Thomas Cole

This engraving by James Smillie measures 15 x 22 3/4 inches. Created after four paintings by Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole, this early lettered proof impression, published in Boston by L.A. Elliot, reads, "From the original Painting by Thomas Cole, in the possession of Rev.d Gorham D. Abbott, Spingler Institute, New York", under the title on the lower margin. Also included on the lower margin is a poem by J.H. Daniels. In 1842 Thomas Cole did a series of paintings that represented an allegory for the four stages of life; childhood, youth, manhood, and old age. Each phase accompanied by a guardian angel. In "Old Age" the voyager is looking across the river of life towards an angel filled sky, ready to enter the kingdom of heaven. Cole's paintings were converted to engravings after his death and widely distributed during "The Third Awakening", a period of religious activism from the late 1850's to the early 1900's.

This is a period hand colored engraving by James Smillie after the painting by Thomas Cole, from his 4 part Voyage of Life series.  This image was created and printed in 1855 from the edition printed by H. Peters.  The image measures 15 1/8X22 3/4 inches.   It is housed in the original Gilt frame.  "Printed, lower left below image: PAINTED BY THOMAS COLE; printed, lower right below image: ENGRAVED BY JAMES SMILLIE; printed, lower center: THE VOYAGE OF LIFE _ Childhood / From the original Painting by Thomas Cole, in the possession of Rev.d [superscript] Gorham D. Abbott, Spingler Institute, New York; printed, lower center: “Entered according to Act of Congress U.S.A. __ by James Smillie in the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York”; printed, lower left"  "“Beware what earth calls happiness: Beware / All joys but joys that never can expire. / Who builds on less than an immortal base / Condemns his joys to death.”; printed, lower right: “The garden palace of my God / Towering above the clouds I see; / Beyond the cherubs bright abode, / Higher than angels thoughts can be.”  Very nice original condition.