Art and Scientific Discovery in the 1700’s
1700's Art
Around the 1700s is when art changed for the people. It was no longer only for the rich or royalty but was accessible to many. Access to art supplies also became much more common, allowing more and more people be able to express themselves through painting. The ways of the universe also started to reveal itself to humankind. People started to learn about space, and the stars, and even cell structures. This opened up a whole new world for what artists could portray. For instance, before the microscope was invented, a painting of cells would look completely abstract, but with that microscopic understanding, a psychedelic and seemingly random painting of cells became scientific knowledge.
Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky
1816
Benjamin West
While this art piece was not painted during the 1700s, it was depicting one of the most important moments that happened in the 1700s. It shows the iconic time when Ben Franklin got a kite struck by lightning. West recreated this literal story, but in his own way, with the addition of the cherubs. This painting directly shows the scientific exploration that happened during this time. What I like about this painting is the contrast shown in the storm, but also the artistic element. I really find it interesting how it depicts such an important point in time to today's society, but with that extra artistic cherub twist. I think that this piece would best belong in a science museum because of how it is a literal science experiment. While there is not a whole lot of backstory to this specific painting, West, who was entirely self-taught, is known for his historical paintings, which included a variety of expressions and colors to help the audience easily identify the historical event.
Madame Francois Buron
1769
Jacques-Louis David
There are two main things that immediately stick out to me about this painting. The first is the books. There are four books in this painting, showing a desire for knowledge. While the renaissance is widely known for an explosion of the arts and the desire for knowledge, it was only the beginning. This painting shows that continued thirst to know more, and as more time passed, more and more "normal" people learned to read and had access to knowledge. The second thing is that this painting shows a woman reading. This was a huge step for womankind. This period of enlightenment saw an increase in women artists and educated women in general. The main expression I see in this painting is concentration. Madame Buron is obviously concentrating intently on her reading, further showing the desire for knowledge. David also painted a similar portrait of her husband. I think this work would best be shown in a feminist collection, or with other works showing a similar lust for knowledge.
A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrey(in which a lamp is put in place of the sun)
1765
Joseph Wright of Derby
This painting, similar to the previous, and a multitude of others painted during this time, show the strong desire for knowledge, and the awe of science. It shows children and adults alike gazing upon an orrey, which is like a model of the galaxy. The strong light source at the center of the painting creates dramatic shadows and adds a strong contrast of colors. This technique is seen with artists like Caravaggio, but with a little twist from the age of scientific discovery. Most of the time when there was a light source in a painting it was a candle, and a religious scene was depicted. However, in this painting is purely based on science, and the light is coming from a model of the sun. Showing the shift from religion to science, which is one of, if not the biggest shift of this new age of science. This painting depicts a grave scene, not because of a sad tone, but because of the awe and concentration directed at this scientific contraption. I think that this art piece would be well appreciated if it was displayed in a museum that also had an orrey on display.
“‘Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky’ by Benjamin West.” Joy of Museums Virtual Tours, 4 Oct. 2020, joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/philadelphia-museums/benjamin-franklin-drawing-electricity-from-the-sky-by-benjamin-west/.
Sources:
“‘Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky’ by Benjamin West.” Joy of Museums Virtual Tours, 4 Oct. 2020, joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/philadelphia-museums/benjamin-franklin-drawing-electricity-from-the-sky-by-benjamin-west/.
“Portrait of Madame François Buron.” Portrait of Madame François Buron by Jacques Louis David, www.jacqueslouisdavid.net/portrait-of-madame-francois-buron/.
“Wright of Derby, A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/later-europe-and-americas/enlightenment-revolution/a/wright-of-derby-a-philosopher-lecturing-on-the-orrery.
There is no author or information on this source so I did not cite it.
https://www.clevelandart.org/sites/default/files/documents/gallery-card/Scientific_Exploration_1600s-1700s.pdf
Although I never really considered how much of an impact science was to influence on art, I found your blog post very informative, and I really liked how you went further into depth about the topics depiction in works from the 1700s. I also liked how you didn't necessarily stick to only works from the 1700s specifically, distinctively mentioning how the Benjamin Franklin painting was from the 1800s, and going more into detail about how its artistic elements depict the influence of science even years later. Your blog is really detailed, from breaking down the techniques used, as well as explaining each work's history and meaning. We can really see the artist's reflecting the recent scientific discoveries in their works, which was a shift from the period before. Nice Work!
ReplyDeleteIan, I like that you took a different approach to the blog. Your art choices definitely support the scientific influence on art for the classical era. The first painting I feel defines neoclassical as it captures a moment that was historic. It is dramatic a bit in nature but captures that moment perfectly. West representing "Franklin as a (literal) conductor and (figurative) mediator between the heaven and the earth, West captures something crucial about his career." The second painting speaks volumes for women in this era as they began to branch out and read more, learn, and create works of art. Lastly, A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrey(in which a lamp is put in place of the sun) is such a beautiful painting. It gives a baroque feel from the use of tenebrism to create the focal point around the lamp. I love how the artist painted the highlighted faces around the lamp. They each share as different expression. I think it's amazing how using paint can create these life like moments as if capture in a photograph. Wright’s "painting encapsulates in one moment the Enlightenment, a philosophical shift in the eighteenth century away from traditional religious models of the universe and toward an empirical, scientific approach" (Khan Academy)
ReplyDeleteReferences: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/later-europe-and-americas/enlightenment-revolution/a/wright-of-derby-a-philosopher-lecturing-on-the-orrery
http://oldemc.english.ucsb.edu/imprint/warner/protocols/protocols_of_liberty_chapter_3_franklin_electricity.html
Hey Ian, very nice choices for this weeks post. It's pretty neat that there are two cherubs conducting their own experiment in the background for the Benjamin Franklin painting. The illusion of light and shadow is incredible. I also like the progressive painting of Madame Francois Buron. It's nice seeing a woman being admired for her thirst for education. The clothing and the patterns are really intricate. I'm really interested in the model in A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrey, I wonder if it's a heliocentric. The painting also reminds me Baroque art once you mentioned Caravaggio. The illusion of light and shadows really brings the focus on peoples faces. Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteHello Ian, my favorite painting you chose to exhibit for this blog was "Madame Francois Buron" I like that without knowledge of the history of what was going on you would assume its just another portrait painting when in reality it shows significant changes of the societal structure, like women reading and the thirst for knowledge during that time period.
ReplyDelete