Landing at Sabbath Day Point 

John Frederick Kensett made this painting of "Landing at Sabbath Day Point" with oil on canvas. It encapsulates the Romantic era's fascination with the American landscape, but also points to the institutionalization of that landscape through tourism. Consider how the artist positions us. The foreground rock invites us into the scene, yet the hazy distance reminds us of nature's sublime power. But, let's consider the pier. It represents humanity's intrusion and organization of nature. Paintings like these, made in the 19th century, encouraged travel to these sites. The very act of painting it helped fuel the growth of tourism to Sabbath Day Point. We can better understand paintings such as these by researching period travel guides and tourist accounts. These can help us understand the social conditions that shaped both their production and reception, as well as their function in shaping America's cultural identity.