Sibertz Cap, Mount Tacoma Aug 23 1885 (from Sketchbook X) 1885

William Trost Richards made this graphite drawing of Sibertz Cap on Mount Tacoma, now known as Mount Rainier, on August 23, 1885. The image embodies the late 19th-century American fascination with landscape, fueled by the expansion of the railroads and a growing sense of national identity tied to the natural world. Richards, known for his detailed seascapes and landscapes, here captures the grandeur of the American West. Consider the cultural context of this work. The United States was in a period of rapid industrialization and westward expansion, often at the expense of indigenous populations. Artists like Richards contributed to the romanticized vision of the American landscape, one that often overlooked the social and political realities of the time. To fully appreciate this drawing, we can consult historical records, travel narratives, and studies of American art and environmental history. This allows us to understand how art reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.