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Owen’s Valley, California

Albert Bierstadt American

Not on view

Bierstadt traveled on an extended trip out West in the summer of 1872, which included a return visit to the Yosemite region where he took the sketch of Owens Valley, California. He captured the Owens River in the foreground with the newly discovered Mount Whitney looming in the background. Pockets of white snow run across the mountain range. By 1913, the picturesque Owens River water was diverted to Los Angeles, eventually leading to the destruction of the rich agricultural economy of Owen’s Valley. This conflict came to be known as the "California Water Wars."

Owen’s Valley, California, Albert Bierstadt (American, Solingen 1830–1902 New York), Oil on paper laid down on canvas, American

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