Thomas Cole

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was an English-born American painter who is best known for his lush and romantic landscapes of the American wilderness. Cole is considered the founder of the Hudson River School, a group of American landscape painters who were inspired by the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains. Cole's paintings often depicted the sublime power and beauty of nature, with sweeping vistas and dramatic compositions. He was also interested in the history and mythology of America, and many of his works featured historical or allegorical themes. Cole's work had a profound impact on the development of American landscape painting, and he is now regarded as one of the most important American artists of the 19th century. Some of his most famous works include "The Oxbow" and "The Course of Empire."