Visit to Their Old Hunting Grounds (from Hosack Album) 1838 - 1848

Curator: Take a look at "Visit to Their Old Hunting Grounds," a drawing made sometime between 1838 and 1848. Editor: The sepia tones lend a melancholic feel. Notice how the figures, possibly Native Americans, are rendered with great sensitivity, while the background city fades almost into a ghostly presence. Curator: It is believed to be the work of John Ludlow Morton, and what we see here provides an intimate glimpse into a critical juncture in American history, observing Indigenous Americans contemplating what was, what is, and what is to come. Editor: Intimate indeed! Note the arrangement of the figures, almost like a classical frieze. They are static, observant, yet the eye is drawn to the stark contrast between them and the burgeoning cityscape in the distance. Curator: Absolutely, it’s about spatial and cultural relationships. Consider the symbolism embedded in the juxtaposition. The ancestral land is rich in heritage, the encroaching city a monument to progress and the often brutal disruption it enacts on native people. It is likely they’re watching the rapid industrialization. Editor: Agreed, and while the subject matter suggests Romanticism, the precise details – see the clothing folds, the textures of the hair – leans towards realism. It’s an intriguing blend. I'm fascinated by how much detail he renders, for example, within that city's hazy smokestacks! Curator: It serves as a poignant reminder of displaced peoples watching industrial growth consume lands. The artist encourages the viewer to meditate on the past and present realities within our collective narrative. The scene hints at the broader societal shifts underway during the 19th century. Editor: Beautifully put. The artwork seems simple at first glance, but then you appreciate the thoughtful juxtaposition, skillfully achieved with limited shades. It quietly communicates a sense of irreversible change, of watching a way of life fade away. Curator: Yes, indeed. Morton encourages us to reflect on themes of progress, loss, and the enduring strength of Indigenous identity during this volatile period of America's expansion. Editor: A potent visual elegy, even today.