124

In the summer of 1899, Bierstadt began a trip across Canada to see some “wild places in the mountains.” Leaving Banff, Alberta due to fires, he decided to go directly to the west coast where he boarded the side-wheel steamer, Ancon, and headed for Alaska. On August 28, 1889, Ancon ran aground in Loring Bay, and the passengers were put on shore at a fishing camp until rescued. Several weeks later Bierstadt wrote from Vancouver, British Columbia to his wife, Rosalie, describing the wreck of the Ancon as a ‘narrow escape’ and [indicated] that he and the other passengers spent five days living in Indian huts and salmon canneries. “I was busy all the time and have 60 studies in color and two books full of drawings of Alaska.” [Nancy Anderson and Linda Ferber, Albert Bierstadt: Art and Enterprise, exhi. cat., Brooklyn, 1991]. The painting North Coast Indians was probably a result of Bierstadt’s experience from this fishing camp stay.

Condition ReportSurface condition is good. Craquelure throughout. Spot of inpainting in lower-left corner. Six spots of inpainting in trees on left side. A few specks of inpainting in sky.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.