Niagara Falls with Terrapin Tower

Albert Bierstadt travelled repeatedly to Niagara Falls, first visiting in 1865 and returning in 1869, 1877, 1880, 1882 and twice in 1883, often visiting his brother Charles who lived locally. The artist may have executed the present work on one of the earlier visits, possibly in 1869. Niagara Falls with Terrapin Tower depicts the south-facing view of the falls with the 19th century observation point known as Terrapin Tower at left, which was destroyed in 1872. Other Niagara Falls subjects by Bierstadt are included in the collections of the de Young and Legion of Honor, San Francisco, California; the Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and the Biggs Museum of American Art, Dover, Delaware.