The Return
1837 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This Romantic landscape features a medieval cathedral in a lush, idealized setting, showing a funerary procession arriving at the gates. It is currently part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art.
Did you know?
Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School, often used architectural ruins and medieval settings to reflect on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of human civilization. This work exemplifies his 'idealized landscapes' where nature and human history are interwoven to evoke a contemplative or melancholy mood.
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The Return
Thomas Cole, 1837
