Final answer:
True, as the Hudson River School did include representations of Native Americans; however, it is not accurate to assert that many of its paintings were directed at expressing regret for their plight as a central theme of the movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that many Hudson River paintings expressed a profound regard and regret for the plight of Native Americans in the face of westward expansion by the United States is true.
The Hudson River School, emerging in the 19th century, was known for its landscape art influenced by Romanticism. However, the artists of this movement, such as Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt, were not specifically known for emphasizing the plight of Native Americans in their work.
In contrast, artists like George Catlin documented Native American cultures, but his work often reflected a biased view that emphasized the supposed "savage" nature of these peoples, according to the perceptions of White audiences of the time.
Although there were cultural exchanges and representations of Native Americans in art related to the Hudson River School, it is essential not to overgeneralize these depictions as solely expressions of sympathy for Native American struggles.