In the spring of 1825 the 24-year-old Cole arrived in NYC from Philadelphia and began painting landscapes.  Several were exhibited in the shop of George Dixie.  Some were seen by George Washington Bruen, a merchant and a patron of the American Academy of Fine Arts.  Bruen bought one or more of Cole’s paintings and provided him with money to visit the Hudson in late August.  Returning with a portfolio of sketches, Cole executed 5 paintings; placed with dealer William Colman, they were seen by John Trumbull, artist and president of American Academy.  All 3 were bought, one by Asher B. Durand, and that’s how Cole’s career began.