The Course of Empire is a five-part series of paintings created by Thomas Cole in 1833-1836. It reflected popular American sentiments of the times when many saw pastoralism as the ideal phase of human civilization, fearing that empire would lead to gluttony and inevitable decay.
The Savage State ~ 1834
New York Historical Society
The Arcadian or Pastoral State ~ 1834
New York Historical Society
The Consummation of Empire ~ 1835-1836
New York Historical Society
Destruction ~ 1835-1836
New York Historical Society
Desolation ~ 1836
New York Historical Society