‘City of New York’ from , in ‘Picturesque America’ by William Cullen Bryant, 1872 © RGS-IBG
To complement the National Gallery’s current exhibition Thomas Cole: Eden to Empire which runs until 7 October, the Society is holding a talk and display of artefacts related to the geographical life and times of Thomas Cole.
Drawing on a diverse range of 19th century maps, books, artworks, photographs and other archival material from our Collections, the event will illustrate the growing interest in the North American wilderness at the time, which was in itself inspired by self-taught, Bolton-born artist Thomas Cole. Arguably one of the greatest American landscape artists of his time, Cole’s work focused on the Hudson River, showcasing the region’s wild nature to American audiences.
American Sublime: the geographical life and times of Thomas Cole will chart the ways that contemporary public audiences, both in America and Great Britain, were made aware of the power of the American landscape, not only for pleasure but also economic and political motivation. The talk will also explore the influence Cole and his contemporaries had on the work of other artists, writers and photographers who were intent on capturing the American wilderness.
American Sublime: the geographical life and times of Thomas Cole is at the Society on 17 September. Book your place now.
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