Classic Blog / Art and the America Revolution
All three paintings replicate the classical style of art as seen in the elements of statutes, sculptures, and architecture. Each painting represents a significant moment in American history, displaying these moments in a grand style reminiscent of the heroes and gods of Greek mythology. The first painting, The Declaration of Independence, has that Roman connection, having that style of architecture on the walls and the way the flags are formed in the center. In the second painting, Washington Before Yorktown, Washington is depicted in a classic pose, with his head turned to the side and his chest lifted, like Michelangelo's classically-inspired David sculpture. The last painting, The Siege of Yorktown, like the second painting, has that Roman style pose, seeing the figures as well as the tent behind the main figures that looks like a Greek temple with its columns. American artists wished to recall a time of stability and unity in order to unify the young country, so as they memorialized the events of the American Revolution, they reached back to the time in history where democracy began to set the stage for their new republic.
John Trumbull is an American artist during the period of the Revolutionary War. He was born in 1756 in Lebanon, Connecticut. John Trumbull graduated from Harvard University in 1773. John Trumbull served in the army and was an aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Moreover, during his time in the army his talent led him to paint the important moments during his service he resigned as a colonel in 1777. But his talent was still there and he went to study in England where he became a painter. Throughout his time John Trumbull created numerous works of portraits and historical scenes. He died on November 10, 1843 but his great works now make history in the United States.
The declaration of independence
In the painting of the Declaration of Independence I see several elements, one of them is the paper on the table, my gaze goes directly to that point which makes it the main focus of the painting. The second element is the light that gives the painting a large space. And some large windows that let in some bright natural light on the left side of the painting. Lastly, the striking colors that the painting has, on the one hand, in the clothes of the people and the curtains, colors like red, brown and yellow, create a calm visual. A detail that I also saw is the poses of the people are very formal, which transmits a certain nobility.
The emotions that I see in this painting are a feeling of seriousness that at the time was a serious thing and that is why John Trumbull painted the faces of the people serious and not happy. The painting is about 21 inches by 31 inches and it is presented very formally and neatly. The painting has a certain classical composition in the background of the painting I see that certain architecture which brings out that part of the historical story in the painting. I do not have a copy of this work but as I always said I would love to see the original where it is in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. I think seeing it in person allows me to see the size of it, also admire it and it can inspire me when I see it. The history behind the painting is when they first represented the document of the declaration of independence to the second continental congress.
Rembrandt Peale is an American born in 1778 in Pennsylvania. He comes from a family of artists and is well known for his portraits. He learned to paint like his father Charles Wilson and became one of the leading American portrait painters of his time. In 1795, when Rembrandt was only 17 years old, he painted the portrait of George Washington, the first portrait of the first president.
In the composition of the painting Washington before Yorktown, the arrangement of the figures and their elements within the painting creates a moment of power. Washington, positioned in the center of the painting and elevated on top of his horse, creates the focal part of the composition. The soldiers surrounding Washington create a dynamic way of guiding the viewer's gaze through the painting. The background passage and the sense of depth guide the audience to view the heroic Washington illuminated by the sun. The second visual element that painting has is color. The artist used certain colors such as dark blue and red in the uniforms that contrast those lighter and colder tones in the horses and the landscape which draws the viewer's gaze to the figures of Washington and the officers in the painting. The use of those colors creates that part of depth and realism making the painting look clearer and more interesting. Finally, light and shadow make the painting look more realistic and dramatic. The artist used light right in the center of the painting highlighting the faces of Washington and the officers drawing focus to the figures' expressions. The shadows create that feeling of depth and definition in the shapes of the horses and soldiers, that touch of contrast between light and shadow gives that feeling of movement and drama in the painting.
In the painting I see many emotions which are strength and leadership, but I also see a part of courage from the poses and expressions on Washington's face. Also, the dramatic and luminous light from the sky behind the figures gives that emotional part to the painting as well as more empowerment. The presentation of this painting has a classic style. Washington with his horse is located in the center with figures in the background. It has a luminous composition and its dramatic position. The original measurement of this painting is 3.5 meters high by 3.5 meters wide. The original painting is located in Lansdowne Portrait National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. The story behind this painting is based on the American Revolutionary War, where at that time Washington led the Continental Army.
