Visual Analysis Of Thomas Cole's The Oxbow

The artist, Thomas Cole, was an American painter born in England during the 19th century. Cole became famous for his paintings of landscapes, including The Oxbow. The 130.8 by 193 centimeter painting was done in 1836 using oil paints on canvas. Painted originally in the United States, the symbolic piece now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art located in New York City. The painting by Cole obviously depicts a landscape, especially one of the iconic bend in the Hudson river, but in fact there is much more to the piece. It is filled with distinct uses of line, space, shape, color, and value. The variation between the right and left sides of the painting are what most stands out, and symbolically show the contrast of the sublime to pastoral. In The Oxbow, line, shape, and color all aid in the symbolic contrast of the iconic painting.

The most dominant lines in the piece are that of curves and diagonals, allowing for a sharp sense of rhythm and movement throughout the painting. The most vivid line would be the curve in the river. The curve in the river shows grace and peace within the movement. In contrast, the diagonal lines of the trees and clouds directly across the painting, show rigid and harsh movement and energy. Another distinct line is the diagonal splitting the two sides. This diagonal again displays movement, drama, and motion but by cutting the piece into two differing sides and emotions, the left of untamed nature and the right of man-made