The Myth of the Vanishing Indian in 19th Century American Art and Policy

In 1961, Jean Zuber and Company's wallpaper depicting American landscapes, designed by Jean-Julien Deltil, was installed in the White House, showcasing scenes like Niagara Falls and Boston Harbor along with Indigenous figures as requested by Zuber. Nineteenth-century American art perpetuated the "Myth of the Vanishing Indian," justifying territorial expansion under Manifest Destiny. This era marked significant events like the Louisiana Purchase and the Indian Removal Act, leading to the Trail of Tears. Charles Bird King's portraits aimed to document Native delegates, while romanticized landscapes obscured the realities of forced removal. Despite historical narratives, Native American communities continue to thrive today, exemplified by Deb Haaland's appointment as the first Native American cabinet secretary in 2021.