In his 1863 painting of the Rocky Mountains, artist Albert Bierstadt used atmospheric perspective (aerial perspective) to help suggest a deep and sprawling landscape. In this video, we consider how he and other artists achieve this effect through their use of color and contrast. Atmospheric perspective is one of the many ways an artist might create the effect of deep space on a flat surface.

Speaker: Dr. Heather Graham

CHAPTERS

0:00 Albert Bierstadt’s Rocky Mountain scene

0:40 What is atmospheric perspective?

1:00 Replicating the effects of atmosphere through color and contrast

1:44 Atmospheric perspective can convey ideas

2:21 Representing three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface

Learn more

Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history