Charge of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill 1898

Frederic Remington created this painting of the Charge of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill. It offers insight into the romanticized vision of American military expansion at the turn of the 20th century. Painted in the United States, likely around the time of the Spanish-American War, this image creates meaning through references to American heroism and military prowess. The artist's focus on the Rough Riders, a volunteer regiment led by Theodore Roosevelt, highlights the valor and bravery associated with American soldiers. The geographical context of San Juan Hill in Cuba underscores the nation's imperial ambitions in the Caribbean. The painting is not necessarily conservative or progressive. Rather, it reflects the jingoistic sentiments prevalent during that period. To truly understand it, we can research period newspapers, political cartoons, and military records, all of which shed light on the complex interplay between art, society, and institutional power.