Schroon Lake 1840

Thomas Cole painted this canvas, entitled Schroon Lake, with oil paints at an unknown date. The scene is infused with the sensibility of a European Romantic tradition, with a focus on the dramatic effect of light on nature. However, the scene also reflects a distinctively American concern with the wilderness as a symbol of national identity. Cole, born in England, founded the Hudson River School, an artistic movement that represented the unique qualities of the American landscape. These artists embraced the idea of ‘manifest destiny,’ using landscape painting to promote westward expansion. The way that Cole positions the viewer in this painting is important. We’re invited to imagine ourselves looking out over an unspoiled vista, full of promise and potential. Note how the deer in the foreground is framed by the wilderness on all sides. The social and institutional history of landscape painting can reveal much about the politics of imagery. Art historians draw on diverse sources, including travel writing, political pamphlets, and exhibition reviews, to understand the complex meaning of art.