Part 1
EMBARKATION OF THE PILGRIMS by Robert W. Weir
The painting shows the pilgrims who were on the deck of the speedwell ship in the July 22, 1620 where they went to search for their religious freedom. The artist is trying to show how the group was grieved and thinking about what they were about to do. The painting depicts the feeling of graveness because the group was not certain about what they were going to do, but they were hopeful God could protect them. This was depicted by the message “God with Us” on the upper left of the corner. Weir representation of the event was motivated from Nathaniel Morton’s New-England memorial of 1669. The painting was finished in July 1843, and was presented at West Point where it was viewed by the corps of Cadets at the US military academy. Then, the paint was taken to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and was hung in the capital. The artist is successful in communicating his message in this painting because there is a clear connection between the artwork’s content and its context.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by John Trumbull
The picture depicts the happy moments when the first draft of the declaration of independence was given to the second continental congress in June 28, 1776. The artist demonstrates how the delegates were happy to receive the draft. The picture portrays the feeling of contentment after receiving the draft of the declaration of independence. Trumbull depiction of the event was obtained by creating a series of documentaries that depict the events during the American Revolution. The painting was hung for the public to see at the American Academy of fine arts in October 5, 1818. Then, it was displayed in various rooms during the exhibition in New York, Boston and Philadelphia in 1819. The artist was successful in communicating his message in this picture because it depicts how delegates reacted to the event. However, there is no clear connection between the artwork’s content, and its context because when he was creating the paint he left behind the authoritative images who were supposed to be included and instead painted delegates who did not attend the event.
BAPTISM OF POCAHONTAS by John Gadsby Chapman
The painting portrays baptism ceremony of the Pocahontas the daughter of chief Powhatan. She was given the name Rebecca in the Anglican Church. The artist displays a variety of emotions during this ceremony. There are mixed feelings among the people who attended the event, for example her uncle Opachisco turns entirely away from the ceremony, which depicts dissatisfaction. This mix of feeling could be due to the sadness and misfortune of the artist during the time of painting. Chapman obtained the commission for the painting in 1837, and gave the name Pocahontas as its title. The painting was delivered and hung in the Capital in November 1840. The painting was shaped by the events of the colonial period in America, and the success of his painting led to the commission for this painting, which is the best painting. The presence of the officiating minister with white cloth is a good illustration that the artist was successful in communicating his message of the baptism ceremony. However, there is no clear connection between the artwork’s content and its context because of the mix feelings that are reflected in the baptism ceremony.
SURRENDER OF LORD CORNWALLIS by John Trumbull
This painting illustrates how Lord Cornwallis gave in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol. The main theme of the painting is to show how the British army surrendered at Yorktown during 1781. The artist demonstrates mix feelings during this event. Cornwallis’s people were not happy to surrender the fight because they hoped to conquer whereas Benjamin Lincoln and his people were happy during the event. The event that shaped this painting is the blue sky that was full of dark clouds and wrecked cannon. Meanwhile, the American Revolution and sketches that he made of persons made this painting a success. This painting was commissioned in January 1817, and was exhibited in New York in late 1820. The painting was hung in the Capitol Rotunda in 1826.The artist is successful in communicating his message in this painting because there is a clear connection between the artwork’s content and its context.
Part 2
WILLIAM ALLEN from Ohio JAMES A. GARFIELD-Ohio
William Allen was born in Edenton by Revolutionary war officer in December 27, 1803. At the age of 16, he travelled with his sister to Ohio where he wished to make his future. He studied law at the age of 21, and was admitted to the bar. Allen skill in debate attracted the Jackson democrats who nominated him to be a congressional candidate. Although he was a republican, he won and served in the House of Representatives for one year. He also favored the annexation of Texas and became an anti-war democrat. Allen made a great contribution to politics and economy of Ohio, which make him a good leader.
James Garfield was the last American president to be born in a log cabin in November 19, 1931. He was brought up in poverty and tried to become a farmer. Despite the poverty, he managed to complete his studies at Williams College. Later in 1859, he was elected to the Ohio Senate as a Republican. He studied law, became a potent figure in the union army during the civil war, and worked at the House of Representatives between 1863 and 1880. He worked in the military affairs committee and became a professional in public finance. He supported the backing money with gold and was elected to the senate and later as president. Although Garfield faced political challenges, he served the citizens of Ohio well, which make him a good leader.
Bibliography
Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building | Serving Congress and the Supreme Court, preserving America's Capitol, and inspiring memorable experiences. "Baptism of Pocahontas | Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building." Accessed September 24, 2013. http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/historic-rotunda-paintings/baptism-pocahontas.
Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building | Serving Congress and the Supreme Court, preserving America's Capitol, and inspiring memorable experiences. "James A. Garfield | Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building." Accessed September 24, 2013. http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/national-statuary-hall-collection/james-garfield.
Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building | Serving Congress and the Supreme Court, preserving America's Capitol, and inspiring memorable experiences. "William Allen | Architect of the Capitol | U.S. Capitol Building." Accessed September 24, 2013. http://www.aoc.gov/capitol-hill/national-statuary-hall-collection/william-allen.
