mfa work: american art - Mr. E's Forum: 2006-2007

Date: Feb 2, 2007

mfa work: american art

Date: Feb 2, 2007

Not quite finished with putting the work in context, because thats pretty hard.

thought i'd take the job of putting a place to post this stuff....

Date: Feb 4, 2007

1) Gorham Manufacturing Company

Rhode Island (Providence)

Active 1865-1961

(Punch Bowl and Ladle, about 1885- silver)

The Gorham Manufacturing Company was founded in Providence, Rhode Island by Jabez Gorham who was a craftsman and was partners with Henry L. Webster. Their products consisted mostly of spoons of coin silver. They also made thimbles, combs, jewelry, and other small things. In 1842 there was a tariff that blockaded the importation of silverware from the outside of the United States. In 1847, Jabez retired and handed over his buisness to his son, John Gorham, and he became the head of the company. He introduced mechanized production methods and then expanded the product line. In 1852 he toured many of Europe’s silver workshops. It gave him a chance to speak with individual specialists, and look for highly skilled foreign workmen to train his American workers. Gorham was very influential during the time when silver manufacturing was big in America. In 1865 a charter was granted by the Rhode Island legislature by the name of "Gorham Manufacturing Company". The White House used Gorham silver services during administrations. Mary Todd Lincoln actually bought one of their silverware pieces. The George W. Bush family chose Gorham’s Chantilly as the flatware service on Air Force One. The silverware and products made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company produce a sense of beauty and elegance. A person wrote in the London Magazine of Art, "Gorham would not be satisfied unless it produced every year or two new patterns, nearly all of which are beautiful, and of which they will produce a complete service of all articles for table use from a salt-spoon to a soup ladle". The significance of the punch bowl and the ladle shows how beautiful they were able to make anything. They didn’t only for their big and important things to be beautiful and made with care, but for everything, even down to the smallest ladle, to fit the wants and desires of the customer.

2) Frank Weston Benson

American, 1862-1951

(Calm Morning, 1904) oil on canvas

Frank Weston Benson was an American Impressionist artist. He was a member of the Ten American Painters. He actually studied at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1879 and then later became an instructor there. His paintings often are of his daughters outdoors at his summer home in Maine, which is the significance of "Calm Morning". The picture shows his daughters and another boy peacefully sitting in a boat while playing with the water below them. The paintings by Frank Weston Benson, and more specifically this one, portray relaxing moments of the closest people to him. He portrays them in a way that he wants to remember them; happy and just relaxing without worries. When painting he was able to show whatever side he wanted, and he was able to make any moment seem precious and joyful, just like he did in "Calm Morning".

3) Thomas Birch

American (born in England), 1779-1851

(Engagement Between the "United States" and the "Macedonian," 1813) oil on canvas

This painting had to do with the capture of H.B.M. frigate Macedonian by the US. It was one of the most famous American achievements of the War of 1812. The United States was under Captain Stephen Decatur and was looking for British shipping to harass. He found and engaged the Macedonian near the Canary Islands. The Macedonian was forced to surrender after the US fought a good fight. Decatur then brought the ship back to New York. This whole incident raised national pride and confidence in the Navy. It also eventually led to Congress allowing the building of more ships for the war and other things. Thomas Birch portrayed this very well in his painting by showing the US throwing a full broadside at the Macedonian. The artistic significance is definitely the way he showed the US pride and is one of Birch’s best-known paintings.

4) John Singer Sargent

American, 1856-1925

(Mrs. Charles E. Inches [Louise Pomeroy], 1887) oil on canvas

John Singer Sargent was the most successful painter of his time. He was also a landscape painter and a watercolorist. He was American but lived most of his life in Europe. During his career he painted about 900 oil paintings, one of which was "Mrs. Charles E. Inches". It is just simply of picture of a women sitting down with a cranberry colored dress on, looking off to the side. John Singer Sargent seemed to draw many pictures of other families. Many of his pictures are of men’s wives, couples daughter, a man and his wife, or families together. Another picture was not quite the same and it was of a man "screaming for hell". Many of his pictures were of more than one person, but this one was interesting because the woman was by herself and she was sitting up very straight with good posture, and almost had a sense of superiority over others. John Singer Sargent seemed to have a very good variety of paintings, because he even went from painting Theodore Roosevelt to painting a woman who sat alone, while also painting families.

