🖼️American Art – Before 1865 Unit 5 – American Revolution & Federal Period Art

Historical Context

• American Revolution (1765-1783) marked a significant shift in political and social structures, influencing art production and patronage
• Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787) established the United States as an independent nation, fostering a sense of national identity
• Enlightenment ideas of reason, individualism, and democracy shaped the intellectual and artistic climate of the period
• Neoclassicism emerged as a dominant style, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture (Pantheon, Parthenon)
• Federal Period (1785-1815) saw the establishment of a new government and the growth of a distinctly American culture
  • Washington, D.C. was established as the nation's capital in 1790
  • The White House and Capitol Building were constructed during this time

Key Artists and Their Works

• John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) was a prominent portraitist known for his realistic depictions of American colonial society
  • Notable works include "Paul Revere" (1768) and "Watson and the Shark" (1778)
• Benjamin West (1738-1820), an American-born artist who worked in England, was a key figure in the development of history painting
  • "The Death of General Wolfe" (1770) depicted a contemporary event with classical elements
• Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) is best known for his portraits of George Washington, which became the basis for the portrait on the one-dollar bill
• Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) was a portraitist, naturalist, and founder of one of the first museums in the United States
  • His portrait of "George Washington at the Battle of Princeton" (1784) is a notable example of his work
• John Trumbull (1756-1843) was a painter and architect known for his historical scenes of the American Revolution
  • "Declaration of Independence" (1817) is displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda

Artistic Styles and Movements

• Neoclassicism drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art, emphasizing simplicity, symmetry, and idealized forms
  • Influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of reason and order
  • Characterized by the use of classical motifs, such as columns, pediments, and draped figures
• Romanticism began to emerge in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the sublime in nature
  • Romantic artists sought to evoke strong feelings through dramatic compositions and vivid colors
• Portraiture remained a significant genre during this period, with artists striving to capture the likeness and character of their subjects
  • Portraits served as important status symbols for the growing middle class
• Landscape painting gained popularity, reflecting a growing interest in the American wilderness and the concept of the "sublime"
  • Artists such as Thomas Cole and Asher B. Durand helped establish the Hudson River School in the early 19th century

Themes and Symbolism

• Patriotism and national identity were major themes in American art during this period
  • Depictions of American heroes, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were common
  • Scenes from the American Revolution and the founding of the nation were popular subjects
• Classical symbols, such as the eagle and the liberty cap, were used to represent American ideals and values
• The concept of the "noble savage" was prevalent in representations of Native Americans
  • Artists often depicted them as idealized, heroic figures, while ignoring the realities of their displacement and oppression
• Representations of the American landscape were imbued with a sense of national pride and manifest destiny
  • The vastness and untamed nature of the American wilderness were seen as symbols of the nation's potential and uniqueness

Techniques and Materials

• Oil painting on canvas was the dominant medium for portraiture and historical scenes
  • Artists often used a glazing technique, building up layers of translucent color to achieve depth and luminosity
• Pastels and watercolors were also used, particularly for smaller-scale works and preliminary sketches
• Copper plates were used for engraving and etching, allowing for the mass production and distribution of images
  • Printmaking played a significant role in disseminating political and social ideas during the American Revolution
• Sculptors worked primarily in marble, bronze, and plaster, creating busts, reliefs, and public monuments
  • Jean-Antoine Houdon's bust of George Washington (1785) is a notable example of Neoclassical sculpture

Impact on American Identity

• Art played a crucial role in shaping and reflecting American identity during the Revolutionary and Federal periods
• Portraits of American leaders and heroes helped establish a sense of national pride and unity
  • Gilbert Stuart's portraits of George Washington became iconic representations of the first president and the nation itself
• Historical paintings, such as John Trumbull's "Declaration of Independence," celebrated key moments in American history and reinforced patriotic ideals
• The representation of the American landscape as a vast, untamed wilderness contributed to the idea of American exceptionalism and manifest destiny
  • The Hudson River School painters helped establish a distinctly American style of landscape painting
• The establishment of cultural institutions, such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1805), helped foster a sense of national identity and support for the arts

Legacy and Influence

• The art of the American Revolution and Federal Period laid the foundation for the development of a distinctly American artistic tradition
• Neoclassicism and Romanticism continued to influence American art throughout the 19th century
  • The Hudson River School, which emerged in the 1820s, built upon the Romantic tradition of landscape painting
• The emphasis on national identity and patriotism in art helped shape American culture and values
  • Iconic images, such as Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington, remain powerful symbols of American identity
• The establishment of cultural institutions and art academies during this period paved the way for the professionalization of American art
  • The National Academy of Design, founded in 1825, became a leading center for art education and exhibition
• The art of this period continues to be celebrated and studied as a crucial part of American cultural heritage
  • Works by key artists, such as John Singleton Copley and Benjamin West, are held in major museum collections worldwide

Notable Collections and Museums

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City houses a significant collection of American art from the Colonial and Federal periods
  • Notable works include John Singleton Copley's "The Copley Family" (1776-1777) and Gilbert Stuart's "George Washington" (1795)
• The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. features an extensive collection of American art, including works by John Trumbull and Charles Willson Peale
• The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is home to a rich collection of American art, with strengths in Colonial and Federal period paintings
  • Key works include John Singleton Copley's "Paul Revere" (1768) and Gilbert Stuart's "George Washington" (1796)
• The Philadelphia Museum of Art showcases American art from the Colonial era through the early 20th century
  • The collection includes works by Benjamin West, Charles Willson Peale, and Thomas Sully
• The Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut, features a strong collection of American art, particularly from the 18th and early 19th centuries
  • The gallery holds works by John Trumbull, who was a student at Yale, and other notable artists of the period