Near Meadow Creek, Utah 1871

Thomas Moran captured Near Meadow Creek, Utah in this sketch from July 25th, 1871. Executed in graphite, it offers a glimpse into the visual rhetoric surrounding the American West during the 19th century. Moran, like many artists of his time, was instrumental in shaping perceptions of the Western landscape, especially regarding the notion of manifest destiny. While his work celebrated the sublime beauty of the land, it often overlooked the experiences and rights of Indigenous peoples who inhabited it. This landscape, seemingly untouched, was in reality a contested space, marked by histories of displacement and conflict. In viewing Near Meadow Creek, consider the stories that are not immediately visible. How does Moran's romantic portrayal contribute to the complex narrative of westward expansion? Think about the emotional weight of this landscape, both for those who saw it as a promise and those who lost their homes to it.