🖼️American Art – Before 1865 Unit 3 – Colonial Art and Architecture

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Colonial period in American art history spans from early 17th century to late 18th century, encompassing art produced in the Thirteen Colonies
• Portraiture popular genre in colonial art, capturing likenesses of prominent individuals and families
• Limner refers to itinerant artists who traveled from town to town, painting portraits and other commissions
• Trompe l'oeil technique creates illusion of three-dimensionality on a flat surface (e.g., still life paintings)
• Rococo style characterized by ornate, curving lines, pastel colors, and lighthearted subject matter
• Neoclassicism drew inspiration from classical antiquity, emphasizing simplicity, symmetry, and moral virtue
• Chinoiserie decorative style inspired by Chinese art and design, featuring exotic motifs and patterns
• Vernacular architecture refers to buildings constructed using local materials and traditions, adapted to regional climates and needs

Historical Context and Timeline

• Colonial art developed in the context of European colonization of North America, beginning with the establishment of Jamestown in 1607
• Early colonial art influenced by artistic traditions of settlers' countries of origin (England, France, Spain, Netherlands)
• Puritanism in New England colonies emphasized simplicity and restraint in art and architecture
• Consumer revolution of the 18th century led to increased demand for luxury goods and decorative arts
• French and Indian War (1754-1763) and American Revolution (1775-1783) impacted colonial art production and patronage
• Neoclassical style gained popularity in the late 18th century, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and republican virtues
• Trade with Europe, Africa, and Asia introduced new materials, techniques, and artistic influences to colonial America

Major Colonial Art Styles and Movements

• Baroque style, characterized by dramatic lighting, intense emotions, and dynamic compositions, influenced early colonial art
• Rococo style emerged in the mid-18th century, featuring playful, ornate designs and pastel color palettes
  • Rococo interior design incorporated elaborate moldings, gilded mirrors, and curving lines
  • Rococo portraiture often depicted subjects in elegant, fashionable attire and settings
• Neoclassicism gained prominence in the late 18th century, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture
  • Neoclassical paintings featured heroic figures, moral themes, and balanced compositions
  • Neoclassical architecture emphasized symmetry, columns, pediments, and other classical elements
• Folk art traditions thrived in colonial America, including quilting, pottery, and woodworking
• Fraktur, a type of Pennsylvania German folk art, featured colorful, hand-lettered texts and decorative motifs

Influential Colonial Artists and Their Works

• John Smibert (1688-1751), Scottish-born painter, introduced European art traditions to the colonies
  • Smibert's portrait of Bishop Berkeley and His Entourage (1729) is a notable example of early colonial portraiture
• Benjamin West (1738-1820), Pennsylvania-born painter, gained fame in England for his historical and religious scenes
  • West's The Death of General Wolfe (1770) depicted a contemporary event in the grand manner of history painting
• Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827), Maryland-born painter, known for his portraits of Revolutionary War figures
  • Peale's portrait of George Washington (1772) established the iconic image of the first U.S. president
• John Singleton Copley (1738-1815), Boston-born painter, renowned for his realistic, expressive portraits
  • Copley's portrait of Paul Revere (1768) captures the silversmith and patriot's determined expression and direct gaze
• Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), Rhode Island-born painter, famous for his portraits of George Washington
  • Stuart's Athenaeum Portrait (1796) of Washington has appeared on the one-dollar bill since 1869

Architectural Developments in Colonial America

• Early colonial architecture adapted European styles to local materials and conditions
  • New England colonial houses featured steep roofs to shed snow and central chimneys for heating
  • Southern colonial plantations incorporated large porches and high ceilings for ventilation in hot, humid climates
• Georgian architecture, named after British monarchs George I-III, prevalent in the 18th century
  • Georgian style emphasized symmetry, proportion, and classical elements like columns and pediments
  • Notable examples include the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary and the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Maryland
• Palladian architecture, inspired by Italian architect Andrea Palladio, gained popularity in the mid-18th century
  • Palladian style featured central, pedimented porticos and symmetrical wings
  • Mount Vernon, George Washington's plantation home, is a prime example of Palladian architecture in colonial America
• Neoclassical architecture emerged in the late 18th century, reflecting republican ideals and Enlightenment principles
  • Neoclassical buildings featured domes, columns, and other elements inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture
  • The United States Capitol, designed by William Thornton, is an iconic example of neoclassical architecture in America

