Picturing America: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American Art

When the industrial revolution limited Thomas Cole’s family’s economic opportunities in England, his dream of coming to America was realized. Life was not easy for a young U.S. immigrant in the 19th century, however. In visual vignettes rendered in mixed-media art, Talbott depicts Cole traveling on foot, sleeping in derelict conditions, and finding salvation through moments spent painting. While taking a steamer trip up the Hudson River, Cole discovered his muse in the striking landscape. He would infuse his paintings of the American wilderness with majesty and romance—characteristics that helped lead to environmental protections in the Hudson Valley. Talbott integrates images from Cole’s oeuvre, including the four paintings from the Voyage of Life series. Ages 6–8. (Sept.)