American Painting

This painting is entitled The Oxbow, it takes place neat the Connecticut River near Northampton. This painting is split in two the left and right. The left seems to be dark mysterious and unexplored while the right seems peaceful safe and simple. This painting took place in 1836 it was around the time Lewis and Clark left for their expedition. What I think this painting symbolizes is the explored and unexplored side of the Connecticut river. The darkness looks like it is being pushed to the left side, or away from the bright or right side. I think the painter made it like this because it symbolizes It being discovered by Lewis and Clark.

Thomas Cole was born in Feb, 1 1801 and died Feb 11, 1848. He had a very short life. He was an English born American. He is regarded as the founder of the Hudson River School, which is an American art movement that took place in the mid-19th century. He is best known for his landscape and romantic paintings, His mos famous paintings where The Oxbow and The Titan's Goblet

This painting has some geometric features. The first one and more noticeable is the horizon. It is almost a straight line and it divides the sky from the ground. The second also noticeable geometry is the darkness creeping into the light. It divides the dark and unexplored side with the happy and explored side. This painting is called The Oxbow because of the shape the river has. Also if you look carefully you can actually see the painter.