Pine Tree 1847

Jasper Francis Cropsey sketched this "Pine Tree" on paper during the summer of 1845. As part of the Hudson River School, Cropsey and his contemporaries found themselves amidst a rapidly industrializing America, one increasingly at odds with its agrarian past and natural landscapes. Here, Cropsey’s choice to portray the pine tree elevates it to a symbol of resilience and endurance. The tree stands tall and solitary, seeming to resist the environmental changes of the time. Through his art, Cropsey seemed to be searching for an idyllic vision of a pastoral America. Yet, as we consider Cropsey’s work, let’s not forget that this was a period of expansion and dispossession, deeply affecting Native American populations. His landscapes, while beautiful, often present an empty, unclaimed vision of the land, one that brushes over the complex history of settlement and conflict. This drawing then invites us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out when we look at America’s natural beauty.