A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains (Crawford Notch), 1839

Crawford Notch in New Hampshire has long captivated artists and photographers alike. An 1839 painting by Thomas Cole titled “A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains (Crawford Notch)” contrasts vividly with a 2018 photo of the same scene.

Thomas Cole, a Romantic landscape painter, emigrated from England at the age of 17. He became a pivotal figure in American art, inspiring a generation of landscape painters known as the Hudson River School. Cole settled in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where he dedicated himself to “representing the majesty of the American wilderness, symbolic of the country’s pioneering history.” His depiction of Crawford Notch is a testament to this vision, capturing the grandeur and sublime beauty of the American landscape.

In comparing Cole’s 1839 painting to a contemporary photograph from 2018, one can appreciate the enduring allure of Crawford Notch. Both images showcase the dramatic scenery of the White Mountains, but each reflects its era’s distinct artistic sensibilities. Cole’s work remains a powerful reminder of the natural splendor that has inspired generations.