Piute Indians, Yosemite 

Thomas Hill captured this scene of Yosemite, inhabited by the Piute Indians, with oil on canvas. The monumental rock structures are dominant symbols of nature’s grandeur. The sublime, an aesthetic ideal popularized in the 19th century, emphasized the awe and terror evoked by vast landscapes. We see these natural forms echoing through time. Consider the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, artificial mountains built to commune with the gods. Or the pyramids of Egypt, symbols of power and the afterlife, their towering presence meant to inspire and dominate. These shapes recur across cultures, expressing humanity’s primal connection to the earth and sky. The emotional impact of these landscapes is undeniable. They touch a deep, subconscious part of us, evoking feelings of insignificance and wonder. This tension has resurfaced throughout history, adapted, and reinterpreted, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human expression and the enduring power of symbols.