Thomas Cole's "Oxbow"

Today was a nice break from our normal routine.  Discussing art can be as beneficial as discussing readings, or sometimes more.  As part of the Hudson River School of Painting, Thomas Cole painted "Oxbow" to capture a natural scene and present a lot of dichotomies. 

On the left hand side there is the chaotic and ominous wilderness.  There are fallen and cracking trees and a storm.  It's hard to say if the storm is coming or passing, but the angles of the clouds and rain make it look like it's going to the left, and passing away. 

The right side shows some fields and the curving oxbow portion of the river.  The colors are brighter, more vivid and cheerful.  It seems that people are in balance with nature because the river is left alone and the land is used for farming.  Neither side is "right" or better in my view, though Cole may prefer the order and beauty of the cultivated land.  On the bottom of the painting he shows himself painting the right side.  This side definitely looks more warm and comforting, but the dark woods are mysterious and captivating.

As to what these two sides may represent, I'm not sure.  The dark could be industrialization or the unknowns of the untamed frontier.  The light may be progress, industrialization, community, or stability.  If God were to be in the painting, He would be the clouds.  I see God as really dynamic, awesome, and powerful.  He can be merciful or destructive, peaceful or turbulent.  Just like clouds, God can take many different forms and have different effects.