Thomas Cole (1801 - 1848) England. Pencil on Paper. Measure 6 3/4"in H x 7 1/4"in W and 12 1/4"in H x 13 1/2"in W with frame. Known for: Landscape, history and allegory painting. Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was born in Lancaster England. He was trained as an engraver, applying his skills as a wood block cutter in the calico fabric industry. Academically, Cole did not have formal art training, so his inspiration for paintings came from poetry and literature of the day. For professional reasons Cole moved onto New York City in 1825. His work quickly came to the attention of collectors and critics. From talk with many of his colleagues Cole realized that he needed to travel to Europe to observe first hand the great masters. He returned to his native England and then moved onto Paris and Rome, where he formulated richly aesthetic themes and ideas. Truly a romantic spirit, Thomas Cole sought to express elevated ideas through his painting. Cole quickly absorbed the lofty ideas of European history painting, and he encouraged Asher B. Durand and Frederic Church, the two painters that would continue in his tradition. Cole died, unexpectedly, after a brief and minor illness. Undeniably, his legacy left a firm foundation for the Hudson River School to build upon.