I was THRILLED to read about Thomas Cole, and more specifically, about his western Massachusetts influence, as that is where I am from!
It's amazing what you realize you don't know about the area you grew up in (well, partially grew up in)... I've driven past the highway signs for the "Oxbow Marina" a million times, but never knew anything about it! (Ok, I still really don't know anything about it.) I've been to Mount Holyoke College once or twice, but really I could stand to spend some time being a tourist in the areas around my home town.
I also enjoyed Turner's "The Burning of the House of Lords and Commons." The colors seem spectacular, and it looks like it is giving way to Impressionism.
