The Course of Empire – The Savage State Thomas Cole (1801-1848)

Here we observe a landscape composition dominated by a sense of untamed wilderness and nascent civilization. The foreground is densely populated with vegetation – thick trees, tangled undergrowth, and lush foliage – suggesting a primordial environment largely untouched by human intervention. A group of figures, seemingly indigenous to this land, are depicted in the lower center; their postures and attire imply a simple, hunter-gatherer existence. They appear small within the vastness of the scene, emphasizing humanity’s relative insignificance against the backdrop of natures power.
The middle ground reveals a body of water – a lake or wide river – extending towards distant mountains. These peaks are rendered with a dramatic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to an atmosphere of grandeur and mystery. The sky is filled with turbulent clouds, hinting at unpredictable weather patterns and the inherent volatility of the natural world.
The artist’s use of color reinforces this impression of raw, uncultivated beauty. Earth tones – browns, greens, and ochres – predominate, punctuated by flashes of pink and purple in the sky. The brushwork is loose and expressive, conveying a sense of immediacy and spontaneity.
Subtly embedded within this depiction are implications about societal development. The presence of these figures suggests an initial stage of human settlement, before the imposition of complex social structures or advanced technologies. The landscape itself seems to hold a promise – a potential for cultivation and transformation – but also carries a warning: the power of nature remains formidable and potentially destructive. It is not merely a backdrop but an active force shaping the destiny of those who inhabit it. The composition, therefore, functions as a visual allegory about the early stages of civilizations relationship with its environment, hinting at both opportunity and peril.