Cows Watering in a Landscape 

Albert Bierstadt created "Cows Watering in a Landscape" with oil on canvas, a process demanding considerable time and skill. Bierstadt was part of the Hudson River School, known for its romantic depictions of the American landscape. These paintings weren't just pretty pictures; they actively promoted the idea of westward expansion, a concept then known as "Manifest Destiny". The paintings enticed people to move west with promises of beautiful scenery, fertile lands, and economic opportunities. But it's important to remember that this expansion came at a cost: the displacement and suffering of Native American populations, and the exploitation of natural resources. While we appreciate the technical skill involved in creating this painting, we should also reflect on its wider social implications, and the complex relationship between art, nature, and capital.