Shinnecock Hills, Long Island 

William Merritt Chase created "Shinnecock Hills, Long Island" with oil on canvas, capturing a landscape in transition. Chase established an art school in the Shinnecock Hills area of Long Island, one of the largest Native American reservations in New York, in 1891. Here, Chase applies an impressionistic lens to the landscape, depicting the natural beauty of Long Island and the atmospheric quality of light and color. But what is missing? The Shinnecock people themselves are notably absent from Chase’s landscape. The painting invites us to contemplate the relationship between art, identity, and the representation of place. As a privileged, white artist, Chase’s vision may not fully capture the lived experiences and historical context of the Shinnecock community and their connection to the land. As you stand before "Shinnecock Hills, Long Island," consider the stories and perspectives that may be missing from the frame. How does the act of observing and interpreting art shape our understanding of history?