Grand manner

Definition

The grand manner refers to a style of painting and portraiture that emphasizes idealization, grandeur, and the nobility of subjects, often drawing inspiration from classical art. This approach aims to elevate the status of the portrayed individuals by presenting them in a dignified, heroic light, often using dramatic compositions and rich colors to convey their importance and virtue.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The grand manner became particularly popular in American portraiture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, reflecting a desire for cultural sophistication and connection to European traditions.
2. Artists employing the grand manner often used props, elaborate costumes, and classical architectural elements to enhance the grandeur of their subjects.
3. The grand manner is marked by its use of idealized poses that suggest nobility and moral virtue, often positioning subjects against dramatic backgrounds.
4. This style was influenced by European portrait traditions, especially those from England and France, which aimed to convey the social status and aspirations of the American elite.
5. Prominent American artists like Gilbert Stuart and John Singleton Copley embraced the grand manner in their works, helping to define a distinctly American identity through their portraits.

Review Questions

• How did the grand manner influence the way artists portrayed their subjects in early American portraiture?
  • The grand manner significantly influenced artists by encouraging them to depict their subjects with an emphasis on idealization and nobility. This approach led to the use of dramatic compositions, heroic poses, and rich colors that elevated the social status of individuals portrayed. Artists wanted to connect their subjects to a sense of cultural sophistication drawn from classical art, creating portraits that not only captured likenesses but also conveyed moral virtues and aspirations.
• In what ways did the grand manner reflect societal values during its prominence in American art?
  • The grand manner reflected societal values by emphasizing ideals such as virtue, nobility, and aspirational qualities associated with American identity. As the nation was defining itself in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, artists adopted this style to align with European artistic traditions while asserting a unique cultural identity. The grand manner's focus on grandeur and dignity allowed individuals of varying social classes to be depicted as part of a collective national narrative that valued democracy, leadership, and moral integrity.
• Evaluate the impact of European artistic movements on the development of the grand manner in early American portraiture.
  • European artistic movements, particularly Neoclassicism and the Baroque tradition, had a profound impact on the development of the grand manner in early American portraiture. These influences encouraged American artists to adopt techniques that emphasized idealism, dramatic lighting through chiaroscuro, and classical themes. This borrowing helped create a bridge between European styles and American identity, allowing artists to develop a unique language that communicated both individual status and broader cultural ideals. As a result, the grand manner not only served as an artistic style but also as a means of articulating emerging American values during a time of national formation.

Related terms

Idealism: A style that seeks to portray subjects in an idealized form, focusing on beauty and perfection rather than realistic representation.

Chiaroscuro: A technique used in painting that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.

Neoclassicism: An artistic movement inspired by the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, characterized by clarity, order, and an emphasis on rationality.