Young Elms 

David Johnson painted "Young Elms" during a time when America was rapidly industrializing, but many artists were turning towards serene landscapes, seeking an idyllic vision of rural life. Here, Johnson captures a peaceful scene with young elm trees standing tall against a gentle sky. At the bottom left, notice the figure of a woman resting beneath a tree. This detail speaks to the way gender roles were often idealized in these landscapes, portraying women as figures of domesticity and harmony with nature. It is hard not to see an underlying longing for a simpler, less chaotic existence, a desire to return to nature. Although "Young Elms" celebrates the beauty of the American landscape, we should consider whose land this really is. These landscapes often erased Indigenous presence, contributing to the myth of an empty, available land for settlers. Despite this history, Johnson’s tranquil image invites us to reflect on our own relationship with nature, and perhaps to consider whose stories are missing from this view.