Mountain of the Holy Cross 1890

Thomas Moran captured this view of the Mountain of the Holy Cross, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. It reflects the cultural and historical context of Manifest Destiny and the romanticization of the American West. Moran, like many artists of his time, was instrumental in shaping the visual narrative of the Western landscape. His images were powerful tools that fostered a sense of national identity and expansionist ideology. This painting goes beyond mere representation; it intertwines faith, nature, and national destiny. The cross on the mountain, a natural formation of snow, becomes a divine symbol sanctioning westward expansion. This conflation of religious and territorial ambitions, however, often obscures the displacement and suffering of indigenous peoples. Consider how this image might have been received by those whose land was being "discovered" and claimed. Moran's majestic landscapes were imbued with a religious and nationalistic fervor, one that justified the erasure of native cultures and histories. The painting evokes a complex blend of awe, spirituality, and the troubling legacy of colonialism.