The Course of Empire

Thursday, January 1st, 2015

As one year ends and another begins, we might turn our thoughts to The Course of Empire — The Savage State, The Arcadian or Pastoral State, The Consummation of Empire, Destruction,  and Desolation — as painted by Thomas Cole over the years 1833–36:

Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_The_Savage_State_1836

Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_The_Arcadian_or_Pastoral_State_1836

Cole_Thomas_The_Consummation_The_Course_of_the_Empire_1836

Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_Destruction_1836

Cole_Thomas_The_Course_of_Empire_Desolation_1836

Comments

  1. These are especially impressive in person – they’re huge.

  2. Mark Yuray says:

    Thanks for putting these up. Absolutely stunning.

  3. Isegoria says:

    So, did you see them at the New-York Historical Society then, Scipio?

  4. While I’ve visited NYHS, I could have sworn I’d seen them at his house in Catskill, NY — my hometown, incidentally. Frederic Church’s magnificently ornate house, Olana, is also a must-see for anyone passing through that area.

Leave a Reply