View in the White Mountains 1827

Thomas Cole made this landscape, View in the White Mountains, with oil paint on canvas. These were traditional art materials, but don't let that fool you – this painting speaks to a profound shift in how Americans were engaging with the natural world. Notice how the artist has rendered the textures of the landscape, from the rough bark of the foreground tree, to the distant, almost velvety mountains. Consider the labor involved in producing such a work. Cole mixed his own paints, grinding pigments and blending them with oils to achieve the desired colors and consistency. The application of these paints, layer upon layer, built up a rich and detailed image. But it's not just about technique. This painting reflects a burgeoning tourist industry in the White Mountains. As cities grew and industrialization spread, Americans sought refuge in the wilderness, seeking spiritual renewal in untamed landscapes. This painting, then, isn't just a depiction of nature, but a commodity produced for a market hungry for images of the sublime. The act of painting itself becomes a form of consumption, transforming the wilderness into a desirable object. By considering the materials, processes, and social context of this painting, we can appreciate its full complexity, challenging the idea that fine art exists in a realm separate from the concerns of everyday life.