Lecture Notes: American Paintings at the National Gallery

Introduction

• Presenter: Heidi Applegate, independent art historian.
• Focus: American paintings in the National Gallery.
• Acknowledgements to various individuals for contributions to the lecture.

History of the American Collection

• Opening of the Gallery (1941):
  • Initially had 10 American paintings, all portraits from Andrew Mellon's collection.
  • British art influenced Mellon's vision for integrating American art.
  • Collection growth through gifts and purchases, no federal funding used.

Growth of the Collection

• Current Collection:
  • 1,220 American paintings as of now.
  • Significant comparison with other national collections (French, Italian, etc.).
• Recent Additions:
  • 2014: 400 paintings from the Corcoran Gallery of Art added.
  • Corcoran’s collection considered foundational for American art.

Notable Artworks and Artists

• Thomas Cole:
  • "Voyage of Life" series displayed prominently.
  • Discusses his influence and multi-canvas works.
• John Singleton Copley:
  • "Watson and the Shark" analyzed for its historical and social context.
  • Examination of Copley's style before and after moving to London.
• Gilbert Stuart:
  • Known mainly for portraits of George Washington.
  • Emphasis on Stuart's brushwork and expression.

Portraiture and Still Life

• George Catlin:
  • Documented Native American life, self-taught artist.
• Naive/Folk Art:
  • Joshua Johnson – first known professional black artist in America.
  • Edward Hicks and his "Peaceable Kingdom" series.

Landscape Painting

• Hudson River School:
  • Asher Brown Durand, Frederick Edwin Church, and others highlighted.
  • Discussion on how landscapes intertwine with American history and identity.

Modernist Works and Influence

• Winslow Homer:
  • Various works like "Breezing Up" and Civil War themes.
• John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler:
  • Focus on their distinctive styles and contributions to American art.

Genre and Trompe l’oeil

• Genre Painting:
  • William Sidney Mount, Richard Caton Woodville, and George Caleb Bingham's contributions.
• Trompe l'oeil:
  • John Haberle and William Michael Harnett's works analyzed for their illusionism.

Conclusion

• Impact of Corcoran Collection:
  • Enriched the National Gallery's American collections with iconic works.
  • Gallery 71 showcases the impact of merging collections to fill historical gaps.
• Significance of Continuous Expansion:
  • Emphasizes the importance of evolving collections to reflect new stories and historical narratives.

The lecture highlighted the diversity and depth of the American art collection at the National Gallery, showcasing its development and the various ways it represents American history and culture through art.