5) Childe Hassam

American, 1859-1935

(Boston Common at Twilight, about 1885-1886) oil on canvas

Childe Hassam was an American Impressionist painter. He was a member of the Boston Art Club. He went to Paris in 1886 to study figure drawing and painting. He was also a member of the Ten American Painters. The painting is a beautiful view of Boston Common at night when there is only a little bit of light, but with the light glowing on the snow on the ground it is enough to see around you. The painting includes some people which adds to the effect because it shows them just standing in the light. The picture does not portray Boston Common to be one of the most comfortable places on a winter day, but it just releases a sense of "hominess". His paintings are usually of landscapes and painted with flickering light. Many are of cities and show the strong influence of the 19th century French painting. He was famous for painting his view of cities and landscapes and did so in "Boston Common at Twilight".

Date: Feb 5, 2007

Brandi wrote:

The George W. Bush family chose Gorham’s Chantilly as the flatware service on Air Force One.

So THAT'S what President Bush uses for flatware while flying... fascinating!

Date: Feb 6, 2007

^ more to come later, by the way

Date: Feb 6, 2007

Alex Zarecki

1. “The Slate, Leave Your Order Here” (1895) by John Haberle (1856-1933).

Born in New Haven, CT, John Haberle is famous for using the “trompe l'oeil” technique. This term means “trick the eye” in French, and describes how an artist can make a two-dimensional surface appear three-dimensional (I.e. a fake hallway or window). Haberle’s piece seems at first to be exactly what its name says it is - a slate on which one could write with the dangling piece of chalk (I was tricked when the thing caught my eye). Haberle’s sense of humor is shown quite well through this piece, as well as his amazing skill as an artist. Historically this painting is significant because it shows how Americans were still connected to Europe, given the roots of perspective from the Renaissance.

2. “Winnowing Grain” (1873) by Eastman Johnson (1824-1906).

Johnson was born in Maine prior to the Civil War, and in the 1870s (after the war was over), some of his works focused on returning to “the normal life.” “Winnowing Grain” is one of the best examples, simply displaying a man working with his grain (the simplicity was what struck me). For many, adjusting after the war was difficult, as is the case with most conflicts of such caliber, but the death of a president and the fact that the war was solely within the nation must have made living in peace seem quite difficult. Johnson captured that readjustment very well in “Winnowing Grain.”

3. “Charles Stewart, Sixth Marquess of Londonderry, Carrying the Great Sword of State at the Coronation of King Edward VII, August 1902 and Mr. W. C. Beaumont, His Page on that Occasion” (1904) by John Singer Sargent (1856-1925).

Sargent was an American artist who spent much of his life in Europe studying in such places as Italy, Germany, and France. The size of this portrait was what stuck me, given that it spanned nearly the entire wall vertically. Clearly Sargent wanted to display the grandeur of “Charles Stewart” by making such a large painting (compared to his other works at least).

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This was a surprisingly tough assignment, so let me know about any weak aspect(s) of my work.

Thanks!

Date: Feb 7, 2007

To those in need of seeing their works of art again here is the link http://www.mfa.org/index.asp and form there click collection and look under American Art. There search for ur painter of artworks name to get it. Just some helpful insight for u all. Btw it is a tough assignment and requires much thought.

