Hiawatha

Hiawatha

Augustus Saint-Guadens (American)

1874

Agustus Saint-Guadens is a sculptor who has sculpted many great works of art, manyof  which are displayed in famous locations such as: Madison Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and The Boston Commons.He also is the designer of the twenty-dollar "double eagle" gold coin/piece (considered the most beautiful America coin ever issued, as well as designing the Ten Dollar "Indian Head" gold eagle (coin).  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Saint-Gaudens)

This Sculpture, Hiawatha was inspired from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Poem: The Song of Hiawatha, and depicts a Chippewa chief, pondering while sitting on a rock, leaning up against a tree, with his bow and quivers nearby. (http://www.metmuseum.org /toah/hd/astg/ho_2001.641.htm). 

Saint-Gaudens uses Marble to create this spectacular sculpture. He uses many textures, but the most prominent are visible on Hiawatha's hair and feathers, the rock and plants beneath him, and the tree that he is leaning on.

To distinguish Hiawatha's hair from his face, Saint-Guadens makes a hair texture by "scraping." This similar technique is also visible on the feathers in his hair and the fletching (feathers) on his arrows. 

For the rock underneath Hiawatha, it looks like Saint-Guadens used a small chipping tool, or a pointed tool to make small indents in the marble, to give it a "rocky" (looks like coral) appearance.

For the tree, Saint Guadens not only makes the tree look like a tree, but because of his technique, he is able to illustrate the exact type of tree. The Birch Tree that Hiawatha is leaning on, is textured so well that the view is able to depict the loose bark and "ringy" texture of the Birch tree.

It is evident that Augustus Saint-Guadens is an incredible sculptor and uses textures extremely well to make his carvings "animated" and have the impression of reality.

Note: Awesome Zoom Feature  (Click for link)

Step on Board

"Step On Board"

Fern Cunningham (American)

1999

Fern Cunningham is an Art teacher at the Park School in Brookline, Ma, and also is a sculptor.  Focusing on African-American history in her sculptures, "Step on Board" is an inspirational sculpture of Harriet Tubman marching forward, "gaze set firmly forward toward the goal of freedom for herself and the group of slaves who follow her." (www.salemstate.edu). It symbolizes the power of the goal of freedom and leadership. This is shown through the placement and hand positioning of Tubman and her foot "in front of"/"leading" the sculpture (leadership), and the sense of unity of characters in the back (all have the goal of freedom). In addition, the facial expressions and "body language" of the characters portrays perseverance, hardship, and also leadership, all of which the slaves and Tubman had to "endure." The artist does an amazing job of illustrating the story of Harriet Tubman and the slaves and makes the viewer inspired to be a leader like Harriet Tubman.

Similar Paintings (Present and Past)

Andy Roddick

Quwatha Valentine (American)

2006-2007

Lawn Tennis

Constant Mayer (French)

1883

Similarities:

These two paintings are over 100 years apart, yet they have the same theme/topic; tennis. In both, we see people in the action of playing tennis. We see part (or all) of the tennis court, and we see players hitting in the action of hitting the tennis ball. Something very interesting is that both Andy Roddick and the woman who is hitting the ball in Lawn Tenns both have their knees in the same position. Their knees are bent at almost the same degree. Additionally, many of the people in Lawn Tennis have white hats similar to Andy Roddick's. Both authors use darks and lights to show perspective and dimension.

Differences:

In Andy Roddick (the first) the focus is on one player (Andy), while in Lawn Tennis (the second) the emphasis is mainly on the game of tennis itself. The mood is also different. In the first, there is a strong sense of concentration, focus, and intensity; while in the second, there is a "lighter" feeling, where tennis is like a get together, and a social event. There are many people just chatting, eating and drinking, watching, and relaxing.

Artists' Visions Similarities:

I believe that both of the artists are trying to make a statement about tennis, and are trying to depict certain aspects of the game. For example, Quwatha Valentine, illustrates the competitive game of tennis by illustrating one of the best players. However, in Lawn Tennis, Constant Mayer is depicting the game of tennis as a social, and fun even, where everyone can participate. 

The main aspect of these paintings that connects them is there theme of tennis.

Family

The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit

John Singer Sargent (American/Italian)

1882

This painting by John Singer sargent is not of an entire family, but of the four daughters of the family. This painting's depicts family in a strange way. All of the daughters are "isolated"; aloof from each other. However, at the same time, we (the viewer) have a strong sense of connection. Mr. Sargent may be trying to show that even if a family is not "together," they are still a family. In addition, it may be showing that each member of the family is not the "same," but  there is still a sense of unity.

John Singer Sargent uses many of the principles of design to communicate these points. He utilizes the principle of emphasis by using placement and grouping. The placement of the daughters makes each daughter stand-out "individually." Also by grouping the two daughters in the back does show some unity. Singer also uses contrast to make the daughters stand-out. In the back, the darkness makes the two girls stand out, and the darkness of the girl on the left makes the "difference" between the two girls. In addition, the contrasts of colors of the daughters' shirts shows their "differences" (in preferences).  There is also the principle of balance in this painting (asymmetry). The two daughters together are in the middle, and on each side of them, there is one other daughter. This balance creates the sense of family and unity because balance is a symbol that can represent family.

Although this painting does not depict a mother and father, there is a family within a family when the children are pictured, and they in fact may be a microcosm or representation of the "complete" family.