In The Voyage of Life, the 3rd of a 4 part series of paintings, artist Thomas Cole portrays man as an adult who now faces the trials of life. The boat is damaged, the tiller gone and the river has become a rush of white water, menacing rocks, whirlpools, and surging currents. In the boat, the man no longer displays confidence or even control. The angel appears high in the sky, still watching over the man, who does not see the angel – he must rely on his faith that the angel is there to help him.
