The Empire of the Eye: Landscape Representation and American Cultural Politics 1825-1875

About this book

Miller examines the content of nineteenth century American Landscape painting for cultural meaning. Instead of merely reflecting the ideological concepts of the time the author holds that the paintings themselves formed the basis for much of Americas dialogue on issues such as nationalism during the last century. Miller argues the painting is an act and paintings as a result were the ground upon which central debates concerning progress and conservation region and nation masculine and feminine were formulated refined and presented to the public. In her study Miller discerned several patterns appearing in the works many having to do with the reinterpretation of nature its transformation and its eventual feminization. It is an investigation of the interplay between the domesticated landscape depicted on canvas and the Whig ideal of social order as well as the voices dissenting from the myth of nationalist hegemony in the landscape. The authors analysis of a number of paintings challenges the longstanding interpretations or provides strikingly fresh insights.