John Frederick Kensett painted this landscape of Bergen Park, Colorado, using oil on canvas, but we don't know exactly when. This image belongs to a well-established tradition of landscape painting that became popular in the United States during the 19th century. These works captured the expansive vistas of the American frontier but were also entwined with ideas about national identity, westward expansion, and the relationship between humans and nature. As railroad lines opened up access to the West, artists followed, often finding patronage from the railroad companies themselves. Here, the soft light and tranquil composition evoke a sense of harmony and sublime beauty, but it's worth remembering that these images also served to promote a particular vision of the American West that justified settlement and resource extraction, often at the expense of indigenous populations and the environment. To learn more, consult historical societies, archives, and libraries specializing in the history of the American West.