Mount Tacoma Aug 23 1885 (from Sketchbook X) 1885

Curator: The artwork before us is titled "Mount Tacoma Aug 23 1885" and comes from Sketchbook X by William Trost Richards. It is a graphite and pencil drawing, and a striking example of the Hudson River School's fascination with the American landscape. Editor: It feels stark, almost desolate. The heavy use of graphite gives the mountain range a formidable presence. It's beautiful, yes, but also slightly…unforgiving, don’t you think? Curator: That reflects a common interpretation of the sublime that was prominent during this time period. Artists such as Richards often sought to convey not only the beauty but also the awe-inspiring, and sometimes terrifying, power of nature. Consider the social and cultural anxieties of the late 19th century: rapid industrialization, westward expansion and the romanticization of untamed wilderness. This piece gives that context a tangible shape. Editor: It also feels relevant today. Thinking about environmental precarity, this sketch can serve as a stark reminder of what's at stake if we continue to overlook the effects of the climate crisis on nature and land. Do you see echoes of anxiety in this pursuit of beauty? I wonder how those feelings shaped perceptions of the indigenous populations’ relationship to land. Curator: That is an astute observation. This drawing encapsulates not only aesthetic ideals, but it mirrors anxieties tied to displacement and a changing landscape, revealing a more nuanced picture when considered alongside the histories and experiences of native communities. Editor: It encourages a dialogue between art history and contemporary theory, for sure. I appreciate how Richards documented this majestic scene; at the same time, I can't ignore the larger implications linked to land ownership and erasure. Curator: I find that interplay, between objective representation and underlying cultural currents, so compelling in the work of Richards and his contemporaries. These landscape works functioned within a complex web of national identity formation and shifting land politics. Editor: Absolutely. What initially seems like a straightforward landscape study reveals layers of complex, and even contradictory, ideologies. Thanks for walking me through this; I’m finding a renewed appreciation for this artist. Curator: The pleasure was all mine. Examining this drawing alongside questions of environmental justice and historical narrative deepens our understanding of its lasting impact.