George Washington stands before you in a full-length portrait by Gilbert Stuart. The painting, done in 1796, is known as the Lansdowne portrait because it was a gift to the Marquis of Lansdowne, an English supporter of American independence, from Senator and Mrs. William Bingham of Pennsylvania.Click on the Smithsonian Website (http://www.georgewashington.si.edu/portrait/index.html) and launch the interactive portrait to explore the painting in detail, from three very different vantage points: the symbolic, the biographic, and the artistic. Each filter highlights an element in the portrait and provides unique information and a distinct interpretation.
Choose one detail that interests you and view it from all three vantage points. Then answer the following questions on the blog.
1. What element did you choose? (For example: hand/gesture)
2. a. What is the symbolic meaning?
b. What is the biographic meaning?
c. What is the artistic meaning?
3. In your opinion, why do you think the artist used this detail when painting George Washington? Explain.
1. Clothing
ReplyDelete2a. He was the only delegate in military uniform.
2b. On formal occasions, Washington wore a formal suit.
2b. The right sleeve has a smooth fit that was the fashion of the time while the left sleeve was full.
3. To use a thing that could stand out the most to many people that look at the painting.
I chose the books under the table.
ReplyDeleteSymbolic- The books include General Orders, American Revolution and Constitution, and Bylaws.
Biographic- Washington had little education as a child.
Artistic- The books are tipped over suggesting that Washington used them often.
To show that he had some education and can read.
1.dark clouds
ReplyDelete2 the sword it is a symbolic of a gentleman
1. The element I used was the Hand Gesture.
ReplyDelete2A. They said that the symbolic meant that his hand gesture was a fare well, because in that picture he was dropping out of the office.
2B. They said that he was in the Treaty in 1783, so they said that the hand gesture was a sign that he was in the treaty.
2C. They said that the artistic meaning is he painted the length of him. It said that Washington had a lot of poses for that picture.
3. I think that it meant something important. I think that because back then he was an important person. They also said that he was leaving the office. So maybe he's getting his last fare well before he left the office. That's why I think it's important.
1.hand/gesture
ReplyDelete2.He is surround by the emblems and in the back round there is a storm and is the rainbow is in the back round as a sign.
b.He was the best and was a very good man that had no depressed disappointment. He nearly acts like a hero.
c.The artist focused on his hand that had a mixture of colors and it means that sometimes it wasn't always George that was posing for the picture.
3. I think they did the details to make it look more real and touched up.
1.sword
ReplyDelete2. a.it is a reference to Washington as head of state
b.it is for when he went in war
c.the sword belonged to a Comte de Noailles. a juy how fout in a war with him.
3.for me it looks like he put it in there for detial and to show that he is in war
1. The Sword in his left hand
ReplyDelete2. Symbolic: The sword in his hand is symbolic because it shows he is the head of state.
Having a sword in your hand is " the grand distinguishing mark of a fine Gentleman"
Biographic: Washington was a major militia by age 20, when he was on his first major militia expedition the British entered there territory. The militia had no armed force.
Artistic: The sword in the portrait belonged to Comte de Noailias who fought alongside Washington in the American Revolution. The sword has not been in many paintings. The sword in Mr. Noaillias house is very treasured.
3.I think he used this detail in the painting because it shows that Washington wasn't just a famous celebrity but it shows that he's the leader of the United States and he can fight as well.
1.sword.
ReplyDelete2.A.It symbolized that he was the head of state and a gentlemen.
B.He was a british major during the French and Indian war when he was 20.
c.The sword belonged to a comte de Noailles who he fought with during the revolutionary war,he gave the sword to George for the potrait.
3.To show his miltary carrer and maybe show off, because George fought in the French and Indian and the Revolutionary War.
1.i choose the artistic picture because the hand/gesture, it has different things in the back round.
ReplyDelete2.symbolic means that the interpretation of objects in the picture. biographic means that there are historical events that happen in the picture. artistic means that they used very well detailed in the picture.
3.that George Washington was a important person and the very fist president that the united states ever had.
1.hand/gesture
ReplyDelete2.his stance lends air to the portrait it also means the day in england and europe but also a strength and simplicity fit for a leader of a new republic.
b.he says that there's "no consideration under heaven that i can forsesee shall agian draw me from the walks to a private walk"
c.Washington lacked patients for posing, he used different models to do that because he didnt want to stand for it.
3.it is very detaled and out sanding for people to look at on a everyday life and its very touched up.
#1. I choose the head and face.
ReplyDelete#2a. The symbolic meaning is that his face annouces a good man, sincere, firm, reflecting, and generous.
#2b. Th biographic meaning is that people see his stern, engaging face that reflections of inner virtues.
#2c. The artistic meaning is the way his face is painted is because his wife wanted her portrait done, so his face is faceing left and hers right.
#3 Because they knew it was going to be kept a long time, and it needed to look good!
