American Art Project

American Art Project

Part 1 – U.S. Capital Historic Rotunda Paintings

Baptism of Pocahontas
John Gadsby Chapman^[1]

John Gadsby Chapman’s painting of the baptism of Pocahontas portrays notable reverence for God through the sacrament of baptism, but with chaos and tension in the periphery shown through the different reactions from the settlers and Indians. This painting accurately reflects the variety emotions felt by both races at a time when the two races were determining whether they could coexist. This was likely amplified during the time of the painting’s commission in 1839 when Americans had demonstrated their intolerance for the Indian race with the nullification of Indian laws and customs, and ultimately with the Indian Removal Act in 1830. These 19th century political acts likely influenced Chapman as the faces and postures of the colonists in the painting appear both interested but distant or distracted – which would not have been the case in the 1600’s. A soldier with a spear in the background illustrates the dominance and mistrust that the colonists would have felt over the Indians, while Pocahontas’ mother and uncle are not facing the ceremony illustrating disdain over the cruel treatment and near annihilation of the Indian race from the actions of the U.S. government in the 1830’s. Despite the tensions, respect for the holy act of baptism is evident by highlighting the priest and Pocahontas in white, illustrating the widespread Christianity present at the time of the baptism and the time of the painting. Chapman accurately communicates both the sanctity of the baptism and the stress and mistrust between the races in the content of the painting, but with a more white-dominant tone inspired by the 1839 climate.

Surrender of General Burgoyne
John Trumbull^[2]

John Trumbull’s “Surrender of General Burgoyne” demonstrates American desire for civility toward British troops just following a series of American victories in 1777 that led to this surrender. Despite the oppressive treatment from the British and the bloody battles during the revolutionary war, the American citizens still had respect for their European origin but more importantly considered themselves equal and independent from them. The painting shows the surrender scene as tranquil with a clearing sky, perhaps illustrating the hope of American victory and an end to the war.  At the time of the paintings commission in 1821 and subsequent display in 1826, the U.S. was enjoying greater respect globally because of the victory over the British in the war of 1812. This likely influenced Trumbull to show that the British and United States had reached a time when they no longer need to fight, and could be equal and civilized toward each other. During the same period under the leadership of John Marshall, the U.S. Supreme Court had also begun to show its authority over challenging political issues that may also have influenced Trumbull to show the U.S. as more intellectual versus brutal and militaristic. To be accurate the painting should have included some percentage of black soldiers to represent the racial mix that actually fought, but likely influenced by the 1820’s tone of white supremacy and possibly to avoid the introduction of controversy, only white soldiers are shown.  Trumbull accurately shows the United States as a confident military and intellectual power in this painting and other than the omission of black soldiers, accurately portrays the painting to the climate of the U.S. from the depicted surrender to the time of the paintings commission.

Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto
William H. Powell^[3]

William H. Powell’s painting “Discovery of the Mississippi by De Soto” depicts De Soto’s 1541 discovery of the Mississippi river and beautifully characterizes the cultural collision that occurred during the founding of America. It illustrates the pride of the American Indians, but by their expressions suggests their uneasiness about the strange explorers. It shows the advancement of the Europeans and their establishment of Christianity but foreshadows the conflict that would be inevitable with the merging cultures. The painting suggests that the Europeans introduced advanced technology and culture to America and by sheer numbers were superior to the natives. It portrays a scene of impending conflict rather than coexistence. Just prior to the time of the commission and display of the painting (1853 and 1855 respectively), the U.S. experienced aggressive western migration and the creation of new states. It is likely that Powell was influenced by a sense that the western migration was both inevitable and unstoppable by the manner he shows the advancing Spaniards coming in from the left side of the painting and seemingly spill out onto the open area to the right (west). The painting captures both the essence of the early founding of America and the conviction of the those discovering the land, and definitely has influence from the successful settlement of western America during the mid-1800’s.  

Embarkation of the Pilgrims
Robert W. Weir^[4]

“Embarkation of the Pilgrims”, painted by Robert W. Weir, illustrates the humble origin of the Northern Colonies in America that began with prayer and deep reflection prior to their journey across the Atlantic. Weir represented the somber and God-fearing persona of the Puritans well with William Bradford in the center holding the bible and all of the others gathered in prayer. He foreshadows the work and danger ahead with the armor and tools in the foreground, but offsets that with the rainbow on the horizon to indicated the promise of the new world ahead. During the early 19th century, the U.S. experienced a tremendous increase in evangelism and reform that certainly would have influenced Weir in 1843 as he created this painting for display the same year. The religious reform and revivals of the 19th century likely influenced the less formal prayer setting in the painting, which is much different from the disciplined and church-centered puritan practices of the time. The rising women’s rights movements occurring at the time of the commission may also have influenced Weir to represent the woman nearest to the rainbow in very bright colors as an indication of the liberation that was looming ahead of 1843. This painting reflects the puritan’s God-directed journey to America and reinforces their religious commitment. Their facial expressions accurately show both their personal risk and their trust in God to deliver them. It is a beautiful painting with only minor influence from the time of the commission.