Artists

Thomas Cole

Thomas Cole

(1801 - 1848)
Born: Bolton-le-Moors, England
Style: Romanticism
Famous Works:
  • Destruction (from The Course of Empire) (1836)
  • The Notch of the White Mountains (Crawford Notch) (1839)
  • River in the Catskills (1843)
Thomas Cole's artwork represents the height of American art in the nineteenth-century. Founder of the Hudson River School, Cole is heralded for his romantic landscapes of upstate New York. Cole's family emigrated from England to the United States, specifically Steubenville, Ohio, in 1818. It was here that Cole learned the craft of portraiture from a traveling artist, though his interest would quickly shift to landscape painting. A visit to the Hudson Valley marked a turning point in Cole's career, fueling a series of paintings, two of which would end up on loan to the American Academy of Fine Arts in 1826. It was here that Cole's work was noticed by artist John Trumbull, who introduced Cole to several future patrons. The beauty of the Hudson Valley stunned Cole, who reacted to the vast majesty of the rolling hills, wide skies, and flat valleys. Cole started a new means of depicting landscape in which he transformed the English formulas of landscape painting into a method more appropriate to his new homeland. In Cole's work beams of sun radiate down from parting clouds, as if signaling the beatification of God for the land and its people. This benign view of human existence also had a social bent. Cole was concerned with the rapid growth of the country, and the destruction of the frontier. No where is this concern more evident than in the artist's The Course of Empire series, which depicts the stages of human settlement and the resulting effects on the natural world. Cole's vision included the often accompanying poetry he wrote for his paintings. The work of the Hudson River School was popular from 1825 to 1876, the Centennial celebration.
Feeling inspired? Try out these fine products…

From $4.39

Artist White Taklon Brushes

by Maestra

Brushes in convient sets.

Up to 26% Off

Creation Acrylic Set

by Talens

Everything you need to start painting

Up to 48% Off

Deluxe Easel

by Studio Designs

Indestructible quality

Up to 40% Off

Base Coat Value Pack

by Bob Ross

Keep your canvas wet

From $23.99

The Stencil Graffiti Manual

by Schiffer

Information & inspiration for beginning stencil street art.

At Least 29% Off

Museum Aquarelle Colored Pencils

by Caran d'Ache

Meets the drawing and watercolor painting needs of artists.
Latest Product Reviews
I have been painting on glass for 30 years. I found that some of the Vitrea 160 liners are dried up when I get them. Totally useless.When they do work, they work very well. As for the Vitrea 160 paints, I use them as accents. They streak when trying to use a brush so I use a small sponge brush and use the dabbing motion. Or I use my index finger. The colors are very nice.
- Jan C. in Florida
The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable, patient, and extremely helpful. Thank you so very much for your help.
- Marilyn J Virella in Methuen, MA 01844
I previously stored the ink pads in one of my drawers upside down, but really needed the room so I had to find another solution. I've seen this many times before but never gave it much thought. I ordered five of them as my Distress inks collection is not huge (yet ;) and I was really, really happy to be able to see what I have AND have them neatly stored. As much as I love them, they are a bit bulky and will take up a bit of real estate. They stack very nicely, one on top of the other. I think this is smart storage.
- JenG in Michigan
Free Download for Kids

Download free coloring book pages Download FREE coloring
book pages to color at
home or school.

View Pages »