ABOUT THE ALBUM

Edward Bierstadt, Prussian-American photographer of the nineteenth century, was a pioneer in the world of cameras and the production of images. With his brothers Charles and Albert, he introduced new techniques and devices to master the development of color photographs, portraits, and landscapes. Albert Bierstadt influenced the style adopted by his older brother Edward, especially since he was a painter in the Hudson River School, which drew them closer to the Adirondacks region.

Edward’s contribution to the way we capture our surroundings can be seen in The Adirondacks: Artotype Views in the North Woods. This photobook gathers views of Blue Mountain Lake, Raquette Lake, Forked Lake, and North Creek enveloped in a cover of paper and cotton fabric. These images capture the interaction between nature and humans through the portrayal of yawning stretches of trees, mountains, areas dedicated to camping and recreation, facilities that offer solace, and finally, means of transportation, such as steamboats, canoes, and coaches. The artist chose to represent this environment in black and white, providing a contrast to the rich colors present in the cover and first page. Perhaps this stylistic choice was to invite the reader to experience the colors of the Adirondacks in person. In fact, this collection of photos resembles a sample book for an advertisement, as it encourages readers to savor the beauty of the area. Moreover, this artwork reflects an artist who is adventurous, who is part of nature, and who can adapt and find tranquillity in nature, which is especially visible in the photographs of “Camp Cedars” and “Bits of Blue Mountain Lake.” Thus, Bierstadt downplays the idea of the Adirondacks as a hostile environment, and through his photographs we can vividly notice how rich this area is and how much it has to offer. -Elisa Iuri ’28

Edward Bierstadt
The Adirondacks: Artotype Views in the North Woods, 1889
Album of photographs on paper, printed by J. S. Nugent & Co. (NY)
Adirondack Collection, mss. 32, box 6
Special Collections
Owen D. Young Library
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY