View of Pike's Peak 1872

"View of Pike's Peak" was painted by George Caleb Bingham, though the exact date is unknown. It depicts the American West through the lens of 19th-century expansion. Bingham, active during a time of significant westward movement, embodies the complex relationship between the idealization of the American landscape and the erasure of Indigenous presence. The vast, untouched wilderness, as depicted here, served as a powerful symbol of American exceptionalism and promise, but this view often overshadowed the violent displacement of Native populations that enabled westward expansion. Who is this lone figure in the landscape? Is it the artist, a surveyor, or a settler? The painting encourages us to consider the emotional and physical experiences of those who ventured into these territories. Bingham's work prompts us to reflect on the narratives we tell ourselves about history, identity, and belonging. It is a landscape fraught with the weight of untold stories and silenced voices.