New England Scenery 1839

Curator: Standing before us is Thomas Cole's "New England Scenery," crafted in 1839 using oil paint. It captures a panoramic landscape bathed in the soft glow of either sunrise or sunset. What strikes you first about this work? Editor: The luminosity, definitely. There's a distinct quality of light, especially where it hits the mountains in the distance, that's so prevalent here; a really clear and striking contrast in illumination. Curator: Precisely. Cole, as a central figure of the Hudson River School, was deeply invested in portraying the American landscape as both a physical reality and an idealized vision. It's worth asking how the materials used—the oil paint itself, the canvas—contributed to this very specific way of seeing the landscape. Were these idyllic views really accessible for every layer of society? Editor: Materiality really directs attention. Look at the foreground; it's dark and brooding, rendered with thick impasto that gives it real texture. In contrast, the background melts away with thin washes. Cole really masters techniques that are conducive to his themes and concerns. Curator: His technique directly translates to how nature’s resources were viewed in relationship with new capital. Note that in the background, he introduces a human presence; it almost resembles a religious experience within a settlement. Editor: Indeed, a rather pointed juxtaposition to the wilder spaces nearby, it makes use of symbolism. The light bathes the scene from behind that building in the distance. Almost a literal interpretation of "divine light." Curator: It reflects how the industrial project of building a settlement changes one’s views on land itself. Land transformed to commodity, ready for capitalist means. One could explore whether he fully critiques the production relations around the settlement shown. Editor: I see it too! I think in this one image Cole managed to really emphasize his artistic project! Curator: Yes, how the structures in the area contribute and create such an amazing image that we can talk about! Editor: It does highlight that the natural world and man made structure contribute so uniquely together. Curator: Exactly, a reflection on both nature's grandeur and humanity’s presence. Editor: That definitely shows a deep connection between those two, which brings another important insight.