Date: Feb 7, 2007

AP US History 1 Curt J. SantosArt Forum Assignment 4-310 2/6/07 A 1. Engagement Between the “Constitution” and the “Guierriere”, 1813 Thomas Birch- American (born in England) 1779-1851 The picture depicts a scene of the U.S. ship the Constitution defeating the British ship the Guierriere in a naval battle during the War of 1812. This battle took place off the coast of Nova Scotia in 1812. The painting itself is very nice because it depicts the boats and the ocean greatly. There is oil on the canvas which makes the painting stand out real well. Thomas Birch was born in England but lived in America since he was young. When he was around his early thirties he experienced the War of 1812 first hand and with a spirit of patriotism he began to paint paintings of random scenes of battle. After the battle of the two boats, Birch interviewed or actually questioned the men about the battle and seeing the ship standing there and the British ship sinking he drew this brilliant picture to support his patriotic cause. 2. Engagement Between the “United States” and the Macedonian”, 1813 Thomas Birch- American (born in England) 1779-1851 The painting depicts the battle of a American ship the “United States” and the British ship the “Macedonian”. This was one of the many naval battles during the War of 1812 which the painter experienced first hand. The painting stands out because it shows exactly the way these boats would fight back then and it is remarkable the way the detail of the boats is shown in the painting. Birch also witnessed this boat coming back into harbor after its vicious fight against the British ship in the Atlantic. He questioned many of the sailors about what happened and looking at the ship drew a picture depicting what he believed happened in the battle. Birch being very patriotic shows the American ship standing out boldly, making it look much more powerful. 3. South Sea Whale Fishing I, 1831Robert Salmon- British 1775-1845 (Active in the U.S. 1828-1842) This painting depicts some American whaling vessels leaving port and on their journey for whales. The painting shows a couple of vessels leaving on this journey for riches or disaster. The painting shows the greatness of the old whaling vessels and how the water actually looked back in the painter’s time which is much different from our time. Robert Salmon was a British man who came to America around 1828 and lived there for about 30 years. In this time period whaling had been very big in America along many ports. Salmon loved the sight of the ports and decided to show his love for the scenery and drew a picture depicting a harbor and a few ships leaving off for their journey. The amazing thing was that he actually witnessed these boats back then and knew exactly what he was drawing. 4. Washington at Dorchester Heights, 1806Gilbert Stuart- American, 1755-1828 This painting depicts George Washington during the Revolutionary War when he served as the general of the Virginian troops. He would later become general of all the American troops but until then he served as a commander. Here he is pictured with his white horse (seen in many other pictures with him) and he seems to be standing triumphantly. Stuart who lived at this time frame was totally for independence and seen Washington as a great man. Stuart had often done portraits of famous people in American history and in this case he painted a picture of Washington during the war. 5. Paul Revere, 1768John Singleton Copely, American 1738-1815

This painting is that of Paul Revere, a Massachusetts silversmith, who is most famous for attempting to warn everyone about the invasion of the British forces. Many did not know that Revere was actually captured and one of his friends had actually managed to reach the destination point of Revere. Other than that he was well known for his belief in independence. Singleton who was a witness of this time was able to paint a picture of Revere before his ride. In the painting, Singleton was able to put a piece of silver which was Revere’s occupation. It seems that he was actually at work in this picture which makes it look even better. ( in our history book)

Yeh Paul Revere does look like Jack Black lol.

Date: Feb 7, 2007

John Singleton CopleyAmerican 1778-1815“Paul Revere 1768” 1768 was a big year for both John Copley and Paul Revere. They were both in their 30’s but couldn’t have been more different. Revere was deeply political and 100% Whig while Copley wanted only to be neutral and was not interested in politics. In his paintings, clothing, fabrics, and other goods that were shown were more important. Copley lavished equal attention on all parts of his work of art. His skill at depicting materials played a major role in the way he constructed each painting. In this painting, Revere is wearing an elaborate vest with gold buttons. The bare sleeve makes a political statement. He is also sporting a symbol of his country’s freedom because there was supposed to be no linen in America unless it was imported. Copley signed the portrait in letters so minuscule that hardly anyone could read them. Revere has a solid, ominous face. This shows the confrontation between the two men.

Date: Feb 7, 2007

1. Tomb Effigy of Elizabeth Boott Duveneck marble sculpture; 1894 Frank Duveneck This was a copy made for Elizabeth's father,Francis Boott, who saw the original in a Florence, Italy cemetary. The orginial was a copper monument created by Duveneck to commemorate his late wife, and Boott was so taken with it that he asked Duveneck to make him one in marble, which he donated to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in the hopes that Elizabeth's son and all of her friends might be able to appreciate it. (I cannot believe I found something on this piece so quick.

