William Cullen Bryant

This is a commemorative funeral oration delivered by William Cullen Bryant on the occasion of the death of Thomas Cole, a pivotal figure in American art history. Presented before the National Academy of Design in New York on May 4, 1848, Bryant's speech celebrates Cole's life, artistic achievements, and profound influence on the American art scene. Cole, best known as the founder of the Hudson River School, revolutionized landscape painting in the United States. Bryant eloquently captures Cole's dedication to nature and his ability to translate its beauty onto canvas. The oration provides valuable insights into the artistic and cultural context of 19th-century America, highlighting the importance of Cole's work in shaping a national artistic identity. This historical document offers a glimpse into the life and legacy of a celebrated artist, making it essential reading for art historians, students, and anyone interested in American art and culture. "A Funeral Oration, Occasioned by the Death of Thomas Cole" remains a testament to Cole's enduring impact and a tribute to the power of art. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.