San Francisco Bay by Albert Bierstadt Poster

Albert Bierstadt’s San Francisco Bay (1871–1873) is a captivating oil painting on paperboard that beautifully depicts the serene coastal landscape of San Francisco Bay during the late 19th century. Known for his grand portrayals of the American West, Bierstadt here captures the calm waters and atmospheric light of the bay with his signature romantic realism and luminist style. The painting reflects the natural beauty and growing importance of California’s coastline during a period of rapid expansion and development. Though modest in size (13 3⁄4 x 19 1⁄8 inches), this work exemplifies Bierstadt’s skill in rendering light and landscape with delicate detail and emotional depth. It is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, making it a prized piece for collectors and admirers of Western American art, coastal scenery, and historic landscapes.