Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Trail c. 1873

Albert Bierstadt painted Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Trail, in the United States, during the late 19th century. This work is an example of landscape painting that romanticizes the American West, but also plays into ideas about expansion. The image is constructed through dramatic contrasts of light and shadow that emphasize the sublime grandeur of the natural world. We see tiny figures on horseback, dwarfed by the scale of the landscape, which speaks to a cultural narrative promoting the heroic conquest of nature. It's important to remember that Yosemite was also home to indigenous peoples, such as the Ahwahnechee, who were displaced by westward expansion. For a deeper understanding, it is essential to consider the historical context of manifest destiny and the complex relationship between landscape painting, national identity, and the displacement of native populations. This necessitates looking at historical archives, travel narratives, and indigenous histories.