1. hand and gesture
ReplyDelete2a. Pointing toward future, saying farewell, bestowing good advice for his countrymen, or the recent signing of Jay treaty.
2b. That when he retired he basically looked back on all the accomplishments he has done in his life, and he will be memorable. I think.
2c. That this was one of the best pictures ever recorded of him, because he actually stood still, and that they mostly drew out hands and face then based the rest from imagining the shape and clothing of the body on the portrait.
3. He used great detail, because he was the president. And, it was hard to get him to pose for as long as two hours. So that's why they focused mainly on the face or hands.
1.I chose the gesture and Figure
ReplyDelete2.The artistic mean is that George Washinton lacked pacince for posing for a portrit.
3.for one thing he wad an very inport person. George Washinton was a very Insting man. The artist put so much detail into it to show what made up him
1.Dark clouds
ReplyDelete2.the storm has passed its okay now.
the futer is darker than the past.
Its over know.
he wanted people to talk about it.
I chose the dark clouds in the background window.
ReplyDeleteThe symbolic meaning is that a rainbow in the sky is a sign of storms that have passed. It really means that not all Americans thought they could survive a federal government. The biographic meaning is that Washington wanted dark clouds because of his fears for America's future. The artistic meaning is that Washington has come over his fears and problems.
I think that the artist wanted to express somethings that other people never knew and he did that because I learned a lot from reading one element.
Question 1) I use the head/face for my element
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2)A. He wanted George to look like he was serious so the people will think he is extremely serious about his job. Not saying he wasn't but they wanted him to look that way.
B. Sacred and Divine, also mad him look stern, yet engaging
C. Don't know =(
Question 3.
1. I choose the table leg.
ReplyDelete2. a. i think the table leg stands for war. I think that because the eagels on the leg are holding arows in one of there claw wich means war.
b. I feel it repersents his tast in furnitur.
c.
1. I used his sword.
ReplyDelete2. A. The sword is ceremonial. The symbolic reference is to Washington's head of state.
B. Washington military career began early at age 20. He was already a major Virgina militia. In 1752, on his first major military operation, he told French Troops in the Allegheny River Valley that they had trespassed on land claimed by the British colony of Virgina.
C. The sword in the portrait apperently belonged to Comte de Norlilisa.
3. The artist want to make George Washington look good and he did very well.
1.i chose the books on the floor
ReplyDelete2.a-they symbolize washingtons roles as commander of the american army
b-shows his lack of education when he was little
c-the books are tipped so it means that he used them often
3. to show that he is a good detailed artist
1. I chose the hand gesture.
ReplyDelete2. a. Some people think he is pointing toward the future, some think he saying bye. (leaving office)
b. Washington retired from service saying, "No consideration under heaven that I can foresee shall again draw me from the walks of private life."
c. artist knew he lacked time. each painting session lasting about two hours.
3. I do think he did a very good job. It tells a lot about him leaving office.
1. I Picked a sword
ReplyDelete2. Symbolic: is ceremonial and it was the grand mark of a fine gentleman and head of state
Biographic: He went in the army when he was 20,he told the french that they had traspassed on the land a year later he defeated frenchtroops.
Artistic: the sword belonged to Comte de Noailles.
3. Because if he had a sword he might seem stronger or more powerful.
1. Sword
ReplyDelete2. A It symbolizes that he was a head of state and a gentleman
B. Because the sword is a natural part of the uniform
C. The sword belonged to Comte de Norlilisa
3.The artist wanted to make him look as good as he posibly could
1. I choose his sword.
ReplyDelete2.A The symbolic meaning of the sword means he the head of state.
B.Washington's career began at the age of 20. In the Virginia militia he was already a major. In 1752, on his first major military operation, he told French troops in the Allegheny River Valley that they had trespassed on land claimed by the British colony of Virgina.
C. The sword belonged to Comte de Norlilisa.
3.Since he was in wars they put a sword in the picture to represent his fighting.
1. What element did you choose? (For example: hand/gesture) Books on the floor
ReplyDelete2. a. What is the symbolic meaning?they symbolize Washington's role as commander of the American army, and as president of the constitutional convention of 1787, during the debates over the structure of the new government.
b. What is the biographic meaning? in means he was sensitive about his lack of education as a child.
c. What is the artistic meaning?they are tipped over and mess which gives the look Washington used them often
3. In your opinion, why do you think the artist used this detail when painting George Washington? Explain. because the way he looked had to be presentable and very neat to look nobale and worthy of his role.
1. I chose the sword
ReplyDelete2. It symbolize military
It shows that him in the revolutionary war
It is in the first portraits
4. Because George Washington is uneac.
1. I choose the hang gesture
ReplyDelete2. symbolic: some think he is pointing into the future.
Biographic: Washington is about to retire from government service.
Artistic: Washington usually took a very long time to pose for a picture. Know one noes how many times Washington had to pose for this picture he at least had three sessions.
