🖼️American Art – Before 1865 Unit 4 – Early American Portraiture

Key Artists and Their Influences

• John Singleton Copley influenced by the British portrait tradition and the works of Sir Godfrey Kneller and Allan Ramsay
• Benjamin West studied in Italy and England, bringing back Neoclassical influences to American portraiture
  • West's history paintings and grand manner portraiture style inspired many American artists
• Gilbert Stuart trained in London under Benjamin West and became renowned for his portraits of George Washington
  • Stuart's portraits set the standard for presidential portraiture in the United States
• Charles Willson Peale influenced by the Enlightenment ideals and the desire to document the new nation's leaders
  • Peale founded the first museum in the United States, displaying portraits alongside natural history specimens
• Ralph Earl adopted a more folk art style in his portraits, reflecting the rural New England setting
• John Trumbull studied under Benjamin West in London and became known for his historical paintings and portraits
• Thomas Sully influenced by the British portrait tradition and the works of Sir Thomas Lawrence, bringing a romantic flair to American portraiture

Artistic Techniques and Styles

• Grand manner portraiture emphasized idealized depictions of subjects, often in classical poses and settings
• Copley's portraits featured rich colors, detailed fabrics, and a sense of realism in the sitters' faces
• West's Neoclassical style incorporated classical elements, such as columns and drapery, into the portraits
• Stuart's brushwork techniques created a sense of depth and dimensionality in his portraits
  • Stuart's use of warm, glowing colors and subtle modeling of features became a hallmark of his style
• Peale's portraits often depicted sitters in natural, relaxed poses, reflecting Enlightenment ideals
• Earl's folk art style featured flatter, more simplified forms and bold, graphic qualities
• Trumbull's portraits and history paintings demonstrated a mastery of composition and storytelling
• Sully's portraits showcased a romantic, softer style with an emphasis on elegance and beauty

Social and Historical Context

• Early American portraiture developed during the colonial period and the early years of the United States
• Portraits served as a means of documenting the likeness of individuals and families in a time before photography
• The growing wealth and social status of the American colonies led to an increased demand for portraiture
  • Merchants, landowners, and political figures commissioned portraits to display their prosperity and importance
• The American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation influenced the subject matter and symbolism in portraits
  • Portraits of political leaders, such as George Washington, became iconic representations of the new nation
• The Enlightenment ideals of reason, individualism, and progress shaped the intellectual and artistic climate of the time
• The rise of the middle class in the early 19th century expanded the market for portraiture beyond the wealthy elite
• Portraits played a role in documenting family lineages and preserving the memory of individuals for future generations

Symbolism and Iconography

• Portraits often included objects and settings that conveyed the sitter's social status, profession, or personal attributes
  • Books, globes, and scientific instruments symbolized learning and intellectual pursuits
  • Military uniforms and weapons indicated the sitter's role in the American Revolution or other military service
• Classical elements, such as columns and drapery, alluded to the sitter's virtue, wisdom, and connection to ancient ideals
• Landscapes and pastoral settings in the background of portraits suggested the sitter's connection to the land and the American wilderness
• The use of the color black in clothing and backgrounds conveyed a sense of sophistication and elegance
• Flowers, such as roses, could symbolize beauty, love, or the fleeting nature of life
• The inclusion of family members, particularly children, in portraits emphasized the importance of family bonds and lineage
• Portraits of political figures often incorporated symbols of the United States, such as the American flag or the bald eagle

Patrons and Commissions

• Wealthy merchants, landowners, and political figures were the primary patrons of early American portraiture
  • These patrons commissioned portraits to showcase their social status, wealth, and importance
• The American Revolution and the establishment of the United States government led to commissions for portraits of political leaders
  • Gilbert Stuart's portraits of George Washington were commissioned by the federal government and became the basis for the portrait on the one-dollar bill
• Portraits were often commissioned to commemorate significant life events, such as marriages, births, or deaths
• Some patrons commissioned portraits as diplomatic gifts or to strengthen political alliances
• The growing middle class in the early 19th century began to commission portraits as a means of social mobility and self-representation
• Portraits were also commissioned by institutions, such as universities and government buildings, to honor notable individuals or to create a sense of institutional identity

Evolution of Early American Portraiture

• Early colonial portraits were often painted by self-taught or itinerant artists with limited formal training
• The arrival of European-trained artists, such as John Singleton Copley and Benjamin West, brought a higher level of technical skill and artistic sophistication to American portraiture
  • These artists introduced the grand manner style and Neoclassical influences to American art
• The American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as an independent nation led to a demand for portraits that celebrated American identity and leadership
  • Portraits of political figures, such as George Washington, became iconic symbols of the new nation
• The rise of the middle class in the early 19th century led to a democratization of portraiture, with a wider range of individuals commissioning portraits
• The influence of Romanticism in the early 19th century brought a softer, more emotional style to American portraiture, as seen in the works of Thomas Sully
• The development of photography in the mid-19th century began to challenge the role of painted portraiture as a means of documenting likeness
  • However, painted portraits continued to be valued for their artistic qualities and symbolic significance

Notable Artworks and Their Significance

• John Singleton Copley's "Paul Revere" (c. 1768-1770) is a masterful example of Copley's skill in capturing the likeness and character of his subjects
  • The portrait's detailed rendering of Revere's face and clothing, along with the inclusion of his silversmithing tools, provides insight into both the man and his profession
• Benjamin West's "The Death of General Wolfe" (1770) is a landmark history painting that depicts the death of British General James Wolfe during the Battle of Quebec
  • The painting's Neoclassical style, dramatic composition, and inclusion of contemporary figures in classical poses made it a groundbreaking work in the history of American art
• Gilbert Stuart's "Lansdowne Portrait" (1796) of George Washington is one of the most iconic images of the first U.S. president
  • The portrait's grand manner style, with Washington's elegant pose and the classical setting, presents him as a stately and dignified leader
• Charles Willson Peale's "The Artist in His Museum" (1822) is a self-portrait that showcases Peale's multiple roles as an artist, scientist, and museum founder
  • The painting depicts Peale lifting a curtain to reveal his museum's collection, symbolizing the Enlightenment ideal of the dissemination of knowledge
• Thomas Sully's "Lady with a Harp" (1818) exemplifies the Romantic style in American portraiture, with its soft, dreamy quality and emphasis on the sitter's beauty and elegance

Legacy and Impact on Later Art Movements

• Early American portraiture laid the foundation for the development of American art in the 19th and 20th centuries
• The grand manner style and Neoclassical influences introduced by Copley, West, and Stuart continued to shape American portraiture throughout the 19th century
• The emphasis on realism and the celebration of American identity in early American portraiture influenced later movements such as the Hudson River School and American Realism
  • These movements sought to capture the unique character of the American landscape and people
• The democratization of portraiture in the early 19th century paved the way for the rise of genre painting and the representation of everyday life in American art
• The iconic portraits of political figures, such as George Washington, became enduring symbols of American leadership and national identity
  • These portraits continue to be widely reproduced and referenced in popular culture and political imagery
• The technical skills and artistic innovations of early American portrait painters inspired and influenced generations of American artists
  • The works of Copley, West, Stuart, and others served as models for aspiring artists to study and emulate
• The legacy of early American portraiture can be seen in the ongoing tradition of presidential portraits and the continued importance of portraiture in American art and culture