How does The Storming of Teocalli by Cortez and His Troops elucidate its Background?
The painting is based on William H. Prescott's description of events in his 1843 book, History of the Conquest of Mexico. It was painted in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1848 and first exhibited in New York City in 1849, at a time when some believed it to be a commentary on the recent Mexican American War.  In 1991 the painting was exhibited at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. in The West as America Art Exhibition and brewed up new discussion as to whose side it takes in the conflict.
Today the work is displayed as part of the permanent collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut.
William H. Prescott The West as America Art Exhibition Smithsonian American Art Museum Wadsworth Atheneum Hartford Hartford, Connecticut The West as America Mexican American War Düsseldorf Connecticut