Classical Era & the American Revolution
Classical Art & The American Revolution
Today I have picked three pieces of art created by three different artists in the 1700’s that show glimpses of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Each of these pieces take place in the water and display the destruction that can happen at sea in the midst of a war. I found these pieces to be interesting because I had forgotten, or at least it hadn't really occurred to me, that Great Britain and the Colonies were separated by sea. Which inevitably meant that a lot of the battles took place in the waters. Studying different pieces of art made during the Revolutionary War I was surprised to see so many naval battles, even though this completely makes sense! So without further ado…
The Unsuccessful Attack on the Fort on Sullivan’s Island
This painting is a watercolor piece done by Henry Gray in 1776. Henry Gray was a soldier in the American Revolution and fought in the battle displayed above. On June 28th, 1776 Great Britain had decided to attack the Fort on Sullivan Island and establish a more dominant rule over the Southern Colonies. Unsuccessful, as the title of this painting explains, Great Britain’s naval ships were badly damaged and even though they had reached land, they stood no chance against the Fort and retreated.
During the battle Henry Gray had been wounded but managed to survive and shortly after painted his depiction of the battle. Three things stuck out to me in this painting. First, Gray had painted it within the same year of the battle (not a lot of paintings were done this fast). Second, he painted this piece from a view that he wasn’t in during the battle. Third, he used watercolor as his medium, which I don’t recall to be a very popular medium that we see within the Classical Era. Perhaps this is just because watercolor pieces can be harder to maintain over long periods of time?
As far as elements go, I am in love with Gray’s use of colors in this piece, they bring a very balanced feeling to the painting and show us a beautiful day that held the weight of death and victory. I also am very pleased with the distance that he displays with the ships and the details he uses in the masts. Last but not least, I find his explosions and smoke to be very well done and intriguing. Today you can find this piece hanging in the Gibbes Museum Of Art.
Combat De La Surveillante Contre Le Québec
In 1789, French painter Auguste-Louis Rossel painted the battle of Great Britain’s Quebec versus Frances Surveillante that took place on October 6th, 1779 a decade before the French Revolution would start. This painting was commissioned by King Louis XVI in 1786 to honor the French officers that joined the American Revolution. I enjoyed this painting because it was done by the French who played a significant role in the American Revolution. Without their alliance the American Revolution would have looked much different. It excites me to see paintings paying tribute to the French who sacrificed their lives for the Nation of America.
Auguste-Louis Rossel quickly became known for his marvelous naval art and there is no question as to why. The piece of work displayed above says it all, from the way his explosion bursts off the Quebec, to the small patch of blue sky in the distance. His reflections in the water create the movements in the waves. The billowing smoke makes it hard to tell what is cloud and what is smoke, the little men in the water struggle to make it aboard the small boat of men between the two destroyed ships at sea. His use of light and dark illuminate the painting to make it seem like a small candle is being lit on the scene of battle, it adds a satisfying amount of drama and strife.
What intrigues me the most in this piece is the figure to the far right of the painting under the flag. It is a silhouette of some kind, but I can’t tell what. To the far left we see a silhouette of another ship but the figure to the right does not look like a ship to me. It almost looks like an elongated man or angel, maybe it is merely a post in the water or pieces of the ship that have fallen in the sea. Whatever it may be it instills curiosity and a linger of eeriness.
Auguste-Louis Rossel’s painting Combat De La Surveillante Contre Le Québec can be found in the Musée National De La Marine today.
The Close Battle of the Saints
This last painting we will be discussing was made by a British painter, Nicholas Pocock. The painting shows the defeat of the French navy during the Battle of the Saintes that took place near the Dominican waters. It was a battle that lasted from April 9-12th in 1782, leaving the French destroyed and became a very popular battle to tell of and display through art in Britain. The battle added to the peace treaties that would take place in order for the war to come to an end. But, nonetheless was a heavy loss for the French.
Nicholas Pocock became a popular artist to commission for the depiction of this battle and his naval ships. Painting the The Close Battle of Saints in 1782, Pocock used the medium of oil paints to create a picture of realism and drama to the scene. The way he adds detail to his painting even in the shade is breathtaking. It looks like the timing of day could be dusk with the lighting in the clouds. The smoke and crooked masks in the distance show the blow that the French ships had taken in the last couple days. The holes in the sails prove the ongoing fighting that was taking place. Overall this piece gives me a tired feeling. Like the exhaustion you feel after a long quarrel with someone you disagree with. After a time you both become too tired to fight any longer. Someone or something has to give.
Today this painting is hung in the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.
Summary
The paintings we’ve gone over today have been painted by a Colonist, French man, and a British civilian. All different perspectives, places, times, and art styles in the American Revolution. Yet, each of these paintings show different parts of the same story in history. I like to call artists before the widespread use of cameras, photographers of the time. To me each of the paintings above are incredible photos of the past, pictures of the American Revolution through the artist's eyes.
Sources:
Bristol City Council : Museum Collections, http://museums.bristol.gov.uk/details.php?irn=117511.
I almost chose the Henry Grey piece for mine as well because I thought it was a unique portrayal of a battle. You found three pieces that each tell a story! I agree that the smoke is a key detail to all of the pieces. Your summary is well said. I think every artist captured and displayed their pieces incredibly!
ReplyDeleteThese pieces are great! I also almost chose the gray piece for mine as mine was all about the American revolution. I really enjoyed the background you gave to all these pieces as well as the way you described them, awesome job! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOut of all the pieces you chose, I really liked the 3rd painting. It is really fascinating seeing a depiction of a naval battle in these times, I remember learning about the American revolution but it was mostly about the diplomacy involved or what happened on land. This piece beautifully shows the smoke from cannon fire and the now dead ships left floating.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I have never really given a lot of thought to the naval side of the American Revolutionary War either. What's fascinating about it is that Britain was the preeminent naval and colonial power at the time with an empire upon whciih the sun never set. What interesting to me is that, while all three paintings depict battle, the second one, Combat De La Surveillante Contre Le Québec, carries with it the most action. From the explosion to the pitching waves and the oily black smoke blotting out the sky it is a fun and terrible piece.
ReplyDelete