The Voyage of Life: Youth by Thomas Cole https://www.nga.gov/artworks/52451-voyage-life-youth
Cole’s renowned four-part series traces the journey of an archetypal hero along the „River of Life.“ Confidently assuming control of his destiny and oblivious to the dangers that await him, the voyager boldly strives to reach an aerial castle, emblematic of the daydreams of „Youth“ and its aspirations for glory and fame. As the traveler approaches his goal, the ever-more-turbulent stream deviates from its course and relentlessly carries him toward the next picture in the series, where nature’s fury, evil demons, and self-doubt will threaten his very existence.
Recenter Visual Description A young man sets out in a golden boat on a river that winds