THE EARLY BIBLICAL LANDSCAPES OF THOMAS COLE (1825--1829)

[摘要] Between 1825 and 1848 Thomas Cole produced many imaginary views based on literary, allegorical and religious themes. Historical landscapes of traditional religious subjects represent a small but significant element in the artist;;s oeuvre. Cole;;s early Biblical landscapes (those painted before the artist traveled to Europe) are significant indicators of the transitional character of Cole;;s work as he attempted to Americanize traditional European precepts of art. In them, Cole reveals an alliance with European art theory, adapted to produce didactic landscape paintings intended as a testimony to the power and majesty of God with man;;s relationship to God as the central focus. Cole combined American scenery with historical subjects which would be familiar to all--those extracted from the Bible. Subject matter is an essential clue in understanding the artist;;s intent. His work was a response to the zeitgeist of nineteenth century America.

[发布机构] Rice University