Review by Choice Review
Major Stephen H. Long's 1820 expedition up the Platte River to the Rocky Mountains and its return, seeking the origins of the Red River, has been frequently chronicled, its hardships portrayed, the role of civilian scientists and artists acknowledged, and its scientific accomplishments examined. Haltman (Univ. of Oklahoma) offers a meticulously researched, carefully written, handsomely illustrated, and perceptively argued study that examines in particular the unique contributions of Samuel Seymour and Titian Ramsay Peale in providing both a visual record and artistic impression of the topography, geology, flora, fauna, and Native peoples encountered. In preparing the landscapes of this newly encountered land, Seymour faced the challenge of portraying in a topographically accurate fashion that which he also found artistically picturesque. He produced the most significant representations of Native peoples encountered. Peale, serving as an assistant naturalist, met the needs of the expedition's scientists in recording discoveries made in the flora and fauna. Haltman carefully examines their paintings and drawings to understand the cultural, artistic, and intellectual context in which they were created and the artistic conventions and symbolism that they followed or abandoned. The detailed notes, comprehensive bibliography, and attractive, appropriate plates further add to the value of this work. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and above; general readers. P. D. Thomas Wichita State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
