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing