The artwork, titled “American Discovery Viewed by Native Americans,” was created by Thomas Hart Benton in 1922. This piece belongs to the Regionalism art movement and falls under the genre of history painting.
The artwork depicts the moment of American discovery from the perspective of Native Americans. In the foreground, Native Americans are rendered with a stylized approach, exhibiting Benton’s characteristic use of fluid, curvilinear forms. The figures are both dynamic and contemplative as they observe the distant sails of European ships approaching their land. The composition directs the viewer’s gaze from the expressive, animated figures in the foreground to the nautical elements in the background. The use of vibrant, earthy colors enhances the scene, evoking a sense of the profound impact of this historical encounter. Benton’s technique emphasizes the grandeur and the cultural significance of this pivotal moment in American history.
