"Thomas Cole's Journey" reexamines the influential American landscape artist Thomas Cole, highlighting his European roots and travels. It explores his major works, including "The Oxbow," as reflections of his experiences with British art and society, his love for American wilderness, and his critique of industrialization. The book also discusses Cole's impact on future artists.
American painters of the first half of the nineteenth century discovered the variety and splendor of the New World. They viewed the wilderness of their young nation as a new Garden of Eden whose motifs enabled them to develop an art beyond European traditions.
The Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest public art museum in the U.S., houses a significant collection of American art, showcased in a lavish two-volume set. Elizabeth Mankin Kornhauser chronicles the museum's rich history, detailing the contributions of both renowned and lesser-known artists, and provides in-depth entries on over 550 paintings, including notable works from the Hudson River School. The narrative explores the evolution of American cultural development through the lens of private collectors and significant donations, making this catalogue a vital resource for understanding American painting and art patronage.