suckas)2. Caritas oil on canvas; 1894-95 Abbot Handerson Thayer (here's where my luck ran out) Thayer's themes were full of religious history and seemed to display an understanding of women's changing role in society. His other works depict women with angel's wings. In Caritas, a mother is dressed in a Roman toga, her hair braided in a crown much like a goddess. She spreads her arms in a gesture of protection over two small children, presumably her own. This theme shows that Thayer understood the changing place of women as the protectors and nurturing matriarches of their family. 3. Queensborough Bridge photograph, 1936 this is a photograph of the Queensbourough Bridge in Long Island City, Queens New York. It is taken from the walkway on the bridge, and features two huge smokestacks prominent against the Manhattan skyline. The black and white photograph makes the city look dark and hard, reflecting the hard times of the Great Depression. The smoke stacks do not pour forth any smoke. 4. Engagement Between the Constitution and the Guerriere oil on canvas, 1813 Thomas Birch Birch was the first maritime painter, and started the trend of portraits of ships that has become so traditional in American art. This piece comes from a collection of paintings that Birch did of actual battels fought during the War of 1812. These paintings promoted pride in the American navy, which was winning great battles against the English navy, presumably the strongest in the world. These paintings helped to fuel patriotism, and were an easy meduim to promote the new nation through. 5. Washington At Dorchester Heights oil on panel, 1806 Gilbert Stuart This portrait was commissioned to commemorate the American seizure of Dorchester Heights, a fort held by the English during the American Revolution. Washington is depicted as a regal figure, standing even taller than his horse. This might have been an exaggeration, meant to praise Washington and give him the sort of larger-than-life look that went along with his reputation. Washington had become a national hero after the Revolution, and the portrait reflects the artist's views of the future President.

Date: Feb 7, 2007

Selection 1: Passion Flowers and Hummingbirds-Martin Johnson Heade American 1819-1904
I don't know how much historical content this painting has, but I found it very interesting and a beautiful painting. I feel that Martin may have had some dark times in his past, but things are starting to brighten up. I feel this way because the background is very dark and the flowers and hummingbirds are brighten and stick out more. The Panic of 1819 started the time Heade was born, so maybe he was showing that things got better as his life went on.

Selection 2: Mrs. Charles E. Inches [Louise Pomeroy]-John Singer Sargent 1887. This is an oil painting that caught my eye because of the way the women carried herself. She was definately from an upper class family with lots of wealth. John Singer was a very successful painter, and was probably paid to portray someone's wife or daughter. He usually painted families, so this woman must have been particularly special

I'm still working on it Mr. E, if i don't finish by this period I'll go to a friends house tonight so I can use a computer.

Date: Feb 8, 2007

(cont.)

4. “Charles River and Beacon Hill” (about 1892) by Childe Hassam (1859-1935).

Hassam was born in Boston and grew up during a time of great change, especially in the cities (e.g. Civil War, Industrialization, Progressivism). In this painting the artist captures a snapshot of his hometown while it is still “youthful,” or at least before it becomes a massive urban center. The fact that the Boston shown through Hassam’s work is nothing like what we know Boston to be now makes “Charles River and Beacon Hill” historically significant regarding the city’s past.

5. “Boston Common at Twilight” (1885-86) by Childe Hassam (1859-1935).

Another work by Hassam, “Boston Common at Twilight” caught my eye due to the fact that what I first dismissed to be a dull painting of “ol’ stuff” turned out to be quite beautiful and captivating upon further inspection. The artist applied French artists’ focus on modern women and cities to Boston. The old-fashioned buildings seen were then new, and the serene park had been but a field years before. In this sense Hassam fulfilled his intensions. Again, to be able to look back in time and see what people then saw as important and new is what makes both (perhaps more) of Hassam’s paintings worthwhile.

Date: Feb 8, 2007

Selection 3: Calm Morning- Frank Weston Benson 1904.
This is an oil panting of what looks to be three children in a canoe fishing. I was interested by this picture because I wondered why they were all alone and why there were two other boats in the background. After researching about Benson, I found that most of his paintings were of his daughters, which could be them in this painting. This picture is very relaxing as well as his other artworks are to make people feel joyful.

Selection 4: Caritas- Abott Handerson Thayer 1894
This is a painting of a woman who looks to be protecting two children. Thayer's art is mainly all religious and depicted women as growing stronger. This could represent the way women's roles have changed throughout history

Selection 5: South Sea Whale Fishing- Robert Salmon 1831
This painting shows big boat vessels probably going out to start their voyage. Whaling was very big at this time, and Salmon does a good job showing the greatness of the industry by making the vessels look strong and graceful at the same time.

