In The Architect's Dream, Thomas Cole painted a vision of the history of Western civilization as a succession of buildings through time and space. A massive Egyptian pyramid and temple, Roman aqueduct, and Greek and Roman temples demonstrate his knowledge of architectural history, likely taken from architectural pattern books given to the artist as partial payment for the commission, showing the range of forms that inspired 19th-century architects. Geographical and historical contrasts separate the right and left sides of the composition. Tall trees mirror the cathedral's steeple, pointing towards Heaven, indicating the inspiration of nature in the architectural form of the church. A sacred place in harmony with nature and God, the shaded church contrasts with the towering classical structures that appear artificial and warn against fleeting power. Inspired by Salisbury Cathedral and Chapter House in England, the cathedral suggests the 19th-century Gothic architectural revival in America. Symmetrical capitals frame the sides of the canvas, their forms taken from Salisbury Chapter House, creating a Gothic window. We gaze through the theatrical window, to behind the cathedral spire, where the setting sun shines brilliant light through the windows, creating the impression of stained glass, and evoking divine light. Cole's youth and travels in England may have contributed to a sense of national pride that influenced his reference to an English Gothic cathedral, an architectural style from shared American and English history, thereby extending American history back in time. With his face turned towards the radiant light emanating through the cathedral steeple, the architect reclines on gigantic pattern books, the catalyst of this vision of creative imagination. By including architectural tools, books, and plans alongside the dreaming architect, the artist indicates the importance of engineering and design in growing American commerce, elevating the artist and architect's roles. The extraordinary variety and enduring beauty of Thomas Cole's painting celebrates human creativity.

The painting provides an apt illustration for a textbook on software architecture. Many contemporary software systems have designs that draw heavily from the designs of prior applications. Others take fresh inspiration from social systems or nature. Just as Cole's architect is surrounded by past structures, books, and plans, so the skilled software architect has existing systems and, importantly, a vast store of styles, techniques, processes, and tools from which to choose when confronting a design challenge.

—LET & RNT