La Salle Erecting a Cross and Taking Possession of the Land. March 25, 1682 1847 - 1848

"La Salle Erecting a Cross and Taking Possession of the Land. March 25, 1682" is a painting by George Catlin created between 1847 and 1848. The artwork depicts the historical event of explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle claiming the Mississippi River Valley for France in 1682. Catlin’s depiction of this scene highlights the interaction between the European explorers and the Native American tribes in the region. The scene is set amidst a verdant landscape with trees and native dwellings in the background, highlighting the clash of cultures in the exploration of the American West.