Troy from Mount Ida (No. 11 of The Hudson River Portfolio) 1821 - 1822

John Rubens Smith created this print called, 'Troy from Mount Ida' as part of the Hudson River Portfolio in the early nineteenth century. Smith's image speaks to the cultural aspirations of a young nation, eager to cast itself in the heroic mold of classical antiquity. The artist invokes the legendary city of Troy by naming the city and suggesting a classical vantage point. This lends an air of historical importance to the young American city and its landscape. The work implies that the United States is the rightful heir to the cultural and political legacy of ancient Greece and Rome. To understand the work fully, we can turn to period literature and historical records that reveal the political climate of the early republic. Examining the reception of the Hudson River Portfolio itself, and consulting with experts in the field, allows us to appreciate the full social and institutional context of the work.