The Great Blue Spring of the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone c. 1875

Thomas Moran created this watercolor painting of The Great Blue Spring of the Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone during an era of westward expansion in the United States. Moran’s work intersects with the romantic vision of the West, and he was influenced by the Hudson River School's dramatic landscape paintings. Yet it is vital to acknowledge the complex history of such depictions, which often served to promote the idea of manifest destiny while obscuring the displacement and marginalization of indigenous populations. In this context, the inclusion of figures on horseback prompts reflection upon whose perspectives were being centered. While beautiful, these landscapes, including Moran's, can be seen as actively participating in the erasure of Indigenous presence and the justification of colonial expansion. The emotional appeal of these images helped to shape public opinion, encouraging the exploitation of natural resources and furthering the narrative of American exceptionalism.