3. Because the artist knew that Washington would become very famous and known for a long time. So he made it very detailed so Washington would look like how he looked a long time ago.
1.inkwell
ReplyDelete2a It may refer to the making of laws and signed many documents?
2b He composed thousands of letters
2c It may not be a real object
3. He wanted to show that George Washington liked to write.
1. I chose the dark clouds.
ReplyDelete2a. Not all Americans had expected the storm to pass, and didn't think that they would survive under a federal government. That is what the dark clouds symbolized, the "storm" still being in a presence
2b. Washington turned to the dark clouds as a way of expressing his fears for America's future after they fought the Revolutionary War. He felt the nation needed at least 20 years to be stronger, or "bid defiance' to other nations. He thought that it was a responsibility of his to guide the nation through this.
2c. Stuart had surrounded Washington with objects of his public life mostly serving his country.
3. I think he used the dark clouds because he was especially emphasizing the fact that although Washington had hard times, he would always prevail and persevere through it.
1. The Sword!
ReplyDelete2. a. It symbolizes that he is a gentleman, and is also a reference that he is head of state.
b. Washington was in the major Virginia militia, and told the French that they trespassed on land claimed by the British colony of Virginia. No armed clash occurred, but the French decided to stay. These incidents started the French and Indian War.
c. Apparently the sword belonged to Comte De Noailles... who fought beside Washington.
3. The artist was trying to make Washington look like a gentleman, and to show his history in the Revolutionary War.
1. I chose the sword
ReplyDelete2a. It's a reference to Washington as head of state
2b. The sword held in his left hand is ceremonial.
2c. It's a natural part of the military uniform.
3. It shows his bravery as a person
1.i chose books on floor
ReplyDelete2.the books on the floor symbolize Washington's role has the constitution convention of 1787.
3. is biographic meaning is that he did not know how to spell or write well and a a lack of education.
4. the books are leaned against the leg another satand stand a lone
1. What element did you choose? (For example: hand gesture
ReplyDelete2. a. What is the symbolic meaning?
Means that hes pointing towards the future or saying goodbye.
b. What is the biographic meaning?
Hes about to retire from government.
c. What is the artistic meaning?
He lacked time and patience in posing, his hands and face.
3. In your opinion, why do you think the artist used this detail when painting George Washington? Explain.
I think to make it more dramatic, maybe to show that he was retiring or a good artist.
1. What element did you choose?
ReplyDeleteI chose the inkwell
2. a. What is the symbolic meaning?
It means how he signed and approved laws in his lifetime. The watch dog symbolizes the conservative watchful philosifical principal of life
b. What is the biographic meaning?
sybolizes all the letters he has composed.
c. What is the artistic meaning
even though he owned a great amount of silver this was a imaginative item by the artist.
1. I chose the sword.
ReplyDelete2. a. It means head of state and it is ceremonial.
b. It means he had a military career as general for the patriots.
c. It means he is respecting the french for being their ally.
3. He/She wanted the painting to have great meaning and wanted it all to be historically correct.
1. I chose the books under the table.
ReplyDelete2a. The symbolic meaning are the books General Orders, American Revolution, and Constitution and Bylaws. Showing his role as commander of the American army, and being president of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
b. The biographic meaning is that George Washington didn't have a really good education. After his father died when he was 11 he stopped school. And it shows that he studied to get better.
c. The artistic meaning is that the artist tilted the books so that it looks as if he studied and used the books a lot.
3. They used it to show you more information and the personality of George Washington. So that we could know more about him.
1.I chose the books on the floor
ReplyDelete2.a.They symbolize Washington's role as a commander of the American army
b.Washington was sensitive about his lack of formal education.
c.Washington used them often.
3. Probably to give hints for what the first president was about.
1. I chose Washington's sword.
ReplyDelete2. A.The symbolic meaning is that this is ceremonial. It shows that he is a " fine gentleman" and it is a symbolic reference to Washington as head of state.
B. At age 20, Washington was a major in the Virginian militia. A year later he was a colonel.
C. The daughter had something to do with the sword in this painting.
3. I think the artist wanted to make Washington look good.
1. i picked the sword.
ReplyDelete2.
A. to show that he was head of state and the mark of fine gentleman.
B. that he was a british major in the friench and indian war.
C. i don't know.
3. because it makes him look more like a gentleman.
1. books on table.
ReplyDelete2. symbols of Washington's work in the world of ideas and the world of politics
b. they gave Washington support to the proposed Constitution
c. the books have color and charactor
3. to symbolize what kind of person washington was.
1. What element did you choose? (For example: hand/gesture)
ReplyDeletei chose the rainbow
2.
a. What is the symbolic meaning?
purity
b. What is the biographic meaning?
hope
c. What is the artistic meaning?
not on alternate version
3. In your opinion, why do you think the artist used this detail when painting George Washington? Explain
to show happiness and to show that they are pure.