Under the Red Wall 

Thomas Moran created this landscape, *Under the Red Wall*, during a time of westward expansion in the United States. His dramatic, romanticized depictions of the American West played a significant role in shaping the perception of these landscapes. Moran's work invites us to consider the complex relationship between the beauty of the land and the history of its representation. It’s impossible to ignore that these landscapes were not empty; they were the homelands of indigenous peoples. Moran's paintings elided their presence, contributing to the erasure of Native American history and culture. The emotional impact of the painting lies in its ability to evoke awe and wonder. However, this feeling is complicated by the knowledge of the displacement and dispossession that accompanied the expansion. Ultimately, *Under the Red Wall* challenges us to reflect on the stories we tell about our past and whose voices are included, or excluded, in those narratives.