Shandaken Mountains 

Here, we have Asher Brown Durand's "Shandaken Mountains", an oil on canvas, that encapsulates the Romantic era's fascination with the American landscape. Durand, a leading figure of the Hudson River School, painted this landscape in a period defined by expansionism and the idealization of nature. Durand's work exists within a complex historical context, particularly regarding Indigenous displacement. The romantic portrayal of untouched wilderness often obscures the violent history of colonization and the forced removal of native populations from these lands. The presence of settlers amidst this landscape serves as a subtle assertion of ownership and dominance. "Shandaken Mountains" encourages us to reflect on how landscape painting has historically played a role in shaping perceptions of land, identity, and belonging, while prompting us to question the narratives that underpin our understanding of American history. It also emphasizes the emotional connection to nature, inviting viewers to consider their own relationship with the landscapes they inhabit.