Growing nationalism & The Hudson River School
(c.1820-1870)
Nationalism Art Viewing Guide | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Essential Question:
How did artists in this time period express a growing sense of nationalism (national pride, national identity) consistent with historical developments (expansion, growth of the federal government) we have been studying?
For each of the following sample works, consider:
Hint: Click on the picture to zoom in on its details of it and get a brief description of its background.
How did artists in this time period express a growing sense of nationalism (national pride, national identity) consistent with historical developments (expansion, growth of the federal government) we have been studying?
For each of the following sample works, consider:
- What elements of the work stand out or catch your eye? What's the first thing that comes to mind when you see the image? What are the things you notice next?
- What do you think the artists was trying to say or communicate to the viewer? Explain
Hint: Click on the picture to zoom in on its details of it and get a brief description of its background.
Points of Emphasis
Works 1-4 (Cole, Inness, Durand, Cropsey) demonstrate the following trends:
Works 5 &6 (by the Peale brothers) also demonstrate another trend:
Works 1-4 (Cole, Inness, Durand, Cropsey) demonstrate the following trends:
- A sense of national pride concerning the national landscape: While Europe has its cathedrals and castles, America has really cool LAND and LOTS OF IT!
- A Romantic focus on nature, the tension between civilization and nature: Humans are small, dwarfed by huge overpowering landscapes. Beautiful, crisp scenes show beauty and life in the background, with wild tree stumps (and death and rebirth, the cycle of life) in the foreground. These themes were also common in literature.
- The ambitious and hardworking nature of the new Americans.Despite the fact the Americans are dwarfed by nature, we see them trying to tame the wild, cutting trees, building houses, laying track for the new railroad.
Works 5 &6 (by the Peale brothers) also demonstrate another trend:
- American artists are showing off their improved technique! The quality of American art improves as more American artists are able to travel to Europe for formal training. Several uniquely American art schools are established during this time as well.
- This is particularly evident in the still life by Peale. The still life, and the accuracy with which it is rendered, has long been considered the true "test" of an artists' ability. Peale shows he is equal to his European counterparts - check out those grapes!!!
- This is also true of the "double portrait" with Rubens Peale and the geranium. This portrait is a great improvement over the more naive portraits typical of colonial portraiture (see this painting , artist unknown, in contrast). In comparison, Peale's portrait is very skillfully done.