Although this painting’s artist wrote that “the ravages of the axe are daily increasing,” the full title indicates that the broken trees in this painting were split by nature. Matthew Baigell notes that when viewed “from God’s perspective,” (15[1])shapes in the background of this painting (15[1])spell a Hebrew word. (15[1]-5[1])In (-5[1])this painting’s foreground, a cross-shaped chair, a flag, and a portfolio with a signature sit above a small (*) self-portrait of the artist turning towards the viewer. (10[1])This painting’s peaceful setting (-5[1])may be based on one of its artist’s earlier works for Luman Reed, The Pastoral State. This landscape painting is often read as an allegory (10[1])for wilderness versus civilization due to a receding thunderstorm on the left. For 10 points, name this Hudson River School painting (10[1])of the sharply winding Connecticut River by Thomas Cole. ■END■ (10[3])