Week 7: Manifest Destiny

By, Henry Lewis (1840's)
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/reference/ttmmrblinesBC43083.html

This 19th Century painting by Henry Lewis portrays America's development and modernity, as well as its Manifest Destiny. Lewis has incorporated both the introduction of America's modernity, as well as the lives of the Native people. He has portrayed America's landscape as open, vast and spacious. Lewis has stressed America's beauty through the mountains that can be seen in the far distance. In the addition to this, he has also distinguished the Native Americans from the settlers through the use of colour. In the foreground, where it appears very dark, Native Americans can be seen with their teepee's which dominates the foreground of the painting. Lewis has also made reference to their culture and way of living, through showing their tribal dance. However, it is clear to the viewer that the development of America, its modernity and settlement are the primary aspect to the painting. In contrast to the Native side of the painting, America's importance is portrayed through much lighter colours. The notion of settlement dominates almost the entire painting. The modernity of America is shown through the development of the buildings, and in particular the main building which bears the American flag. The fact that Lewis has placed the American flag almost completely in the middle of the painting, although it is quite small, could be symbolic of his patriotism towards the United States. Also, the fact that settlement and modernity out weighs the overall painting strengthens this view. However, it is true to say that Lewis hasn't completely separated the Native Americans from the new settlement as more teepee's can be seen in the middle. The significance of this is that Lewis is showing a sort of integration, whereby America is becoming a multi-cultural country. Overall, Lewis recognises the importance of both the settlers and the Native Americans. Although settlement dominates the painting, the integration of both is recognised as equally important.