What Would Artists of the American Revolution Try To Tell Through Their Art?
Most artists during the American Revolution would have pretty contradictory feelings about the war; in other words, some artists would support the war, while others hated it. The art made during the American Revolution reflected the drawbacks and benefits of the war. Some common values and messages artists would try to tell through their art are these:
- Pragmatism- a practical way of approaching situations or solving problems.
- Utilitarianism- the belief that the value of an action or thing is determined by its usefulness.
- Materialism- the belief that anything of physical matter is the only reality -- means that anything and everything can be explained via physical terms.
- Egalitarianism- the belief in equal political, social, economic, civil rights for all people.
- Moderation- opposing extreme or radical views and measures; mostly shown in politics or religion.
Sources:
- http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2012/1/12.01.01.x.html
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6-cljY1xi0&safety_mode=true&safe=active&persist_safety_mode=1
- http://www.thefreedictionary.com
- http://www.nohum.k12.ca.us/tah/TAH5Topics/Art%20of%20the%20American%20Revolution.pdf
Compared With 2012...
Artists would try to express many things through their artwork. Mostly, it would be about their thoughts and feelings. Reasons would often vary as to what messages they create or why they would create art in the first place. Some would be subjective and say what they think of current events or influential people, like the president or various celebrities. Artists would intentionally make their message so obvious or so vague that almost no one could figure it out. Messages would be sometimes to spark a revolution or rebellion against society, or they would try to inspire other would-be artists to do the same thing, to spread the message around. It seems like a picture is worth a thousand word after all.
Sources;
- http://www.edu.pe.ca/rural/class_webs/art/meaning.htm
- http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_we_make_art