Representations And Effects of Nature: A Comparative and Original Analysis of Albert Bierstadt’s Merced River in Yosemite Valley

Yıl 2026, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 50, 167 - 188, 31.01.2026

Ufuk Çetin

https://doi.org/10.21550/sosbilder.1742666

https://izlik.org/JA64XU84CA

Öz

This article examines German-American painter Albert Bierstadt’s painting, “Merced River in Yosemite Valley” Landscape painting in 19th-century American art went beyond simply representing nature aesthetically; it became a visual expression of national identity formation, expansionist ideology, and cultural relationships with nature. In this context, Albert Bierstadt’s “Merced River in Yosemite Valley” is not merely a pastoral landscape but also an ideological representation. This article examines the painting not only historically and formally, but also through a comparative and original analysis iconographically, focusing on the following research question: How does the representation of nature in Albert Bierstadt’s painting “Merced River in Yosemite Valley” establish a visual and conceptual relationship with Manifest Destiny, the ideology of 19th-century American expansion, and what narrative gaps in art history does this representation necessitate re-evaluating in the context of American identity formation and understanding of nature during the period?

Anahtar Kelimeler

19th century American painting , Hudson River School , Albert Bierstadt , Luminism , Romanticism

Etik Beyan

The article has been prepared in accordance with research and publication ethics. This study does not require ethics committee approval.

DOĞANIN TEMSİLİ VE ETKİLERİ: ALBERT BIERSTADT’IN “YOSEMITE VADİSİ’NDEKİ MERCED NEHRİ” ÜZERİNE KARŞILAŞTIRMALI VE ÖZGÜN BİR ANALİZ

https://izlik.org/JA64XU84CA

Öz

Makale Alman asıllı Amerikalı bir ressam olan Albert Bierstadt’ın “Yosemite Vadisi’ndeki Merced Nehri” isimli tablosu üzerinedir. 19. yüzyıl Amerikan sanatında peyzaj resmi, yalnızca doğayı estetik olarak temsil etmenin ötesinde, ulusal bir kimlik oluşumunun, genişleme ideolojisinin ve doğayla kurulan kültürel ilişkilerin görsel bir ifadesi hâline gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda Albert Bierstadt’ın “Yosemite Vadisi’ndeki Merced Nehri “adlı eseri, yalnızca pastoral bir manzara değil, aynı zamanda ideolojik bir temsildir. Bu makale, söz konusu tabloyu yalnızca tarihsel ve biçimsel düzeyde değil, aynı zamanda karşılaştırmalı ve özgün bir analizle ikonografik olarak inceleyerek şu araştırma sorusuna odaklanmaktadır: Albert Bierstadt’ın “Yosemite Vadisi’ndeki Merced Nehri” adlı tablosunda doğa temsili, 19. yüzyıl Amerikan genişleme ideolojisi olan Manifest Destiny ile nasıl bir görsel ve kavramsal ilişki kurmaktadır ve bu temsil biçimi, dönemin Amerikan kimlik oluşumu ve doğa anlayışı bağlamında sanat tarihindeki hangi anlatı boşluklarını yeniden değerlendirmeyi gerektirir?

Anahtar Kelimeler

19. yüzyıl Amerikan resmi , Hudson Nehir Okulu , Albert Bierstadt , Luminizm , Romantizm

Etik Beyan

Makale araştırma ve yayın etiğine uygun olarak hazırlanmıştır. Yapılan bu çalışma etik kurul izni gerektirmemektedir.

Kaynakça

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