This sketch was a study for an ambitious five-part work, The Cross and the World, left unfinished when Cole died in 1848. In the series, his goal was to follow the paths of two people on opposing journeys. The "pilgrim of the cross"� searches for spiritual truth and eternal salvation; the "pilgrim of the world"� seeks pleasures in the material world. Starting with a central canvas showing both pilgrims setting out on their respective paths in life, Cole followed the fate of each on two separate canvases flanking the central scene. The use of light (for the virtuous) and dark (for the worldly pilgrim) reflects their differing fates at life's end. In this study, we see the pilgrim of the world entering a verdant, light-filled landscape where all life's temptations are laid before him—pleasures of the flesh, the lure of easy money, the seductions of power and fame. Although nearly hidden, the cross in the upper left corner symbolizes the path not taken by the worldly pilgrim. In the series' final painting, the pilgrim of the world comes to a barren landscape of ruined temples and moldering gardens, while death hovers above, ready to claim him forever.
- Title: Study for The Cross and the World—The Pilgrim of the World on his Journey
- Creator: Thomas Cole (1801-1848)
- Date Created: 1846/1847
- Physical Dimensions: 12 H x 18 W
- Rights: Albany Institute of History & Art Purchase
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Provenance: Possession of the artist; shown at the Memorial Exhibition of the Late Thomas Cole (1848); purchased by Cole's sister, Sarah Cole, in 1848; Receipt from Erastus Dow Palmer to AGFA for transport of Coles's paintings from The Cross and the World series from Catskill, NY, to Albany, dated 1/25/1850; in the possession of Mrs. Samuel P. Avery; in the possession of J. N. Bartfield in 1943; purchased by Albany Institute of History & Art in 1943
- Painter: Thomas Cole (1801-1848)
- Inscription: Signed, lower left: T Cole
DecorArts is a professional wall art company located in California.
Each of our prints is proudly designed and constructed in the USA, right in our workshop. We are dedicated to delivering the finest quality, craftsmanship, and customer service with each and every order. With giclée printing technology, we are able to provide the best possible quality for the reproduction of fine art masterpieces as well as your personal photos. Our prints capture the subtlest of colors and contrasts, while retaining superb image sharpness.
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Giclée Quality Guarantee:
Giclée printing is meant to produce a product at a higher quality and longer lifespan than a standard desktop inkjet printer. The word was used to describe digital reproductions of conventional artworks (painting or drawing) or photographs.
There are at least three basic criteria which must be met in order for the print to be considered a true giclée...
- For giclée printing, the paper or substrate used to actually print the final piece must be acid free and consist of a 100% cotton base.
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- The last step to creating or confirming a true giclée print is the type of ink and printer used. The biggest contrast between a standard inkjet print and a giclée print is that giclées are printed using pigment-based inks rather than the dye-based inks found in lower cost inkjets. Pigment-based inks have a longer life span that can last anywhere from 100 to 200 years without significant fading.
The Quality :
The quality of the giclée print rivals traditional silver halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries.
With Giclée printing technology, we are able to provide the best possible quality for the reproduction of fine art masterpieces as well as your personal photos. Our prints capture the subtlest of colors and contrasts, while retaining superb image sharpness.
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All of our canvas prints are gallery wrapped. Your image will be visible in full on the front side of the canvas while the outer edges are either artistically extended or mirrored to wrap over the wood stretcher bars on all sides. Our canvases are hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars.
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