In depicting architecture, the portrayal of or absence of people is always important as the function of architecture always involves people. Outside of the Egyptian and Greek temples, there are many people, with some wearing white. These people seem to be practicing their religions, as evidenced by the fires and the lining up of people. Another example of human activity are the boats in the river, which is a reference to another one of Cole's works, The Course of Empire: Consummation, representing the golden ages and the importance of navigation to empire. This human activity is in contrast to the Gothic church, where no one is to be seen and no boats are harbored. This can be seen as the shift from religion as a public, grandiose, and celebratory activity to a more private activity. This portrayal creates a bleak view of empire, that people are aspiring for less, and that the dreams of humanity are diminishing as time goes
In depicting architecture, the portrayal of or absence of people is always important as the function of architecture always involves people. Outside of the Egyptian and Greek temples, there are many people, with some wearing white. These people seem to be practicing their religions, as evidenced by the fires and the lining up of people. Another example of human activity are the boats in the river, which is a reference to another one of Cole's works, The Course of Empire: Consummation, representing the golden ages and the importance of navigation to empire. This human activity is in contrast to the Gothic church, where no one is to be seen and no boats are harbored. This can be seen as the shift from religion as a public, grandiose, and celebratory activity to a more private activity. This portrayal creates a bleak view of empire, that people are aspiring for less, and that the dreams of humanity are diminishing as time goes