Miners in the Sierras

Charles Christian Nahl, August Wenderoth, Miners in the Sierras, 1851-1852, oil on canvas mounted on canvas, 54 ¹⁄₄ x 66 ⁷⁄₈ in. (137.7 x 169.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Fred Heilbron Collection, 1982.120

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Artwork Details

Title: Miners in the Sierras
Artists: Charles Christian Nahl
August Wenderoth
Date: 1851-1852
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 54 ¹⁄₄ x 66 ⁷⁄₈ in. (137.7 x 169.8 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of the Fred Heilbron Collection
Mediums: oil
Mediums Description: oil on canvas mounted on canvas
Classifications: Painting
Subjects: Figure group — male
Landscape — California
Western
Occupation — industry — mining
Landscape — mountain — Sierra Nevada Mountains
Architecture Exterior — domestic — cottage
Object Number: 1982.120
Research Notes: 1982.120.pdf
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1982.120

Artwork Description

Charles Christian Nahl and August Wenderoth were refugees from Germany's revolution of 1848. Like thousands before them, they came to California to find their fortunes, but as skilled entrepreneurs rather than adventurers. They built a studio in Sacramento and painted the first wave of prospectors.These miners wear red, white, and blue shirts, signaling California's importance to the nation's future.California became a state in 1850, and was already an economic powerhouse by the time the artists collaborated on this painting.