Italian Coast Scene with Ruined Tower
- Why do you think Cole decided to depict a shepherd and his sheep in the painting? Cole wanted to show somebody who had reached peace with nature, but not with themselves.
- What do you believe the original purpose of the tower was? Most likely a lighthouse, or outpost.
- Why would Cole include sunrise instead of sunset? A sunrise is full of hope, and fresh starts for the youth, but demise for old. While sunsets represent an undescribed end.
- What possible role could the ship in the background play? What the shepherd truly wanted to become. He originally did not want to lead sheep, but set sail towards undiscovered areas.
- What could the darker shades of colors used mean towards romanticism? A depressing downfall, and the unstoppable force of time making life for all people, things, and objects an unwindable event which you can never come back from.