On Long Island Sound near Shelter Island 

Robert Julian Onderdonk created "On Long Island Sound near Shelter Island" during a time when American artists were increasingly exploring national identity through landscape. In this serene seascape, Onderdonk paints more than just a scene; he evokes a sense of peace and belonging reflective of early 20th-century American ideals. The subtle interplay of light on water and the gentle forms of the clouds and land speak to a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Yet, this idealized vision subtly obscures the historical complexities of land ownership and use in America, particularly regarding indigenous populations. Onderdonk's choice to paint this specific location invites reflection on the narratives of settlement and displacement that shape the American landscape. The artist's interpretation prompts us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out, urging a deeper understanding of place and identity.