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- The Course of EmpireThis series of five paintings depicts the growth and fall of an imaginary city. The first painting shows the unspoiled nature of the prehistoric man: a mountain crag, a forest, a bay, within a given landscape.
- The Savage State (1834) by Thomas Cole
The second painting provides a representation of a simple, Arcadian ideal state in human history. More and more traits of human culture emerging: agriculture, commerce, arts, science. Progress have been made on all fronts.
- The Arcadian or Pastoral State (1834) by Thomas Cole
- The Arcadian or Pastoral State (1834) by Thomas Cole
The third of painting depicts a triumphal procession in the town at the bay, where the victor in a war is hailed with garlands and cheers of his people. Decadence foreshadows the inevitable fall of this mighty civilization.
- The Consummation of Empire (1836) by Thomas Cole
- The Consummation of Empire (1836) by Thomas Cole
The fourth painting expresses despair, fierce battles rage at the damaged bridge, people and horses are thrown into the water, and the ships in the harbor goes sink. Barbarians are about to pillage the city, only bloodshed and destruction.
- Destruction (1836) by Thomas Cole
- Destruction (1836) by Thomas Cole
The fifth painting depicts the downfall of human civilization, a single pillar stands preserved in the foreground. Cole quoted lines from Canto IV for his series: “First freedom and then Glory - when that fails, Wealth, vice, corruption...”
- Desolation (1836) by Thomas Cole
- Desolation (1836) by Thomas Cole
