Like other luminists, Jasper Francis Cropsey was interested in promoting the beauty of nature and exploring lands that are apart of the western expansion during the mid 19th century. For example, in his painting Eagle Cliff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, Cropsey illustrates an eye appealing background. Throughout these paintings, artists during the luminist movement used lavish landscapes and marvelous skylines to display that there were brighter days and fresh starts to life in the new western states of the United States.
In this painting, Eagle Cliff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, Cropsey goes into great detail with the nature aspects of this piece of art, which was made with oil on canvas. This scene is depiction of a moment in the late afternoon on farm in New Hampshire. Since the trees and grass are both green, we as viewers can infer that it is late summer. We can also infer this from the condition of plants in the garden. This farm is owned by a family. This is true because of the small child and lady standing at the door of the cabin. We as viewers can also get a good idea of the geography and location of the piece of artwork, based off of details in the background of this painting. Obviously, this scene takes place in the mountains based off the landscape of the background. Another inference is that the people are wearing long sleeved shirts and pants in Summer months. Based on the what farmers are doing and the scenes in the foreground of this painting, we get a good idea what this farm family does. On the side near the cabin, we see a small garden. Near the two men and the dog, we see two large trees freshly cut down by then men. To the right of the house we see a fenced in pasture with cows inside of it. There are also goats grazing beside the garden. Based on the vegetables in the garden, the chopped down trees, and the livestock in the pasture, we can infer that the family of farmers who lived in the log cabin were self sufficient. We as viewers also get a good idea of farm objects and tools that would be present on a farm in the 19th Century. There is an old axe laid against the cabin beside a handmade workbench. The fence that surrounds the garden on the left is made out of smaller tree stumps and limbs. The family positioned the farm in a valley between mountains, as well as behind the boulders on the left and the right of the painting, for protection.
Without knowing the location of the scene beforehand, how could a viewer tell whether this was a farm in the north or the south? There are no slaves depicted in this painting, proving that this scene is most likely in the north. This scene was painted in 1858, and at the time, slavery was still legal. Slavery was also dominant in the south during this time, however, many farmers in the north were against it. Instead of slaves, farmers used child labor and tenant farmers as their labor force. An example of this in the painting is the two people watching over the goats in the middle of the scene that look like teenagers. Here is an example of what a New Hampshire farm’s labor force looked like in the 19th Century.
Luminism developed in the United States during the mid 1800’s. This art technique is characterized by effects of light in landscapes, poetic atmosphere, often sublime, through the use of aerial perspective, and a hiding of visible brushstrokes. It is related to, and sometimes refers to impressionism. Jasper Francis Cropsey conveys all of these techniques in his painting, Eagle Cliff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire. Luminism is an art period that flourished in the United States only and lasted for about 20 to 30 years. From 1850 to 1870, artists such as Fitz Hugh Lane, John F. Kinsett, Martin J. Heade, Frederick E. Church, and of course, Jasper Francis Cropsey, painted vast landscapes across the country. This painting style became very popular during this time because it promoted western expansion. Aside from Cropsey’s painting, Eagle Cliff, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, most painting created during the luministic period were of the west. Here is an example: Albert Bierstadt’s painting in 1868, Among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.
With tensions brewing between the northern and southern states of the US over slavery, states rights, and economy. Plantation owners and politicians of the south argued and bickered with abolitionists, factory owners, and politicians of the north over these issues. For some, these were problems they did not want to fight. The west provided people like these a place to start new lives away from the tension. Luministic paintings placed scenic images into the minds of people, showing them that a new life with breathtaking scenery was possible without ever leaving the United States.
By 1840, 7 million Americans, more than 40% of the population at the time, had moved west exploring the newest addition of the United States and starting new lives. As migrants from the original colonies flooded west, all with different talents, bringing their skill set with them. Miners excelled in California during the Gold Rush and artists grew in popularity from their paintings that illustrated what the west was like.
Luminism in the United States during the mid 1800s was one of the key factors that opened many American’s eyes to western expansion. Vivid images, like those illustrated by Jasper Francis Cropsey, demonstrate to viewers of today how important nature and detail in painting were during the 19th century.
Works Cited
http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/kl/luminism.html http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/artist-info.1191.html?artobj_artistId=1191&pageNumber=1
http://www.countriesquest.com/north_america/usa/people/family_life/19th-century_families.htm
http://sectionhiker.com/eagle-cliff-bushwhack/
http://www.historynet.com/westward-expansion
No comments:
Post a Comment