Street in Nassau

In 1878 Bierstadt travelled to the Bahamas to visit his wife who began spending the winter months on the island of Nassau after being diagnosed as consumptive. Although Rosalie Bierstadt suffered from poor health, she became a member of Nassau's soical elite, frequenting social events on a regular basis. During the artist's six week stay in the Bahamas, he produced a series of paintings depicting views of the brilliant blue waters and interesting village street scenes traversed by the native inhabitants, like this fine example. The wonderful colors of the islands enlivened Bierstadt's palette and added a new subject to his repetoire.