• About the Work of Art

• About the Artist
   

Looking and Discussing
Grade: 6–8; 9–12
Subject: Art, Language Arts, Social Studies

During the time the painting Sunrise, Yosemite Valley was made, America was viewed as the world’s “new Eden.” What is it about the painting that supports the idea that this landscape is like the Garden of Eden?

Artists can use color and light to express an idea or feeling. Describe the effects created by the color and light in this painting of Yosemite.

• What time of day do you think it is? What do you see in the painting that makes you say this?

• What abstract concepts might be associated with sunrise or sunset? (Sunrise is associated with a new day, regeneration, and hope. Sunset is associated with the ending of a day, closure, relaxation, and aging.)

• What direction does the light lead your eyes in the scene? If you were to step into this painting, where would you go? Why?

• How has Bierstadt used light in this painting? What kind of mood has he created by using this light?

• Look at the painting On the Cache La Poudre River, Colorado by Worthington Whittredge and compare and contrast it to Sunrise, Yosemite Valley by Bierstadt. Consider how the older Whittredge may have influenced the style and composition of Bierstadt, who spent time with him in Germany during the early days of his career. (Notice the artists’ treatment of the trees, and how each artist’s angle of view invites the viewer to step into the landscape.)

Writing
Grade: 4–5; 6–8
Subject: Language Arts, Social Studies

Proposal for a National Park

• Based on what you see in Bierstadt’s painting, write a persuasive letter to Congress about the need to establish a national park surrounding Yosemite Valley. Why should this area be protected from commercial development? What benefits would a national park bring to citizens? How should it be used? Research the history of the formation of the national parks.

Camping in California—A Journal

• In the 1860s most people lived east of the Mississippi River and had not traveled as far west as California. Based on what you can see in Sunrise, Yosemite Valley, imagine what it would be like to camp in this California terrain. Make a list of the equipment needed, mode of travel, and food to bring or find along the way. Extend this activity by considering what it is like to camp in Yosemite today. You may want to use the student activity sheet Then and Now in the Activities section.

Drawing
Grade: 4–5; 6–8
Subject: Art, Social Studies

Dramatic Landscape

• What makes this painting dramatic—the use of color, diagonal lines versus horizontal lines, overlapping? Color can also help to give the illusion of deep space. Where has Bierstadt used dark values to imply depth?

• Have students create their own dramatic landscape making preliminary sketches with pencil and crayon, deciding what they want in the foreground, middle ground, and background. Encourage them to keep the basic components—trees, water, sky, clouds, and overlapping mountains.

Scenic Attractions

• Make a poster that highlights one or more of Yosemite’s major attractions. You may need to research the park’s features on the Internet or in books. Draw pictures of the attractions or cut pictures from pamphlets and brochures. Glue the pictures to a poster. Label the attractions and add information strips underneath each picture. This can be done either as though you were living in Bierstadt’s time or in the present day.

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