Auguste Couder is a French painter born in London in 1789. He was a student of Jean-Baptiste Regnault. He joined the Academy of Beaux-Arts in 1839. He was recognized for his great historical paintings. His most recent painting of the burning of Yorktown is a well-known and important presentation at the time of the American War of Independence.
The Siege of Yorktown
In this painting I see the first element is the color tones that this painting has. This painting has earthy tones like brown and cream that capture a military environment. On the other hand we have the red and blue in the part of the uniforms of that time of the military that attracts that contrast but also attracts the gaze of the person when they see all those colors combined gives that feeling of history but also realism in the painting. The next is the element of light. The light and shadows create a surprising depth. On the other hand the people have a very bright lighting focus which makes them look important in the painting and in the back those shadows highlight that part of the drama. Lastly the composition in the painting looks very organized in that way to attract and guide people to see the central part of the painting. While in the arrangement of the figures they create clear focus points along with the use of lines and perspective creates a more attractive scene in the painting.
When I look at this painting I see a lot of emotions, on the faces of the soldiers I see a lot of pressure with anxiety with the tension of battle. Also this painting conveys that part of hope of triumph of a new beginning in history. Its presentation is very formal and organized and classical; it measures about 14 x 17 feet (16 x 19 framed). This work is located at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. History. The story behind this painting is that it depicts the surrender of the British forces at Yorktown in 1781 marking an end to the American Revolutionary War.
Works Cited
“Conservation of a 17 Footer - Siege of Yorktown.” Lowy 1907, 25 November 2006, https://www.lowy1907.com/conservation-of-a-17-footer-siege-of-yorktown/. Accessed 4 March 2025.
“Declaration of Independence.” Architect of the Capitol, https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/declaration-independence. Accessed 4 March 2025.
Fitzgerald, Harrington. “19th-Century Painting of Washington and Rochambeau at Siege of Yorktown Installed at Museum.” Museum of the American Revolution, 7 February 2017, https://www.amrevmuseum.org/press-releases/19th-century-painting-of-washington-and-rochambeau-at-siege-of-yorktown-installed-at-museum. Accessed 4 March 2025.
Miller, Angela L., et al. “5: Art, Revolution, and The New Nation, 1776-1828.” Humanities LibreTexts, https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/American_Encounters%3A_Art_History_and_Cultural_Identity_(Miller_Berlo_Wolf_and_Roberts)/02%3A_The_Old_World_and_the_New-_First_Phases_of_Encounter_1492-1750/05%3A_Art_Revolution_and_The_New_Nation_1776-1828#:~:. Accessed 4 March 2025.
“The Siege of Yorktown.” Museum of the American Revolution, https://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection/the-siege-of-yorktown. Accessed 4 March 2025.
“Washington before Yorktown, 1824, reworked 1825.” National Gallery Art, https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.178141.html#overview. Accessed 16 March 2025.
I am very interested in American history which attracted me towards the Neoclassical style of painting and how this style was used to depict many scenes from the American Revolution. I liked how you were able to compare elements of the paintings that you selected to that of the heroes and gods of Greek mythology, a direct relationship to the discovery of Pompeii. I also wrote about the American Revolution and art in the 1700’s. I learned that although Emanuel Leutze tried to make Washington the Crossing Delaware as factual as possible there were inaccuracies such as the type of boat used, the size of the river, and the time of the day.
ReplyDeleteIt is impressive to see how in-depth you went with this. I learned a lot of new facts and it was really interesting to see a painting by someone that was the first to paint the president George Washington. It was a great detail adding in how while the paintings are based around the American Revolution, they still can be connected to other situations like mythology. There was also a lot of details that you provided with your analysis of the art as itself rather than just the background of who painted them and the story they're portraying.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find appealing about your post is that you were able to keep them all connected through one person. It is also great that you are able to find so much detail about these creations and be able to provide much information and how they are staying connected. What is not so catchy is how informational that it is hard to read or stay reading. This is great relation to the Classical Era because this is when everything that was taught and considered moral became the eye of the law. Fun fact about these paintings is that they were painted in the manifestation of being bought into the rich.
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