In
this scene, Bierstadt has captured that fascinating stretch of land
that rises from valley's edge to the high mountains. This is not nature as a backyard garden. This
is clearly wilderness: the view is expansive, there is no sign of
man, and a bear is eating its kill in the left foreground.
But it doesn't quite have the qualities of the sublime: there is
nothing fearsome and dangerous about it. The colors lend warmth
to the scene. The rugged, snow-covered mountains which could
represent danger are way in the distance and only add to the overall
beauty of the scene. Elk drink from the river. There is a
balance of trees and open grasslands, gentle lands and rocky
outcroppings. You almost want to curl up under one of the
trees, lay back and soak it all in -- that is, as long as you can stay
a respectful distance away from the bear.
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