Questions:
In what previous artworks and writings have we seen representations of native peoples in North America?
How have those works represented native peoples? What attitudes toward native peoples have those works expressed?
- A wave of patriotism after the 1812 war with England ushers in new drive for national decoration, particularly of the Capitol.
- The “myth of the frontier” originates, giving a new perspective of the landmass of the United States.
- As the United States begins to expand westward toward and past the Mississippi River, European-Americans come into further contact with native peoples --- the conflict for land escalates.
- European-American imagination often infatuated by “captivity narratives,” fantastical/tragic tales of Euro-Ams taken captive by tribespeople.