Looking West, from Dollar Island, Lake George 1879

David Johnson created "Looking West, from Dollar Island, Lake George," as an oil on canvas. It exemplifies the Hudson River School's approach to landscape painting in 19th century America. This artistic movement emphasized the sublime beauty of the American wilderness, often laced with a sense of national pride and expansionist ideology. Johnson's careful depiction invites the viewer to contemplate the scene. The small figures in the boat serve to highlight the grandeur of nature. The piece idealizes the American landscape, reflecting a cultural desire to see the United States as a new Eden, untouched and pure. Yet, the scene is also one of leisure, hinting at the increasing accessibility of such landscapes to a growing middle class. Understanding this painting requires us to look at travel guides, tourist accounts, and the writings of art critics of the time. These resources help reveal the complex relationship between art, culture, and the evolving American identity.