Introduction
Different art pieces convey unique idea of the artist and aims to address the viewer through the visual representation of artistic image. However, the interpretation of the piece of art can vary significantly among the viewers. This phenomenon stems from the different factors, like personal vision, set of values, perception of art piece, cultural background, knowledge, and tons of other individual indicators. During the present research the piece of art that has to be analyzed is Study for The Apotheosis of Washington in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol Building created by Constantino Brumidi, the painter with diverse cultural background that combines Greek, Italian, and American roots.
The artist used the oil painting method. While wandering around the American Art Museum, this painting intrigued me. Unlike other paintings, this art piece is painted on circular canvas and the characters are placed through the boarder lines of the canvas as well as in the center of the painting. The most interesting part of this piece was that the several characters in the paintings are the representatives of typical American upper class of the 18th century. Since this painting looks similar to the paintings of classic myths, I did not expect to see American people on the canvas. Through this painting, I like to conclude that this art piece is trying to convey the greatness of the discovery of the United States of America. As aforementioned, the painting looks very similar to the classic myths. By using the myths of Greek and Roman mythology as lens, it is possible to imply that this piece illustrates a crucial part of the American history by putting it into the mythological framework.
Description
The figures illustrated in the center of the rim play crucial part in the art piece and represent a crucial moment of the U.S. history. Overall, very center of the rim is occupied by the George Washington who sits in the chair surrounded by heavenly maidens. The figures surrounding the rim depict six different scenes that have certain symbolism to it and relate to the George Washington in the center. The entire style of the art piece relates to the Greek mythology, as this ancient culture managed to personify their gods and in some instances make their rules god-alike. It is possible to assume that Constantino Brumidi used the symbolism of Greek and Roman mythology in order to attach great importance to the beginning of the American history. Greek and Roman mythology tends to equip their gods with both divine and human characteristics, which makes this framework unique.
Analysis
It is important to begin the analysis from the center of the art piece. Here, George Washington is sitting in the center of the picture surrounded by two females. It is possible to claim that the President occupies the part in the center, as the Zeus or Jupiter did in the Greek and Roman mythology. Both gods were the allfathers of the entire world and the new pantheon of gods in the myths (Hard 36). Washington was the forefather of the American nation and, therefore, he occupies the most important part in the painting. In some instances, Zeus was surrounded by nymphs, who are the minor nature deities usually representing nature itself (Hard 15). In the picture, Washington is surrounded by females in the upper part that can relate to the spirits that helped him to gain success in the U.S. To the left of the President it is possible to see a female who holds the book of law and who can be the Greek goddess of justice, Dike. In the mythology Dike was the patron of moral order and fair judgment (Hard 12). While she is usually depicted with the scales and blindfolded, in the picture she holds the book of law. Such illustration can be attributed to the legal status of Washington as the first legitimate president of the U.S. It can also symbolize the characteristics of Washington as the fair president.
The most important illustrations of the Greek myths are the six scenes located circularly around the rim. It is possible to speculate that the scenes represent the spheres of life and are attributed to Washington and his actions. Right down in the painting it is possible to see a goddess that casts away the crowd. It is possible to see American flag and eagle as the most vivid symbols of the U.S. The woman is probably Victoria, who was the goddess of victory in Roman mythology (Rose 37). While Victoria is not usually depicted with the weapon, the painter depicted her with the sword that could symbolize the constant conflict with Britain or the indigenous people.
One of the strongest metaphors in the American culture is represented in the top of the paining. It is possible to see the travelers and a Greek god Hermes who is leading them. In the U.S. culture, Americans are usually described as the travelers due to the entire history of the United States. The artist wanted to show that the Americans came to the country from different countries and only the patronage of certain deity managed to unite them together. In Greek myths, Hermes is the god that helped travelers, he also represented the boundaries and transitions, trade, as well as thieves and crossing the border (Hard 64). The illustration of Hermes in the paining is symbolic, as the U.S. underwent major processes of transitions changes in order to become one nation. Its inhabitants had to travel around the world to finally discover it and make America a home for many nations.
