Chocorua's Curse

Chocorua’s Curse

Artist

Thomas Cole (English-born American, 1801 – 1848)

Date

1826

Medium or Technique

Engraving on wove paper

Dimensions

2 3/4 x 4 inches

Collection

Syracuse University Art Galleries

Accession Number

SUAC 1989.034

Credit Line

Syracuse University Art Collection, gift of Dr. David Tatham

Description

Chocorua’s Curse (1826) by Thomas Cole is an engraving that depicts the tense moment right before an indigenous man (Chocorua) is killed by a white settler in a dramatic cycle of revenge. The scene takes place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The composition is characterized by the anticipation of violence and is testament to Cole’s deft handling of Chocorua’s tragic ending in a serene landscape.

Essay

“Rugged Landscapes: Revealing the Political in Thomas Cole’s Chocorua’s Curse” by Adilene Peña