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The Course of Empire is a five-part series of paintings created by Thomas Cole in the years 1833–36. This painting "Destruction", is the fourth in the set. "It is notable in part for reflecting popular American sentiments of the times, when many saw pastoralism as the ideal phase of human civilization, fearing that empire would lead to gluttony and inevitable decay. The theme of cycles is also one that Cole returned to frequently, such as in his The Voyage of Life series." (Wikipedia)