Summary
The Course of Empire is a series of painting showing the course of an area as it starts out as unchanged by man and slowly develops into a society and then slowly turns to chaos, then it gets destroyed by humans. Each paintings takes you through each stage of this series and Thomas Cole does an excellent job of using thing in the background to symbolize things.
The Course of Empire is a series of painting showing the course of an area as it starts out as unchanged by man and slowly develops into a society and then slowly turns to chaos, then it gets destroyed by humans. Each paintings takes you through each stage of this series and Thomas Cole does an excellent job of using thing in the background to symbolize things.
The Savage State
The first picture in the series called, The Savage State. This is the state of the area as it unchanged by humans and it is in its normal state. This is before people have moved into the area because the landscape of the area is unchanged by humans. Yes there are native americans in the picture but they are not building mass structures or changing the land a lot. The landscaping is very natural and it is just wild like nature should be. Also the dark skies can symbolize something drastic is going to happen to this area.
The first picture in the series called, The Savage State. This is the state of the area as it unchanged by humans and it is in its normal state. This is before people have moved into the area because the landscape of the area is unchanged by humans. Yes there are native americans in the picture but they are not building mass structures or changing the land a lot. The landscaping is very natural and it is just wild like nature should be. Also the dark skies can symbolize something drastic is going to happen to this area.
Pastoral State
The 2nd painting is the Pastoral State. This is the state where humans start to move in the area and start up a society. You can see a few structures popping up and notice how the landscaping is very organized and it really is not natural anymore or wild. The landscaping is very clean it looks like a lot has been removed and a lot of trees have been cut down which can symbolize people moving into the area.
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The Consumption of Empire
The third painting in the series called the consumption of empire. This is the stage where the society is developed and booming with tons of buildings and people everywhere. Notice you cannot see ANY nature, it is all gone. This symbolizes how when people move in the nature in that area dies. There a lot of bright colors in this painting such as gold and the sky is bright blue which could symbolize that times are good for the humans right now.
The third painting in the series called the consumption of empire. This is the stage where the society is developed and booming with tons of buildings and people everywhere. Notice you cannot see ANY nature, it is all gone. This symbolizes how when people move in the nature in that area dies. There a lot of bright colors in this painting such as gold and the sky is bright blue which could symbolize that times are good for the humans right now.
Destruction
The fourth picture in the series is called Destruction. The first thing I noticed was how dark the skies are which means bad things are happening. Also you notice people appear to be fighting which also suggests the bad times for the society. To me the people fighting appear to be enemies to the people of the society the painting is focused on. Also you can notice a fire over the big structure on the right side of the page. I think this showing that for sure the society is going down.
The fourth picture in the series is called Destruction. The first thing I noticed was how dark the skies are which means bad things are happening. Also you notice people appear to be fighting which also suggests the bad times for the society. To me the people fighting appear to be enemies to the people of the society the painting is focused on. Also you can notice a fire over the big structure on the right side of the page. I think this showing that for sure the society is going down.
Desolation
The final painting is called Desolation. One of things you can see right away is that there is no human activity, they are all gone. You can see the reminiscence of the society with a column standing and what looks like a broken bridge in the distance. Nature appears to be returning to its natural stage being wild and all. What I think that Thomas Cole is symbolizing is the future and what the world could look like if humans die out. He also could foreshadow how people might end up killing themselves off.
The final painting is called Desolation. One of things you can see right away is that there is no human activity, they are all gone. You can see the reminiscence of the society with a column standing and what looks like a broken bridge in the distance. Nature appears to be returning to its natural stage being wild and all. What I think that Thomas Cole is symbolizing is the future and what the world could look like if humans die out. He also could foreshadow how people might end up killing themselves off.
Conclusion
To me what the whole series is symbolizing is the rise and fall of ancient Rome. The architecture looks very similar to that of ancient Rome. Also Ancient Rome was attacked and that ultimately led to the fall of their society like the society in the paintings.
To me what the whole series is symbolizing is the rise and fall of ancient Rome. The architecture looks very similar to that of ancient Rome. Also Ancient Rome was attacked and that ultimately led to the fall of their society like the society in the paintings.
Romanticism
This series of paintings is related to romanticism mostly because of the true beauty of these paintings. Also during the time period of 1800-1850 the industrial revolution was taking place and one of the main characteristics of this series is human development and how it was bad for nature. I think these paintings were expressing Thomas Cole’s disliking to the industrial revolution. But mostly they are related to the beauty characteristic of romanticism because these paintings are just beautiful.
This series of paintings is related to romanticism mostly because of the true beauty of these paintings. Also during the time period of 1800-1850 the industrial revolution was taking place and one of the main characteristics of this series is human development and how it was bad for nature. I think these paintings were expressing Thomas Cole’s disliking to the industrial revolution. But mostly they are related to the beauty characteristic of romanticism because these paintings are just beautiful.
Study Questions
1.How is this series related to romanticism? The beauty of the paintings and nature
2.What characteristics of romanticism are shown? beauty, nature, industrial revolution problems
3.How does the empire end? Attacked by enemies
4.What is the final stage called? Desolation
5.What is the stage where the society is flourishing? The consumption of empire
1.How is this series related to romanticism? The beauty of the paintings and nature
2.What characteristics of romanticism are shown? beauty, nature, industrial revolution problems
3.How does the empire end? Attacked by enemies
4.What is the final stage called? Desolation
5.What is the stage where the society is flourishing? The consumption of empire
Cole, Thomas. The Course of Empire Series. 1833-1836. The New-York Historical Society, New-York.