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International Art Treasures Web Magazine June 2004 |
Becoming a Nation
Huntsville Museum of Art
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Gilbert Stuart and John Singleton Copley are on display in the touring exhibition Becoming a Nation: Americana from the Diplomatic Receptions Rooms, U.S. Department of State. "This is an exhibition not to be missed," according to the Chief Curator Peter J. Baldaia, who adds, "All of the objects on view are beautiful to behold. But more importantly, they tell a story that chronicles how our nation progressed from colonial status to the first great modern democracy, expanded across the vast interior to the Pacific Coast, and consolidated our ideals to emerge as a world power."
Gilbert Stuart, the noted American portraitist, employed detailed mixing to generate an accurate reflection of flesh in his work. George Washington's cheeks are a superb example of Stuart's mastery of his craft. Stuart will be forever remembered for his numerous depictions of the first American President, George Washington. Three different styles are named for the one subject, Vaughan, Lansdowne and Athenaeum. It is the latter that was used for the image on the United States Dollar Bill. Benjamin West once described the portraitist accurately "[Stuart] nails the face to the canvas". Stuart was a leader in the neoclassic period particularly for paying keen attention to the subject's skin. Charles Willson Peale, from the family credited with establishing Philadelphia as a cultural center, is unsurprisingly included in this demonstration of Americana through colonial times. Among his subjects were George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Peale named his children after artists and three followed in his footsteps and became known for their creativity Raphaelle (1774-1825), Rembrandt (1778-1860) and Titian Ramsay II (1799-1885). His paintings were said to be so real that while visiting Peale's home, George Washington mistakenly tipped his hat to Peale's portrait of two of his sons. The self-taught John Singleton Copley is considered to be the greatest American painter of the 18th Century. Copley eventually moved to England and this had a remarkable affect on his style. His American works were noted for their realistic observation of his subjects, his English works were far more ornate. Copley is the subject of a feature article here. Paul Revere is included in the exhibition as a silversmith. Visitors will be able to view a silver bowl made by the noted master craftsman.
Founding FathersJames Woods, Brian Dennehy, Burt Reynolds and Michael York all participated in the creation of a special film series focusing on the people behind the legends as America struggled to break free of England and be reborn as a nation unto herself.
Each file in the series will be shown on a Thursday evening in the Museum Great Hall beginning at 6:30 pm. Rebels With Cause: June 3 Taking Liberties: June 10 You Say You Want a Revolution: June 24 A Healthy Constitution: July 8
The exhibition has been on tour since April 2003 and has traveled through Oregon, Georgia, California, Florida and Ohio making this fine collection available to many to rediscover history and art of the developing country. Schedule: Huntsville Museum of Art May 21 - July 18, 2004 Sioux City Art Center, August 13 - October 10, 2004 Portland Museum of Art November 4 2004 - January 2, 2005 |
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