Catskill Mountain House 1855

Jasper Francis Cropsey painted "Catskill Mountain House" to capture an iconic landmark in the Hudson River School style. The painting reflects a period when American artists turned to their own landscapes, seeking a national identity separate from Europe. Cropsey's work embodies the 19th-century American fascination with nature, infused with a sense of manifest destiny and the romantic sublime. Yet, this overlooks the displacement and erasure of indigenous people who originally inhabited and stewarded these lands. The painting is a testament to the complicated relationship between expansion, nature, and identity in the American landscape. It invites us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out. As you stand here, reflect on the layers of history beneath this picturesque scene and the ongoing dialogue about land, belonging, and representation.