TitleThe Voyage of Life--Childhood
Artist
James David Smillie
(American, 1833 - 1909)
Original artistAfter
Thomas Cole
(American, 1801 - 1848)
Date1855
MediumEngraving
DimensionsSheet size: 18 3/8 × 24 7/16 in.
Plate size: 15 3/8 × 22 1/2 in.
Mat size: 24 × 29 3/4 in.
Credit LineNational Academy of Design, New York, NY
Object number1981.942
Label TextThomas Cole's popular series, "The Voyage of Life" (1839-40), was made available and affordable by the publication of a set of engravings by James David Smillie. "Childhood," the first scene in Cole's series, shows an infant with his guardian angel emerging from a cavern, beginning the child's journey down the allegorical river of time. The storm swirling overhead represents the creative chaos from which life is born. Visually, the storm is associated with the cavern below, which the artist described as "emblematic of our earthly origin, and the mysterious past."
