Chinese Man Tending Cattle 

Thomas Hill painted ‘Chinese Man Tending Cattle,’ a landscape which invites us to consider the role of Chinese immigrants in 19th-century America. Hill, known for his romantic depictions of the American West, offers a scene that subtly engages with themes of labor and belonging. The painting portrays a solitary figure identified as a "Chinese man," resting beside cattle in a lush, wooded area. During this period, Chinese immigrants often faced discrimination and were relegated to marginalized labor roles. The depiction of the figure may reflect both the romanticism of the era and the complex racial dynamics of California. What does it mean to include this figure in such a landscape? Does it signal inclusion or does it highlight alienation?