Exhibit:

Death and Rebirth in the American Spirit

Preview of images

Judith Sargent Murray
Thunder Storm on Narragansett Bay
The Return of Rip Van Winkle

Part of Group:

Thiel College ENG 235 Sp24

 This gallery presents a thought-provoking selection of portraits, images, and other visual works of art that represent the death and rebirth of human legacies, nature, literary movements, cultures, ways of life, and other significant, core characteristics that have defined American history and American literature. Works displaying events at the time or looking back on the events that have forced the death of one component of the American way of life and the rebirth of it in a different form from the days of Columbus to the early 20th century shall be included here. These visual works of art will also be heavily tied to American writers who have seen and attempted to comprehend these transitions within the country's history through their literary works.

Images in this Exhibit

Portrait of Mrs. John Stevens (Judith Sargent, later Mrs. John Murray)
Judith Sargent Murray

In this portrait from 1772, a young eighteen-year-old Judith Sargent Murray is shown with a rather stoic or contemplative expression in this detailed painting. From this work, we see the beginning of the lifelong journey in which Murray pioneers for the start of a revolutionary set of women's rights in American society. Namely, Judith Murray is, in the American context, a pioneer for women's intellectual freedom and an advocate for the ability of women to be as intellectually competent as men. In this portrait and through her works, particularly On the Equality of the Sexes, one...
Thunder Storm on Narragansett Bay
Thunder Storm on Narragansett Bay

In this painting of hefty moods, one can see that there are some young boys walking away from a shore with small sailboats whilst a lightning storm approaches. However, this work of art draws a deeper meaning from its connection with life and nature. From this portrait, one may notice the inevitability of the storm as much as the nonchalant, peaceful dispositions of the walking boys. It seems, from this intriguing point of view, that Heade's painting tells the observer a great message about embracing the inevitability of death and one's peaceful rebirth among the cycles of nature forever....
The Return of Rip Van Winkle
The Return of Rip Van Winkle

In Quidor's painting of a significant plot point of Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle, one can see among its colors and clusters of figures that the protagonist, Rip Van Winkle, is confidently and loudly attempting to explain to the town mob that he is the same man who was last seen a bit more youthful 20 years ago. In the background, a sign with a picture of George Washington painted somewhat sloppily over an image of King George is cleverly integrated; Rip seems to grapple with the confusion of his fellow townsfolk and boldly tries to reestablish his sense of belonging and way...