Cole's
favorite compositional element is dramatically cast in early morning
light in one of his most famous paintings from the 1820s. "They
spring from some resemblance to human form," wrote Cole in verse
describing trees. "There is an expression of affection in the
intertwining branches -- of despondency in the draping willow."
Cole's (and other Hudson River artists') use of gnarled and twisted trees wasn't lost on Henry David Thoreau. In Walden,
he called them "blasted" trees. Before Thoreau began building his
cabin in woods, he gave careful consideration to location, making sure
that "each blasted tree could seen to the best advantage":
"The future inhabitants of this region, wherever they may place their
houses, may be sure that they have been anticipated. An
afternoon sufficed to lay out the land into orchard, wood-lot, and
pasture, and to decide what fine oak or pine should be left to stand
before the door, and whence each blasted tree could be seen to the best
advantage." -- Henry David Thoreau, Walden
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