Materials and Techniques Used in Colonial Art

• Oil painting on canvas or wood panel was the primary medium for portraiture and historical scenes
  • Artists often primed canvases with a layer of lead white paint to create a smooth, luminous surface
  • Pigments were mixed with linseed oil to create a slow-drying, blendable paint
• Watercolor and gouache used for miniature portraits and botanical illustrations
  • Miniature portraits painted on small pieces of ivory or vellum, often worn as jewelry or kept in lockets
  • Botanical illustrations depicted native American plants with scientific accuracy and artistic skill
• Engraving and etching techniques used for printing maps, book illustrations, and political cartoons
  • Copper plates were incised with lines and then inked and pressed onto paper to create prints
  • Paul Revere, better known as a patriot, was also a skilled engraver who created political prints and illustrations
• Woodworking and furniture-making incorporated local woods like maple, cherry, and walnut
  • Furniture styles ranged from simple, utilitarian pieces to elaborate, carved designs inspired by Chippendale and other European cabinetmakers
• Textiles, including embroidery and needlework, were important decorative arts in colonial households
  • Samplers, embroidered by young girls as part of their education, often featured alphabets, moral verses, and decorative motifs

Cultural and Social Influences on Colonial Art

• Religious beliefs and practices shaped art and architecture in the colonies
  • Puritan values of simplicity and austerity influenced the plain, unadorned style of New England meetinghouses
  • Quaker beliefs in equality and humility reflected in the simple, functional design of their meetinghouses and furniture
• Economic and social status played a role in the commissioning and display of art
  • Wealthy merchants and landowners commissioned portraits and imported luxury goods to demonstrate their status and taste
  • Middle-class households increasingly acquired prints, textiles, and decorative objects as the consumer revolution expanded
• Enlightenment ideas and scientific inquiry influenced the subject matter and style of colonial art
  • Portraits of Enlightenment figures like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson depicted them as learned, rational individuals
  • Scientific illustrations of plants, animals, and natural phenomena reflected a growing interest in the natural world
• Transatlantic trade and cultural exchange exposed colonists to a wide range of artistic influences
  • Imported goods from Europe, Asia, and Africa introduced new styles, materials, and techniques to colonial artists and consumers
  • The triangular trade and the institution of slavery shaped the economy and social structure of the colonies, particularly in the South

Legacy and Impact on American Art History

• Colonial art laid the foundation for the development of a distinctly American artistic tradition
  • Portraiture, landscape painting, and folk art traditions established in the colonial period continued to evolve in the 19th and 20th centuries
  • The neoclassical style, popularized in the late 18th century, became a symbol of American democracy and national identity
• Colonial artists played a significant role in shaping American national identity and historical memory
  • Portraits of Revolutionary War heroes and statesmen helped to create a pantheon of American leaders and role models
  • Historical paintings and prints depicting key events like the signing of the Declaration of Independence contributed to a shared sense of national history and pride
• The study of colonial art has expanded to include a more diverse range of voices and perspectives
  • Recent scholarship has highlighted the contributions of women, enslaved people, and indigenous artists to the colonial art world
  • Interdisciplinary approaches have explored the intersections of art, politics, religion, and social history in the colonial period
• Colonial art collections and museums serve as important resources for understanding early American history and culture
  • Major collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Colonial Williamsburg provide opportunities for public engagement with colonial art and artifacts
  • The preservation and interpretation of colonial-era buildings and sites offer insights into the lived experiences and artistic expressions of early Americans