Desolation

The Course of Empire: Desolation Thomas Cole. Oil on canvas, 1836, 39 ½ x 63 ½ in. Collection of The New-York Historical Society, 1858.5. About Decode Compare Cole's Process Cole's Words Locate About The fifth must be a sunset,—the mountains riven—the city a...

Destruction

The Course of Empire: Destruction Thomas Cole. Oil on canvas, 1836, 39 ½ x 63 ½ in. Collection of The New-York Historical Society, 1858.4. About Decode Compare Cole's Process Cole's Words Locate About The fourth should be a tempest,—a battle, and the burning...

The Consummation of Empire

The Course of Empire: The Consummation of Empire Thomas Cole. Oil on canvas, 1836, 51 x 76 in. Collection of The New-York Historical Society, 1858.3. About Decode Compare Cole's Process Cole's Words Locate About "The third picture must be a noonday—a great...

The Arcadian or Pastoral State

The Course of Empire: The Arcadian or Pastoral State Thomas Cole. Oil on canvas, 1834, 39 ½ x 63 ½ in. Collection of The New-York Historical Society, 1858.2. About Decode Compare Cole's Process Cole's Words Locate About The second picture must be the...

The Savage State

The Course of Empire: The Savage State Thomas Cole. Oil on canvas, 1834, 39 ½ x 63 ½ in. Collection of The New-York Historical Society, 1858.1. About Decode Compare Cole's Process Cole's Words Locate About "The first picture, representing the savage state,...