"The Past", Thomas Cole 1838"I floated along under the spell of enchantment, as if I had been transported an heroic age, and breathed an atmosphere of chivalry.
Soon after, I went to see a panorama of the Mississippi, and as I worked my way up the river in the light of to-day and saw the steamboats wooding up, counted the rising cities, gazed on the fresh ruins of Nauvoo, beheld the Indians moving west across the stream, and, as before I had looked up the Moselle, now looked up the Ohio and the Missouri and heard the legends of Dubuque and of Wenona’s Cliff,- still thinking more of the future than of the past or present,- I saw that this was a Rhine stream of a different kind; that the foundations of castles were yet to be laid, and the famous bridges were yet to be thrown over the river; and I felt that this was the heroic age itself, though we know it not."
Henry David Thoreau
"The Present", Thomas Cole 1838
I love this quote from Thoreau, because it still holds true for today. It's easy to romanticize the past, but don't forget, we're still living in the past! Someday people may look back and sigh for the "good old days" back in the 2010's.
This quote also reminds me of these gorgeous paintings, The Past and Present by the American artist Thomas Cole. I'm very familiar with them, because I used to be a security guard at the museum where they are displayed (I know I know, can you imagine me as a security guard??). I spent many hours in front of them, studying each tiny detail. They depict a castle in Medieval times, and the same castle in ruins "today" (1838). I love the use of light especially, in the Past the light is from the sun in the middle of the day; in the Present the setting sun throws long shadows from the castle. Doesn't the "Present" look just as, if not more, romantic than the past?
Do you think we live in a romantic, heroic age? Or do you think those days are long past? Do you find romance and heroism in grand gestures and movements, or in seemingly mundane details?
I'm curious what you think!
4 comments:
I love those paintings, its been a long time since I've seen them! Anywho to answer your questions I have to say I don't think we live in a romantic heroic age. Rather people if a bit very few people, are carrying that in themselves now. Sometimes its in the details and sometimes its in a small gesture. Whether a sweet smile or piece of music.
I think we should strive to be -more- romantic, if that's even possible in this modern age. Less and less do I see courtesy or etiquette, even of the simplest nature. And I don't mean just men opening doors for ladies and such, but ladies towards gentlemen as well.
Oooh, what a great topic! I think its easy both to over romanticize the past, and under value the present. For instance, I would NOT call the days before the fall of Rome the "good old days" - and while today is not a particularly "gallant" time in terms of history, there are still many lovely things about the time we live. I like to think that whenever time we live, we can acknowledge the wrong and not delight in it - but also appreciate the beauty that IS there.
Have you ever read O Henry's short story "The Green Door"? It has to do with this idea that its all how you look at it and adventure and heroism is there if you're looking for it - and I LOOOOOVE that story. Its really short, too, so its a nice quick read. :)
10Yen, I agree, I think sometimes it's in the very small details!
Sara, so true. I think people tell themselves we don't live like that anymore so they don't even make an effort.
April, I haven't read that but it sounds right up my alley! And I love how you put it "I like to think that whenever time we live, we can acknowledge the wrong and not delight in it - but also appreciate the beauty that IS there." Yes!
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