The Course of Empire

"The Course of Empire" is a series of five paintings by Thomas Cole, created in the 1830s. They depict the rise and fall of civilizations, illustrating an idealized landscape transitioning from a wild, untouched nature to a flourishing city, and ultimately to ruin. Each painting represents a different stage: 1) The Savage State, 2) The Arcadian or Pastoral State, 3) The Consummation of Empire, 4) The Destruction, and 5) Desolation. This series serves as a meditation on the cyclical nature of human progress, highlighting the beauty, ambition, and inevitable decline of societies throughout history.