Sorry it's not muccch

Date: Feb 15, 2007

1 red tree yellow sky (1952) by Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986). This is an oil painting with an illustration of a yellow tree and red tree. This well-known abstract painter was a very private person that would rarely associate herself with critics. To conduct one of her many goals O’Keeffe created beautiful landscape and nature in paintings to fill space in the most beautiful way.

2 Thomas Birch American (born in England), 1779-1851 (Engagement Between the "United States" and the "Macedonian," 1813)
The capturing of H.B.M frigate Macedonian was the main reason of the painting. The US continuously looked for British ships to harass and wreak havoc upon. The surrender of the Macedonian raised national pride and confidence with in the Navy. Thomas Birch is a very artistic painter, who provided the story with in

more to come.......

Date: Feb 15, 2007

Abbott Handerson Thayer-Caritas
Abbott Thayer was an individual who stood apart from his generation because of his unique style and his way of presenting his subjects. He expressed contemporary ideals of virtue, beauty, and truth. His paintings were overwhelmingly of women. Thayer idealized his women, usually giving them wings which made them timeless monuments to femininity. Thayer reveled in the closeness of his family and idealized women and children in a way that few painters have done before or since. In his painting “Caritas”, it looks like the mother is reaching her arms out to protect her children. Thayer also used methods that were surprisingly unorthodox such as mixing dirt into the paint or using a broom instead of a brush to lessen the sense of stiffness in a newly finished wet painting. He admired the quality of Renaissance art and sought to achieve the same spirituality in his own paintings of women and children. His work was personal and a close reading of his art and biography reveals that the painting was a therapeutic experience for him.

Date: Feb 16, 2007

I couldn’t find any information on European perspectives on the Boxer Rebellion, so instead I decided to summarize the entire situation and how the revolt affected the Chinese. Basically, the British wants China and in 1839 the first Opium war broke out fought between Great Britain and the Qing Empire in China from 1839 to 1842. with the aim of forcing China to import British Britain wanted China to import their Opium. Since opium is a drug, the Chinese eventually got addicted. The British took advantage of this and snatched a small island from the Chinese called Hong Kong. The United Kingdom forced the Chinese to have a base there. Britain started taking bits of China and China was not strong enough to kick the British out. As a result to the Qing Government’s weakness, other countries including the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Japan began to take control. The Qing Dynasty was forced to sign a number of treaties known as the “unequal treaties”. The treaties the Chinese were forced to abide by were in fact unfair. Foreigners began to obtain more special privileges than the Chinese citizens and there were several accounts in which foreigners committed crimes and were let off without punishments. As a result, by the late 1800s-1900 an anti-foreigner attitude towards Europeans began to spread. These feelings increasingly resulted in civil disobedience. The Boxer Rebellion began when a Chinese Cult known as the Righteous Harmony Society began to stand in revolt against the treaties and foreigners. They were nicknamed the “boxers” in English because they practiced martial arts. The “Boxers” were greatly feared because of their great “Boxer Rebellion” which was extremely violent. Many foreigners were captured, tortured, and then killed. However, the “Boxers” didn’t only want to exterminate foreigners, but they also wanted to “de-westernize” themselves. The rebels broke railroad tracks, cut down telephone wires, etc. A multinational force, called the Eight-Nation Alliance, joined together in order attack Pi King and they ultimately win. These countries sent their troops by train to defend against the “boxers”… including about 75 French, 75 Russian, 75 British, 60 American, 40 Italian, 30 Japanese, 50 German, 30 Autrichian. 2,000 marines would later come and many more. They attacked the city and rescued a few foreigners who were victimized by the “Boxers”. This League of Nations later forces China to pay damages up to 333 million dollars. A great feeling of national resentment began to stir within china because their own government could not defend them against foreigners. Not only did they lose the dispute, but also they were forced to pay 333 million dollars worth of damage. The Chinese government was weakened so much that they would later have a revolt in 1911 that ends dynasty rule. However an increasing need for modernization began to grow as well which also helped turn the dynasty into the establishment of the Republic of China. The “Boxers” didn’t only harm foreigners living in China, but they also hurt their own people. 48 Catholic missionaries and 18,000 Chinese Catholics were murdered along with 222 Chinese Eastern Orthodox Christians and 182 Protestant missionaries and 500 Chinese Protestants.

Date: Feb 16, 2007

sorry my post was all mushed together. i meant to post it with 5 paragraphs... but whenever i post something on here it squishes everything together.