0018. The Oxbow

CornTown on Feb. 8, 2010

By Thomas Cole (1801-1848)
Circa. 1836
Hudson River School

The Oxbow is a metaphoric painting for Manifest destiny. During the early 1800's, most Americans believed that the United States was chosen by god to take control of all North America. In this painting, we see light over the areas of American settlements while the dark wilderness of the forest is being pushed away.