The Course of Empire: The Arcadian (Pastoral) State 1836

Thomas Cole painted "The Arcadian or Pastoral State," part of his "Course of Empire" series, in the 1830s. Cole, as a white male artist, occupied a privileged position in society. This series reflects the cultural anxieties of 19th-century America, a burgeoning nation grappling with its identity and future. "The Arcadian State" presents an idealized vision of pre-industrial society. Figures are harmoniously integrated with nature and classical architecture. Yet, this imagined harmony masks the realities of the period, especially in relation to race and class. The series was painted against the backdrop of westward expansion and the Trail of Tears. While Cole romanticizes a pastoral existence, he does so at a time when the forced displacement and suffering of Native American tribes were ongoing. This idyllic vision, therefore, becomes problematic when viewed through the lens of historical injustice. Cole's work invites us to consider the stories that are told and, crucially, those that are left out of the narratives of progress.