Explore Thomas Cole

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• 1. Elevation of State House, Columbus, Ohio
• 2. Front Elevation Drawing for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Catskill, New York
• 3. Two Front Elevations

Thomas Cole, Two Front Elevations for New Studio at Cedar Grove, graphite pencil on off-white wove paper, c. 1846, 10 5/8 x 14 7/8 in. Detroit Institute of Arts. Founders Society Purchase, William H. Murphy Fund, 39.515.A. View in Virtual Gallery

Throughout his time at Cedar Grove, Cole lived in the same house as his in-laws. He planned to build a home for himself, his wife Maria, and his children on the Cedar Grove property, as well as a new studio, drawing up plans for both in an Italianate style. Cole preferred this Italian-inspired architecture over the popular English cottage style, writing in his "Letter to the Publick on the Subject of Architecture" that "large piazzas [verandahs], deep recesses, projecting roofs, and great breadth of Style is demanded by the American landscape & climate.". ¹  Financial troubles prevented Cole from building the house, although in 1846, he did complete a new studio on the grounds—now, unfortunately, no longer standing. ² 

• Front Elevation of Proposed Villa at Catskill
• Jasper F. Cropsey, Thomas Cole’s Studio, Catskill, New York (The Second Studio)