Here's why:
* Hudson River School: Cole was a founding member of the Hudson River School, a group of American landscape painters who emphasized the beauty and grandeur of the American wilderness.
* National Identity: Their works often depicted scenes of untouched nature, highlighting the vastness and potential of the young country. This resonated with a sense of national pride and the belief in the American Dream.
* Romanticism: Cole's paintings were heavily influenced by Romanticism, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the sublime. This helped create a sense of awe and wonder towards the American landscape.
While other artists like George Caleb Bingham and Winslow Homer also captured aspects of American life, Cole's focus on the untamed wilderness and its connection to the nation's identity made his work particularly significant in expressing the democratic spirit of a young nation.