The first painting I have chosen for this blog post is The American School by Matthew Pratt created in 1765. Matthew Pratt was an American artist from Philadelphia in the 18th Century. He like many artists at that time came from a middle class background and was fortunate enough to attend an apprenticeship under his uncle. He went on to gain prominence mainly painting portraits.
The painting depicts subjects creating their own works. It appears they are at work, collaborating together on a larger piece. This is revealing of the role of artists during this era. Artists were commonly middle class. Many were wealthy enough to be educated and trained while still working for the upper classes often commissioned to create portraits. The painter Matthew Pratt is his own subject in this work, sat at the easel with famous painter Benjamin West depicted at the far left. This further creates the scene of Neoclassical art as Matthew combines the ideals of artist as a profession while revealing he himself has finally reached a status of being able to create his own self portrait.
Paintings such as The American School create a sense of political commentary that I can't fully understand as someone who did not experience living through the time of rising middle class and the creation of professions similar to what we see today in America. Without that political context the painting comes off lifeless and somewhat dull especially after spending time indulging in Baroque and Rococo art that feels much more full of life.
The next piece I have chosen is Mademoiselle de Carmargo Dancing by Nicolas Lancret finished in 1730 in Paris.
Mademoiselle de Carmargo Dancing was an early Rococo painting. The Rococo style was an evolution of the Italian Baroque style and its influences can be seen in this painting. The theatrics of the woman is captured in her movements. The distinct differences are seen in the choice of its depiction of this woman who is clearly an aristocrat. The pastels in the florals of her dress to convey innocence and wealth. Another Rococo stylistic technique can be seen in the light brushwork throughout the painting and it helps create the shallow background seen in many Rococo pieces.
As previously stated this piece is an earlier Rococo painting. Rococo having been influenced by the Baroque era is something I find fascinating and a revelation of the changing political landscape of Europe at the time. France was not an early adopter of the the Baroque art style and that may be due to the turmoil and instability of France at the time. By the 1730s and the creation of the Rococo period we see France as a world power with colonial aspirations and it having become a leader of scientific discovery and cultural influence. Rococo was created in Paris and is a reflection of the sheer wealth the nation had accumulated. It also is very telling of the political landscape. France's largest enemy was no longer the Hapsburgs but instead itself. Paintings such as Mademoiselle de Carmargo Dancing commonly depicted lower class servants and entertainers such as those seen in this piece. The ruling class viewed their subjects as wealth to be collected as their greed continued inflate. The Rococo era is truly the precursor and the subtle foreshadowing of what is to come to France before the end of the century; revolution.
My final painting I chose another Rococo piece. Anne Fairfax as a Shepherdess by Philippe Mercier. This is a French and German Rococo piece created in 1750. The distinction of French and German is important the artist Philippe Mercier is of French descent but hails from Brandenburg, Prussia. Prussia is a lifeline of monarchial rule throughout the French revolution. Of course as this painting was finished decades prior it helps create the image of the influence of France on other European powers at this time.
This piece bares its Rococo style starkly. The pastel pink, yellows, blues and greens saturate most of the painting. Fair skinned and rosy cheek Anne Fairfax is American born and married to George Washington's brother Lawerence. The use of sheep is an interesting twist on the common Rococo theme of painting subject's pets. This twist is a bit deeper than the light hearted, humorous, depiction that I believe it was meant to portray but instead a satire of religious art. Aristocrat Anne Fairfax depicted as a shepherd is meant to convey her infinite wisdom leading those lower class colonial subjects along with her as if they themselves are the sheep. These not so subtle ideas of how to aristocracy viewed and portrayed themselves reveals why there was the push back in the rise of the Neoclassical era. A return of morality and seriousness to art and its depictions of scenes was to come swiftly and denounce the mockery of religious ideals.
One of my favorite aspects of this piece is the political juxtaposition between all those involved. The subject is an American aristocrat being painted by a Prussian artist who was classically trained in Paris using a French art style. Each of these three nations have come together to create a somewhat of an odd take of Rococo art. Prussia, a militaristic force, heightens my conclusion of the ruling class that differentiates Anne from just a mere shepherdess to that of a powerful political figure. The French Rococo influence is lost in someways as their is a lack of eloquence that can be seen in paintings like Mademoiselle de Carmago Dancing due to the American colony's ruggedness.
Personally I enjoy the humorous lightheartedness of this painting. The use of curvature in the dress to create such flow and elegance while being somewhat racy in how the dress holds to Fairfax's body connects me to her youthfulness. It feels as though Anne Fairfax will be young, beautiful, and rich forever. That is a feeling we might have all experienced or wished to have experienced at some point in our lives.
Works Cited
Anne Fairfax as a Shepherdess Art UK. Fairfax House
France, 1600-1800 The Met Museum.
Mademoiselle de Carmargo Dancing Art UK. The Wallace Collection
Matthew Pratt National Gallery of Art.
Mrs. Anne Fairfax Washington Lee Find-A-Grave Memorial.
Philippe Mercier Art UK.
The American School The Met Museum.
Aidan, beautiful pieces of art that you chose for this weeks blog post. i enjoyed al the pieces of work , the way you explained the backstory of each piece. i really enjoyed tis post, great work!
ReplyDeleteWhat appeals to me the most is the fact that three different nations were involved in the creation of the Anne Fairfax painting. The use of pastels and curvature make it very clear that the painting aligns with the theme of Rococo artwork. I wonder how an aristocratic woman placed in this different sort of setting may have reinforced or critiqued notions of nobility during the time. Great job.
ReplyDelete