The Voyage Of Life Thomas Cole Analysis

Thomas Cole’s The Voyage of Life was the piece of artwork I picked out from the Dixon here in Memphis. I have chosen this piece because it stood out to me more than any others that were on display. I thoroughly enjoyed going, even when I didn't think I would. This piece was painted by Mr. Thomas Cole in 1842 and was a part of a series that represented the four stages of human life: childhood, youth, manhood, and old age. I particularly like this painting because it is a part of a series that tells a story. The painting I am talking about is the first of his series, but after further research of the painting I have come to realize that not only is the young child growing older in each painting, but the seasons are changing as well. One thing that also
It gives one an idea that this guardian angel is there to protect the boy and gives him his first view of the beautiful world. I think Mr. Cole was trying to start this painting off by symbolizing the child coming out of a dark cave and into a beautiful bright world, much like when a child is born. The details of the painting are very precise and beautiful. Mr. Cole did a great job using balance, shape and light in this piece. If you look at the painting like your reading a book, the color goes from dark to bright and the way he uses his colors to portray this transition is beautiful. It seems that the main emphasis is on the boat. The boat is a beautiful golden color that is made up of angels reaching out to one another. At the front of the boat, an angel is holding a hourglass which I interpreted that that was a symbolism of the time we have on this earth and the young boys time had just begun. The boy is sitting inside the boat on a very pretty bed of flowers and is reaching for the sky with flowers in his hand as if he is playing, like most children would. The guardian angel is on the back standing over the boy with a bright halo of light above her