The painting depicts the first landfall of Columbus and his men during an expedition from Europe to China, Japan and other potentially unknown lands.4 The landing of Christopher Columbus in what is now San Salvador is synonymous with the Americans' idea that Christopher Columbus discovered the New World we now call America. However, the painting shows the natives peering from behind the trees, which indicates that the land was already inhabited and that Columbus did not discover America but rather confiscated this new land from the natives already living there. The planting of the royal standard of Aragon and Castile signifies Columbus claiming the land for the Spanish people. The events that were occurring during the painting of Christopher Columbus' Landing include westward expansion and political conflicts. America's defeat of Mexico increased the size of the nation, and the issue of slavery was still prevalent in America. Columbus looks up as if to thank God for a safe voyage. The painting successfully depicts the events that may have occurred during the time Columbus landed in San Salvador. The dark clouds are, perhaps, symbolic of the conflict that prevailed so that Columbus could claim the new land. The planting of his flag symbolizes that Columbus was successful in his