Dreaming big, Thomas Cole paints 4,500 years of architectural history in The Architect's Dream

[@haleycole9089]

Thomas is my great great great great grandfather. Love the video ❤

[@GabrielKnightz]

Thanks for doing that.

[@larikipe940]

I freaking LOVE this painting!

[@michaelhealy1590]

Your videos are so insightful, thank you.

[@Sasha0927]

I was on the market for inspiration and this hit the spot. On the one hand, what an incredible piece! It amazes me how knowledgeable and talented Cole must've been to create it. On the other hand, I respect Town's devotion to his vision. This man knew what he wanted and wouldn't settle - no matter how incredible it was. Two very strong and visionary minds in this one - I appreciated that.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

And it is such a wild vision, glad you liked it.

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history 🥰 The wildest. I didn't have anyone to speak of big dreams to me, so it does me good to hear about visionaries who believe for worlds beyond. You guys are my best source of that. ❤️

[@95GuitarMan13]

Fantastic, painting and video.

[@richardrandomk]

This is a wonderfully succinct review, I will share this with my HS art students. Many thanks for your work.

[@DanielWinne]

Fantastic little video! Very enjoyable to learn about that.

[@OxfordCommaEducation]

Thank you for highlighting the hidden gem that is the Toledo Museum of Art!

[@nguyenducspace]

Thanks Smarthistory

[@arslongavitabrebis]

The church is depicted with darker colors without human figures. The ancient temples are lightened, full of life and activity. The author present the contrast between the idealized antiquity and the dark gothic church. The effect of scale renders the monumental scale of antiquity and the small seize of Christianity. The painter shows then his criticism to religion, very well adapted to the revolutionary ideas from the illustration.

[@pierren___]

Excellent. However church are following the antique beauty too: they just got old

[@BlogofTheW3st]

What flashes do you mean?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

we had published an earlier version that must have been corrupted in the upload, causing flashes. This new upload has no such issue.

[@BlogofTheW3st]

@@smarthistory-art-history I see, I guess I'm immune :)

[@bobbyforce1957]

Nice

[@ludwigvanbachmaninoff1981]

If there are some Islamic buildings style on this painting, that's gonna be incredibly amazing.

[@Frisenette]

This is clearly in the vague realm of kitsch. It’s great kitsch though.

[@oltedders]

Proto Kitsch.

[@tausendwasser6701]

You have no idea what "Kitsch" aktually is. "Kitsch" is something new made to look like old classics. This is a classic painting, therefore it's not "Kitsch".

[@Frisenette]

@@tausendwasser6701 *you* have no idea what kitsch is. It’s as old as humankind possibly. It’s in the same family as camp.

[@tausendwasser6701]

@@Frisenette Still, this is not "kitsch". You will learn.

[@Frisenette]

@@tausendwasser6701 look I’m not going enter a protracted argument with someone who clearly is my mental superior. Just going to say kitsch and camp is something that aspires to be something it is not. Like a little kid playing adult. If the aspiration is high enough, pompousness and pretentiousness not being out of the way, but not overwhelming, and the effort good enough, it’s kitschy. This painting tries too hard. Is too on the nose. Imitates greater painters, without fully grokking them. Yet is sure if it’s own “taking it to the next level”/equality to those painters. Kitsch and camp is *appreciating* such efforts not despite such obvious traits, but because of it. And, this is important: Not in a sarcastic and superior state of mind, but in genuine appreciation of the humanity and sweetness of such stuff. Can such art be manufactured willingly? That’s a difficult question, that has a multitude of answers. But in the end you have to say yes it can. But it’s very hard to do with earnestness. And it becomes something distinctly “else”. Batman 66 is a good example from popculture. Mannerism the architectural style from the 16th century and 17th century is another good example. An almost parody of classical architecture and style. Something that inspired postmodern architecture in the sixties.

Imagine pyramids the size of Everest. Other worldly.