Round Lake and Lake Pleasant 1851

Curator: Here we have Sanford Robinson Gifford's pencil sketch, titled "Round Lake and Lake Pleasant." Editor: It feels so fragile, almost like a whisper of a landscape. The light is incredibly soft. Curator: Gifford was a prominent figure in the Hudson River School, and his landscapes often captured a sense of idealized American scenery. Editor: I’m thinking about manifest destiny while looking at this. The way this landscape is presented almost obscures the realities of colonial violence and Indigenous displacement. Curator: I think you’re right, and it's important to remember that the Hudson River School often promoted a specific narrative about the American landscape. Editor: Absolutely. It's a reminder that landscapes aren't just passive scenes; they’re charged with historical meaning. Curator: Well, it gives us something important to consider, and really dig into while appreciating Gifford’s talent. Editor: Yes, I agree, it shows how art can be both beautiful and deeply implicated in social and political narratives.