November 22, 2013
Thomas Sully: Painted Performance
Location: Milwaukee Art Museum
About The Exhibition
The exhibition consisted of a collection of portrait paintings crafted by the artist Thomas Sully. Sully was one of nineteenth-century America’s most prolific artists, painting over twenty-three hundred works during his career. Many of his works consisted of portraiture, yet some encompassed themes of theatre, literature, and even fairy tales. The exhibition offers a new look at an old American master. Both Sully’s portraits and subject pictures reveal his talents as well as his understanding of the world around him.
Reflections
In seeing the Thomas Sully: Painted Performance exhibition, I was able to gaze in to the lives of those past. Each painting captivated and embodied a unique, individual persona, exclusive to the person being depicted. Everything was carefully and deliberately chosen and portrayed in a distinctive way that expressed each individual. This body of works would be a great example to show and educate a class of students. Although most if not all of these paintings were commissioned, Sully was able to pay attention to fine details, which is what made him such a profound artist. He was able to set up his compositions in such a way that the viewer was able to see more than just the face of an individual, they were able to see in to the life of that individual and understand who they are. There were so many paintings in this exhibition, all of which told their own unique and detailed story.
An Interesting Work Of Art
Cinderella At The Kitchen Fire - By: Thomas Sully
At first glance, a young female is resting on the floor playing with a cat. She looks tired, her clothes look ratty and dirty. In the background, two girls are getting ready for an occasion as they are draped in beautiful dresses, fixing their hair. Although the girl placed on the floor does not seem to be going, she is not sour. She has a smile on her face and seems rather content in her situation. Upon reading the title, the viewer realizes the young girl in the foregroung is Cinderella. She is taking a break from her chores as she plays with the cate before her while her stepsister are preparing for the royal ball. The scene is set moments before the arival of the Fairy Godmother, who will transform her in to the ravishing beauty, captivating Prince Charming. Sully set the tone with dull, mute colors, yet painted Cinderella in a soft, pink tone, emphasizing her youth, innocence, and beauty. He used subtle ways to add minor nuances that add to the story and truly evoke emotions out of the viewer.
Questions
How do the colors make you feel?
What do you think the girl in the foreground is thinking?
Why do you think she is holding a cat?
What do you think is going on in the background? Who do you think they are?
What do you think the girl in the foreground is thinking?
Why do you think she is holding a cat?
What do you think is going on in the background? Who do you think they are?