Jupiter Terrace 

Thomas Moran made this oil painting, Jupiter Terrace, in 1895. The image captures the grandeur of the American West, a popular theme in 19th-century American art, but it also hints at the changing relationship between humans and the environment. Moran was part of the Hudson River School, a group of artists who emphasized the sublime beauty of the American landscape. The image presents a vast, almost otherworldly vista, drawing viewers to the beauty of the natural world. But we must consider the social and political context in which it was made. During the late 19th century, westward expansion was in full swing, and artists like Moran played a role in promoting settlement and resource extraction. His paintings helped to shape public perception of the American West as a land of boundless opportunity. In this context, Jupiter Terrace romanticized a landscape that was increasingly threatened by industrialization and ecological change. We can view it as a window into America’s complex relationship with its environment during this period.