The Wizard Of Oz, Frankenstein, The Yellow Bag Of Lays-Era
The Wizard Of Oz, Frankenstein, The Yellow Bag Of Lays-Era
You know we throw that word around around so loosely, classic. "Oh that's a classic!" Somebody knocks over your cup of milk,"*smacks teeth* Classic bro." Or as a active member of the Big-Back Community, my favorite, "I need them Lays Classic, three of them! But the thing is when it comes to the classical era I am now reminded that it means that it is one of the best time periods EVER. The 18th century, also known as the Enlightenment Era, was a time of incredible advancements in both art and science. Welcome to The Sims-onian Museum, with my collection of three creators whose scientific discoveries were captured in art.
Big Ben
Benjamin West’s painting vividly depicts Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite experiment. Created around 1816, it’s uncertain exactly where this painting was made, but given West's career, it's likely to have been created in England where West was based for much of his life. This neoclassical work captures Franklin’s moment of discovery in a dramatic and intense way.
The dark, stormy sky with bright lightning highlights the danger and excitement of Franklin’s work. Franklin is shown calmly holding the kite string, showcasing his bravery and curiosity. This painting emphasizes clarity and heroism, capturing the essence of Enlightenment thinking—using reason and experiment to unlock the secrets of nature. Franklin's experiments with electricity laid the groundwork for modern electrical engineering and have a lasting impact on our daily lives, from powering our homes to driving technological advancements.
BIG EYE (I, like for Isaac)
Sir Godfrey Kneller’s portrait of Isaac Newton presents him as a dignified and thoughtful scholar. Created in 1702, the exact location of this painting's creation is unknown. The detailed rendering of Newton’s attire and his composed, introspective expression reflect his intellectual rigor and immense contributions to physics and mathematics.
This portrait, also in the neoclassical style, exudes a sense of respect and admiration for Newton’s genius. The careful composition and attention to detail highlight the rational and analytical aspects of Newton's character, which are central to his scientific achievements. The painting invites viewers to appreciate the depth of Newton's thought and the monumental impact of his work on modern science. Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation are foundational principles that continue to govern the fields of physics and engineering today.
ED, Ed n Eddy!
James Northcote’s portrait of Edward Jenner is simple yet profound. Created around 1803, the exact location of this painting's creation is unknown. Jenner is depicted with a kind and thoughtful expression, reflecting his compassionate nature and dedication to medical science. The soft lighting and plain background emphasize Jenner’s humility and the significance of his work on vaccination. This neoclassical portrait highlights the importance of scientific discovery in improving public health.
The simplicity of the composition keeps the focus on Jenner, underscoring his humanity and the impact of his contributions. His gentle smile and kind eyes convey a sense of warmth and empathy, making the viewer feel a sense of gratitude for his life-saving work. The painting serves as a reminder of the profound difference one individual can make through dedication and innovation. Jenner’s development of the smallpox vaccine laid the foundation for modern immunology, leading to the eradication of smallpox and the creation of vaccines that protect millions of lives today.
The 18th century was a time where art and science intersected in the most beautiful way. Through these pieces of art, we get a glimpse of the incredible minds that shaped our understanding of the world. Franklin, Newton, and Jenner aren’t just historical figures; they’re legends whose spirits are captured forever in these masterpieces. Their curiosity, intellect, and compassion are things we can all aspire to. So next time you’re scrolling through the museum websites or reading about these icons, take a moment to appreciate the blend of art and science that continues to inspire us today. Looking at these pieces of art, would I like to have them in home? ABSOLUTELY NOT. I don't want these hideous people hanging around my house unless I had kids and I'd put them in the snack closet as a scarecrow tactic. If I was a history teacher I'd have it in my classroom though! I don't think I can relate to it neither, the potraits kind of remind me of different peoples tinder profile pictures.
REFERENCE LINKS
Philadelphia Museum of Art. Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky. By Benjamin West, circa 1816. Philadelphia Museum of Art. https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/57044.
Science Museum Group Collection. Portrait of Isaac Newton. By Sir Godfrey Kneller, circa 1702. Science Museum Group Collection. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co65496/portrait-of-isaac-newton-oil-painting-portrait.
There is a really big triangle that my eye follows. Starting at the key, going down to Benjamin Franklins foot and back up to his gaze or the gaze of the child. Keeping your eye moving around the canvas is important because it helps you notice all the details and soak it all in. The use of color is interesting. The use of contrast is useful in attracting the eye to the foreground. Blues and greys punctuate the back and push the clouds far away while simultaneously indicating a storm. Whereas the blues contrast with the orange/burnt umber cape? Cloth? Almost like a toga. which gives Benjamin Franklin this kind of Aristotelian appeal. The children in the background are a little peachy orange as well. That helps them pop forward and then the bottom third is kind of greyed out to keep focus on Benjamin Franklin. I like this because it is a technically awesome piece with use of color theory. The dynamic posing as well keeps it interesting as well. I can't say the subject matter piques my interest or causes emotion in me. It's cool that good ole Ben is low key looking like Superman. It's kind of funny. Art can be funny and it can be fun.
ReplyDeleteHello Julius,
ReplyDeleteStarting with the intro, it's awesome how fun you make it and it makes me want to keep reading. Your take on the painting by Benjamin West is great, it does show Franklin's bravery holding that key in a thunderstorm, and he is not one bit concerned about it. To add to your post, I found that the experiment was done by Franklin in 1752, which shows how big of a deal it was to be painted that much later.
For the painting of Isaac Newton, I feel like it is such a typical painting. I always see paintings just like this during that time, with the big curly hair. One thing to note is the background and color, it seems to be painted to make sure you are focusing on him, with nothing else going on in the background.
The painting of Jenner does appear to make him seem as an approachable, and intelligent man. From what I have read, he was for sure intelligent.
These paintings are great to see, especially the one of Franklin, but I would not care to own a copy of any of them. Knowing the history behind them all, I think is important. Thank you for sharing this post Julius!