American Revolution Exhibit

The American Revolution was a hard fought war on both sides. It was a defining moment for enlightenment not just in America but around the world. Art was less about showing new styles an innovation, and more about what the art can mean to the people that see it. That's not to say other eras were not also trying to mean something to people, it definitely was. Much of the art that deals with the American Revolution was commissioned by governments or officials, to spark some type of feeling in the people. There were also personal commissions, usually meant to commemorate something important to a smaller group of people, such as an army battalion or family.



The first painting displayed is George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait) by Gilbert Stuart. It was painted in America in 1796, and commissioned by Senator William Binghamas as a gift for William Petty, Lord Shelburne, the first Marquess of Lansdowne. It is a life sized portrait of George Washington painted on canvas. This painting serves as an example of a revolutionary era painting depicting an important figure of the war, in a non war context. Rather this painting is created to put on display the noble and elegant general in a way that will inspire awe. 

In terms of the art itself I am not the biggest fan. I really like the texture that is put into the chair and table legs, both having beautiful carvings in them. I also think the shear size of the painting is quite impressive. Washington was a tall man at 6'2, and the painting covers even higher than that. On the other hand I think that the background is missing dimensionality. It appears to be flat, almost like the wall behind Washington is painted rather than actually there. I also think that Washington looks very stiff here. His arm is out but he looks like he has been standing there for years, and not like this was captured in a moment of time.




The Death of General Wolfe is an American painting by Benjamin West, painted in 1770. While the events depicted in the painting take place during the 7 Years War, the time frame and themes depicted are still comparable to the American Revolution. The painting depicts General Wolfe dying at the moment of victory, conquering Quebec. The painting was commissioned to promote his self sacrifice for the war. The viewer was meant to see this painting and feel this pride in the idea of sacrificing oneself, almost romanticizing it.

I personally really enjoy this painting. I enjoy the textures of the clothes and flags and how real they make the scene feel. I also really like the shading and coloring of the sky. The grey clouds are to the right, but are being pushed away by the sunny sky, mirroring the battle that is being pushed away by victory. There are also heavy shadows painted, giving the painting a somber mood, while the lighting that is colored on Wolfe, gives the painting a hint of optimism.



The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, December 31, 1775 is an American painting by John Trumbull. It was painted in 1786. This piece has a much more somber tone than the previous painting. Thought they both depict dying generals in war, this painting focuses on the sadness cause by losing someone. This work is created not to make anyone want to fight in a war, or to romanticize a battle, but rather to commemorate those who lost their lives. 

I enjoy this painting, especially in context of The Death of General Wolfe. I enjoy the way this piece uses the color grey throughout the whole canvas to really drive home the mood of the painting. I also like how the painting is structured, so that the General and his men are all slightly higher than the rest of the men.

Links

“AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.” The Yale University Art Gallery, https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/57.

“George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait).” National Portrait Gallery, www.npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13.

“THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.” National Gallery of Canada, National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-death-of-general-wolfe-0.
“AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.” The Yale University Art Gallery, artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/57.
“George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait).” National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13.
“THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.” National Gallery of Canada, National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-death-of-general-wolfe-0.
“AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.” The Yale University Art Gallery, artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/57.
“George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait).” National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13.
“THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.” National Gallery of Canada, National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-death-of-general-wolfe-0.
“AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE.” The Yale University Art Gallery, artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/57.
“George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait).” National Portrait Gallery, npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.2001.13.
“THE DEATH OF GENERAL WOLFE.” National Gallery of Canada, National Gallery of Canada, www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/the-death-of-general-wolfe-0.

Comments

  1. Cainan OsswaldJuly 1, 2021 at 7:19 PM

    I also thought of using George Washington for my exhibit. He was a great man in regards of his integrity and accomplishments. I find myself drawn more to pieces that are either crafted well or tell the story plainly, using facial expressions or body language.

    ReplyDelete
  2. addisonJuly 1, 2021 at 7:28 PM

    Awesome job all the way through, I like what you did focusing on the American Revolution and relevant artists. Amusing learning about the first painting after seeing it so often on social media. Also, snapshots/images of generals in battle are so more not uncommon but you never really take the time to learn about them either. Two comparatively different depictions of dying, one with a glimmer of hope or optimism and the last lacking clarity and light, definitely more gloomy.

    ReplyDelete

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