Joshua J. answered • 03/16/21
I’m a student who excels in classes and wants to help others
Thomas Cole's Oxbown River is a painting in which is famous for its message about manifest destiny. Being created in 1836, the quest for expansion was rich in every American's mind. This painting was meant to foreshadow what Americans were thinking as it portrays wilderness being split by a raging thunderstorm. The calm peaceful side of the painting (left) is described as the land after Americans overtake them. Order seems to be intact and all seems to be peaceful. Bringing peace to the land helped motivate more Americans to move forward with westward expansion. The right side of the painting overlooked by a thunderstorm conveys nature to an extent of wilderness. This extent is how God seemed to leave nature. Nothing is touched and no order is being conveyed upon the land. It is true wilderness.
