Cole's "Course of Empire" series

Thomas Cole's "Course of Empire" series is a set of five paintings that depict the rise and fall of a civilization. It starts with the wilderness (The Savage State), then shows a developing city (The Arcadian or Pastoral State), followed by a thriving, opulent empire (Consummation of Empire). The series progresses to a moment of excess and moral decline (The Destruction), culminating in a chaotic ruin (The Destruction and Final Scene). The series illustrates how civilizations grow through natural beauty and innovation but often succumb to overreach and decay, serving as a cautionary reflection on societal progress and its potential consequences.