America was always destined for artistic and literary excellence during the late 18th century and early 19th century. But being next to a mountain does not make you a poet. For me, illustrated scenery would have been the way to reflect the nationalism of nature. William Bartlett and Thomas Cole...now there are soom good landscape artists. Very sublime. Hudson River School created and was first school of American art. I like the Rocky Mountain school time period better. Something about the Tetons and Moran's eye for detail.