In the down right corner it is possible to notice the people who harvest the crops led by Demeter, who was the goddess of harvest, fruitfulness, and fertility (Hard 48). It can be linked to the multiple lands that fed the Americans with fruits, vegetables, and grains since the beginning of time. Sometimes, Demeter is thought to be the goddess of cycles of life and death and as the entire paining is constructed in the form of cycle, this illustration is self-explanatory. While going to the top, the viewer can see a group of people who are occupied with work in certain crafts guided by Hephaestus, who was the patron of crafts, fire, and artisans (Rose 26). The association here is quite simple, as the Americans are hardworking nation that fostered industrialization and technical development. The nation managed to progress thanking to hard work and the talent of simple working people, which is represented in the scene.
Top left corner of the painting is occupied by Poseidon depicted traditionally on the horse in the sea and accompanied by several companions. It is possible to notice the ship behind the group with the Poseidon, which could represent the transitional and moving force taking the country to the future. Poseidon was the god of the sea and the patron of travelers and seamen, which in this case possibly represent the fact that the U.S. was discovered by Columbus who came by sea. Finally, the last scene in the painting, which is situated in the left lower corner shows the gathering of the academics and Athena who was a patron of science, wisdom, and literature in Greek mythology (Rose 31). This scene symbolizes the scientific progress and the eagerness of inquiry in the U.S. citizens. As Athena was also the patron of arts, the scene contains the illustration of the people who play musical instruments.
Overall, it is also important to mention the relation of each scene to the center. In Greek and Roman mythologies, each of the depicted gods relate to Zeus in terms of familial relations. For instance, Athena and Hephaestus are Zeus’ children; Poseidon and Demeter are his sister and brother (Rose 49). Only Nike, or Victoria in Roman myth, does not have such relation to Zeus, yet she is always represented as a deity in Greek mythology, not as the goddess with the same status as, for example Athena or Hera (Hard 71). The familial relation points to the Washington’s credibility as the president and his crucial role in the history of the United States. Possibly, the artist wanted to show how the entire art work relates to the achievements of the first president and his period in office.
Evaluation
The entire discussion was surrounded around the parallels between the Greek mythology and the American history, specifically its initial formation. The painter illustrates five elements or spheres that are the most important fields for the nation. The artist puts the first president in the center of the work, which clearly symbolizes his essential role in the formation and development of the U.S. By providing the illustration of Greek gods, the artist aimed to emphasize the grandiosity and importance of the first steps made by the nation. The paining assigns the characteristics of divinity to the president and the five areas that symbolize development and progress. The circular form of the work emphasizes the circle of everything in nature. This circulation is guarded by nymphs and other godly creatures that guide the U.S. into the future.
It is not customary to illustrate the American history with the help of Greek symbolism, but the painter decided to implement such steps to reveal how important the beginning may be for the development of the nation. Moreover, the paining shows that the core values and cultural traditions were based during this period in the American history, which makes it even more important for the future generations. The Greek mythology is particularly symbolic and rich in metaphors that it provides an ideal basis to serve as the lens for the researcher. Greek as well as Roman myths are full of deep interconnections and relations with each other that provide an interesting and creative tool for the analysis of the art works and its links to the U.S. history.
Conclusion
In order to conclude the study, it is possible to have a glimpse at the painting one more time. The things that seemed weird during the first look, like Washington in his time-inappropriate cloths or the ship, now is perceived as normal because the meaning of these illustration is quite clear now. At this point it is possible to see that Washington is the allfather of the entire nation, as his efforts as well as the hard work of many Americans before us were responsible for the formation and development of the strong nation that still promoted progress and innovations. It is possible to claim that the painting represents life in its cyclic form and its dynamics that do not change from generation to generation.
Works Cited
Hard, Robin. The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology. London: Routledge, 2004. Print.
Rose, H. A Handbook of Greek Mythology: Including Its Extension to Rome. London: Routledge, 1991. Print.
