Docent in Training - Research, Notes, Interpretation

Feb 21, 2019 Class.

Hello again.

Ever since the first human picked up a stick of charcoal and drew on a rock, artists have recorded for posterity what was happening in their world during their time. The art at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (ACMAA) gives insight into what was happening in America in the last two centuries.

Chauvet Cave  (France) 32,000 years ago

This week we met in the library room of the Amon Carter to discuss our assignment of defining a piece of art not on display. I thought we were only going to discuss our research and notes so all would have them for their collection. However, it was a cross between that and interpretation.

There will not be a lengthy write up of each presentation but I will include links that you may use if you are interested in the art or artist. This is all new stuff so enjoy! Before I get into all of that I want to mention that I met with my mentor Subie to learn how to best use the library for research. Since my piece was "Ball Play of the Dakota on the St Peters River in Winter," I asked her to show me research on Seth Eastman. She showed me the mother lode, folders that have articles on all or almost all of the artist in the museum. The folder on Eastman even has photographs of some of the works I had researched for my presentation. Thank you Subie for your time.

Now on to this weeks class:

Wrapped Oranges - 1889

William McCloskey (1859-1941)

Ross presented the Trompe L'oeil "Wrapped Oranges" by William Mccloskey.

His wonderful description of this painting really made you want to reach in and grab one of the juicy jewels.

Find out more about William's collaboration with his very, very talented wife Alberta here William and Alberta









I could not find a portrait of Alberta but here is one of William.

Ease 1887

Pat presented another Trompe L'oeil artist William Harnett. This is the same artist that painted "Attention Company!" interpreted by Morganna in another week.

This work depicts a gentleman's library showcasing what was important to him. It was commissioned by Mr. James Abbe, a paper manufacturer and newspaper publisher, thus the envelope in the center.

William Michael Harnett (1848-1892)

For more on Ease see here Ease


For more on Harnett see here William Harnett

Oregon City on the Willamette River  1850

John Mix Stanley (1814-1872)

Suzanne took us across the country for an artist-explorers work, "Oregon city on the Willamette River."  John Mix Stanley traveled from New York to Hawaii making him an explorer indeed. He had a most interesting life but was snakebit because twice his paintings were destroyed by fire. Once at the Smithsonian and once at P. T. Barnum's museum.





To learn more about the very interesting Stanley read here
John Mix Stanley













We stayed in the West with Suzi presenting Thomas Moran's painting "Cliffs of Green River." Reading the copy of her notes on this subject awes me on how she managed to describe for us this painting and how Thomas Moran may have felt about this area. Great work on Suzi's part.

Cliffs of Green River - 1874

Thomas Moran (1837-1926)

Thomas Moran will give you a bit more insight into Mr. Moran and how his work helped create our national parks. Mr. Moran so loved these cliffs he painted them many times.

Bill gave us a very apt description of "Marion Crossing the Peedee" by William Tylee Ranney. Although Brigadier General Francis Marion was not a striking figure, he was very brave and wonderful with militiamen. He was named the Swamp Fox and his work helped the revolution beyond measure.

William Tylee Ranney (1813-1851)

William Tylee Ranney was a very important painter known for his depictions of Western life, sporting scenery, and historical subjects.

William Ranney will give you a bit more insight into Ranney.

Francis Marion will certainly give you more insight into Marion.

Marion Crossing the Peedee - 1778

Paul Howard Manship (1885-1966)

In 1914 Paul Manship made these two beautiful sculptures to adorn the ends of his mantle. Beth introduced us to the sculptures and Manship who became a major force in what we now call the Art Deco movement. As with most sculptures, there is more than one copy.

Indian Hunter and Pronghorn Antelope - 1914

Find out more about Manship here Paul Manship.














Indian Hunter will give you a bit more insight into the sculptures.










To my thinking, the most beautiful flag in the world is the United States flag. When I saw that Julie was giving an interpretation of Childe Hassam's "Flags on the Waldorf", I was thrilled because his impressionist rendition of our flag is magnificent. There was an exhibition of flags during WWI although this one predates that exhibit. Check out Hassam here Hassam and the art here
flags.

Childe Hassam (1859-1935)

Flags on the Waldorf - 1916

Nancy gave us a very lively interpretation of a sculpture by Henry Kirke Brown, "Filatrice".
Brown was the first artist to cast bronze sculptures in the United States. Although the subject Filatrice is from ancient Italian mythology the artist is American making it American art.

Filatrice - After 1850

Henry Kirke Brown (1814-1866)

More on this lovely sculpture here Filatrice






















About Henry Kirke Brown here
Brown




















Last but certainly not least was Morganna with an interpretation of "Alice Vanderbilt Shepard" by John Singer Sergeant. An introduction to Sergeant is an introduction to one of the best portrait painters ever. Alice Vanderbilt was a beautiful child that had a very interesting life, mostly against her father's wishes.

John Singer Sergeant (1856-1925)

Read about Sergeant here: Sergeant





and more about the very lovely Alice here: Alice

Alice Vanderbilt Shepard - 1888

We do not have a class this week so I will be using my time to study even more and to pick out about 18 works I wish to do for my final interpretation.

So until next time;

Warmly,

Caroline