Module 2 Flashcards
This man is said to be culturally ambitious for the new nation.
Samuel F.B. Morse
He was a skilled artisan, silversmith, maker of teapots and tea sets which were complex objects. Longfellow wrote a poem about him and his ride. Master of the rococo style in 2D paintings and silverware. Silver was commissioned by the Boston aristocracy.
Paul Revere
What painting genre is a significant area of artistic production, representing important artifacts of early nationhood
Portraiture
Name architectural symbols of the new nation.
Plan for capital Washington D.C
United States Capitol
Henry Pelham (Boy with a Squirrel) (Boston)
John Singleton Copley
1765
Shown at the society of artists in London, exhibits his ability to capture surfaces with verisimilitude.
Nicholas Boylston
Boston
John Singleton Copley
1767
Boylston is a wealthy Boston merchant. Boats in the background represent his ties to international trade. Accounting books, Chippendale seat, copied from new styles in London. He’s at east at home, no wig. Portrait commissioned in celebration of his stature. He imported textiles, paper, tea, glass. He was a loyalist, whose goods were taxed angering consumers in America.
Mrs. Ezekiel Goldthwait (Elizabeth Lewis)
Boston
John Singleton Copley
A most successful and unified pendant portrait of a wife of a wealthy politician. Boston town clerk, auditor. Represents family life, she’s at home, plump and prosperous, Chippendale table, a feeling of satisfaction with status, with imported things. Subdued colors, her face, and hands are illuminated.
Material Wealth. Impeccable material detail. Each of his subjects in this series are interrupted mid-action, looking at the camera. Fruit is her fertility or their gardens or a feminine symbol.
The Bloody Massacre
Boston
Paul Revere (engraved it) after Henry Pelham (designed) 1770, hand-colored engraving
political cartoon
confrontation between British troops and unarmed Boston residents over trade restrictions and taxes.
Paul Revere
Boston
John Singleton Copley
1768
Portrayed as a skilled artisan, he holds a teapot, a psychologically intense portrait. An artisan in dress sleeves shown at work is an unprecedented subject matter for Copley and also for portraiture of this time in America. Conveys intelligence with his gaze. Spare setting, no-frills, no wig, work clothes but with gold buttons, clean and polished table - this is an idealized setting, not a true workman’s table. the teapot is an aesthetic choice, but also a political one.
This house resembles the Parson Capen’s House in Topsfield, MA in construction and minimal ornimentation.
Paul Revere House, Boston, MA, c. 1676.
Successful and skilled silversmith, commissioned my aristocracy of Boson this includes the Sons of Liberty Bowl
and commemorates radical Wigs and the 92 members of the MA house of representative.
Paul Revere, Tea Service, 1792, Silver and wood
Tea service referenced: status, land, courtship, sexual pursuit.
THIS silverware showcases HIS high level of craftsmanship and engraving, dominance in production as this beverage’s popularity comes back after the war. Now an entire set is purchased, instead of individual pieces.
Paul Revere, Teapot, 1790-95, silver, 6 x 3 1/2 x 11 3/8”
The Copley Family
John Singleton Copley
1776-77
Painted in London and shown at the Royal Academy. Delighted of being joined by wife, children, and father-in-law, Richard Clark a Tori merchant. Reflects a shift to a more gentle approach to child-rearing, love and affection is now shown in 18C family portraits.
Watson and the Shark
John Singleton Copley
1778
Painted in London, showing how his style had changed while here. The austerity of his colonial painting is lost, now more loser palette, brighter colors, more complex composition. This is a true event. Havana harbor. Watson is a Tory leader and merchant. Slavery discussion.
The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill, 17 June 1775
John Trumbull
1786
colorful, dramatic, diagonal in composition, conveys insanity and heroic deaths.
first in his series. British breakthrough the lines resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Shows honorable behavior transcends international borders.
The Death of General Montgomery in the Attack on Quebec, 31 December 1775,
John Trumbull
1786
colorful, dramatic, diagonal in composition, conveys insanity and heroic deaths.
reverses the diagonal from general Warren’s death but keeps many compositional devices. British triumphs.
Depicts the moment Montgomery dies. Captains dead at his feet. rich glowing colors, the excitement of battle.
The Declaration of Independence
John Trumbull
1786-1797
For the Captial building rotunda. First of 4 revolutionary scenes commissions by the government. Enlarged version.
Begun in Paris, Jefferson gave him an account. Instead of a single person presenting the Declaration of Ind. which is accurate, he chose to represent all 47 individuals who represent the founding of our nation, even those who were not really present or those who opposed the document. the room is not true - more elegant seats, more elegant drapes, meant to make America more sophisticated. this draft is being presented to the 2nd continental congress. Signed July 4th, 1776.
George Washington (Vaughn Portrait)
Gilbert Stuart
1795
Representational of the nation. Continental army First president Wealthy farmer He looks out at the viewer with confidence
George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait)
Gilbert Stuart
1796
Commissioned by Bingham for Lansdowne
Statesman and not landowner, republican and not monarchial. Public address and roman posture, new national iconography - bald eagle and stars.
Colonel James Swan
Gilbert Stuart
1795
Financier. sons of liberty. Brushstrokes have captured the subject’s lively character, especially around the eyes.
Mrs. Richard Yates
Gilbert Stuart
1793
American’s are more forthright and literal and his style changed accordingly.
Appraising character is shown here. An artistic masterpiece, and visual representation of the new nation.
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham
Sculpture
Patience Lovell Wright
1779, wax effigy, life-size
Female artist, earliest American sculptors, relocated to England. patriot and spy for Americans, subjects were both patriots and loyalists including George III. this is the only sculpture remaining of her work. Displayed in West Minster Abbey. Pitt is sympathetic to America.