Classical Blog Exhibit- Revolution and Art – 1700’s
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Title: The Lansdowne Portrait
Artist: Gilbert Stuart
Year: 1796
Created: Philadelphia
The Lansdowne portrait is an iconic life-size portrait of
George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796. It took place at Stuart's
studio in the William Moore Smith house, at the southeast corner of 5th &
Chestnut Streets. Gilbert Stuart always dreamed of having the opportunity to
paint George’s portrait. The George
Washington painting was one of many, he focused on the differing image, quality,
and purpose every time. “The Lansdowne Portrait” is an oil on canvas that was
commissioned by Senator William Bingham of Pennsylvania in 1796. In this
painting, Gilbert has George Washington standing with his right arm out, and
left arm to side as if he about to bow. He is surrounded by the symbolism of
both American and Ancient Rome designed furniture and décor, at top of the
chair the stands the American flag. There
are Doric columns in the background, and he is holding a decorative sword that
says he is a democratic form of government. The rainbow and clouds on the on
the right symbolize the American Revolutionary War. I would not like this
painting hanging in my house, it has two dark of scene to match with anything
but, I would love to go see it.
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Title: Abigale Bromfield Rogers (Mrs. Daniel Denison Rogers)
(1753-1791)
Artist: John Singleton Copley
Created: 1784
Location: North America, United States
John Singleton Copley was a famous American painter/artist. Ever
since John started his work; he was known immediately for his portraits. While Abigale
and Daniel were visiting the Copley family at Windsor Castle, that is when this
portrait was painted. The work was eventually shipped to Massachusetts and was
passed down through the Rogers family along with several portraits Copley
painted while working in Boston in the 1760s." Copley painted this
portrait of his step-niece nearly 10 years after he left Boston and moved to London.
Copley was also known for adding the Rococo style. The Mrs. Daniel Denison
Rogers is painted with blue and white pastel colors, like you would find in the
sky. He uses whites and pearl or silver
to make her dress really shine. When I look at it the painting it makes me feel
like I can feel the silkiness of the dress and the weight of her hat. I just
love how he added the sunset, the yellow and orange really make her dress stand
out. He painted with such details that lace on her hat looks almost 3D. Copley was known for how magnificent and
perfect he painted the facial features, and the use of flesh tones are beyond realistic.
If I owned a copy of this, I would hang in my laundry room, it reminds me of
clean linens hanging outside on a clothesline.
Title: The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s
Hill, June 17, 1775
Artist: John Trumbull
Date: after 1815–before 1831
Location: Boston
This was painted by John Trumbull sometime during the 18th
century. He watched the battle of
Bunkers Hill through field glasses, similar to binoculars, and later decided to
paint one of the images he had witnessed. This painting is of the
American soldiers winning their freedom from the tyranny of Britain. It shows The Death of General Warren at the
Battle of Bunker's Hill on June 17, 1775, during the American Revolutionary
War. Trumbull incorporated classical style into his work ranging from Rococo to
Neoclassicism. This painting is of the
actual battlefield scene that Trumbull witnessed looking through field glasses.
Warren’s body is dressed in white, surrounded by dozens of dead bodies and
other soldiers still fighting. A
colonial general Israel Putnam is shown in the painting protecting Warren and
preventing a fellow British soldier from bayoneting him. The fighting grounds
and in the background of the painting you can see colonial and British troops
carrying flags. The sky is covered with smoke rising from Charlestown which had
been torched by the British, and you can also see the Boston Harbor. I love the
history and story behind the painting but no I think I would rather travel to
go see the painting rather than hang it in my home.
Citations:
https://samanthaabeyratne.home.blog/2018/10/23/revolution-and-art-1700s/
https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/art/227926
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Hi Tamera,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis for the artwork by John Singleton Copley, especially when discussing the way he painted the fabric. I agree that there is this "silkiness" with the dress, it looks weightless in the wind. Copley is well known for incorporating elements of Realism in his work; beyond the silk finish of the dress, there is that obvious bulk and weight of the hat, but you can also see this Realism in the painting's environment. I personally notice that in many other famed artworks, nature is an 'additional' to the piece, helping to symbolize smaller elements that the artwork's main subject did not. That is, if there is even any symbolism used; sometimes trees, and other natural objects, are depicted with little detail and used just to fill a void on the canvas. However, for Copley, he dedicated the same effort to the trees and atmosphere as he did the dress. Yes, trees and clouds did not have much complex detail, but I can see the direction of the winds as they push the clouds across the beautiful sunset sky. I can imagine the sounds of leaves rustling behind her, it all comes together to give us, the audience, the sense of presence - that we were actually there to witness this moment.
Also, was it just me, or is there a "glow" that emits from her? You mentioned that the sunset was used to contrast from her silhouette and make he stand out, but if you look on her left (or right) side, she has a distinct glow. I would have to do more research about Mrs. Rogers, as I do not know much about her, but I would guess that maybe in commissioning this work, her husband wanted a godly around her wife. Or perhaps Copley added it on his own, to help place subtle symbolism about the couple's love - or wealth, a possibility for sure.