Eastman Johnson was born in Lovell, Maine in 1824 and died in
New York City in 1906.
In her book 50 American Artists You Should Know - Debra N. Mancoff tells
us that one of the most important contributions that Eastman Johnson
made as an Artist is that he 'caught the breadth of the National Spirit
in a time of Turmoil and Transition.'
Mancoff goes on to say that Johnson made drawings of Union
Soldiers on three different tours with them - and these insightful
glimpses into the Civil War were well known and published.
Johnson also did paintings of the lives of African Americans -
and uses one of them to illustrate her book - Negro Life at the
South (1859) which hangs at the The New York Historical Society,
The Robert L. Stuart Collection.
Eastman Johnson lived to the age of 82 - often painting Portraits -
including two of Presidents of the United States - and was able to
enjoy widespread recogniton of his Talent during his Life.
Why thank you -FJ.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised you would have chosen to highlight Mr. Eastman Johnson in your Art Blog. It is well known amoung the curators of the MMA - which Mr. Johnson helped found - that Mr. Johnson was a paedophile. There are many extant works of his that depict children - mostly female - in very sexually sugestive poses. Granted they are rendered in crayon and chalk or pencil on paper, but still, not a very nice man.
ReplyDeleteI have also noticed that you like "Jabberwocky" written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - aka Lewis Carroll. Are you aware that Mr. Dodgson is also a famous paedophile? He is known to have been the very first person to photograph little girls in extremely sexually suggestive poses. Most of his photographs were destroyed by his next-of-kin when he died, but enough remain to leave little doubt that he was a pervert.
His photographs of a nude Alice Liddell, the girl for whom Alice In Wonderland was written, are outrageous.
So Eastman Johnson and Lewis Carroll - are you trying to tell us something?
The American artist Eastman Johnson also attempted to make maple syrup a political statement through a collection of works showing that the sugaring process was not only a part of New England’s social fabric but a way to strike a blow for freedom. Who knows, had other Republicans listened to him, perhaps we wouldn't have needed to fight a Civil War to free the slaves.
ReplyDeleteIt's also no surprise that the curators of the MMA "know paedophilia when they see it," much as many modern Dodgeson biographers may have fallen victim to the Carroll Myth associated with a denial of the existance of a Victorian Child Cult (See Wikipedia on Lewis Carroll).
It would appear that Dodgeson and Johnson, by their choice of subject matter were paedophiles to modern interpretters. But in their day, few raised an eyebrow. Perhaps it was the "medium" that set them apart (photography vice paint). So much for the traditional notion of depicting innocent cherubim...
In Johnson & Dodgeson's day, the "perverts" would have been the Mapplethorpes. It won't be long before today's traditional monogamists will be ridiculed and ostracized. The non masturbatory celibates already are.
O tempora, O mores! (Cicero)
Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo (Catullus)
ReplyDeleteI wrote a paper dissecting the poetry of Catullus, especially his Carmine Series. Latin was actually easier than Greek for me.
I thought it rather funny that one Yankee Latin scholar translated "irrumabo" as: "Clintonise". I guess you have to know about Monica Lewinsky and her famous stained dress to get the joke.
I'm game if you are?
Aquarina - I did not know that either Eastman Johnson or Lewis Carroll were pedophiles.
ReplyDeleteI simply did not know.
I have stated to others that my interest in Art - mainly paintings - is what I feel when I look at them.
I love Art - and I refuse to allow you or anyone else to take that great enjoyment out of my Life
- becaue let me tell you Aquarina - I have very lttle enjoyment in my life.
JC - Hi.
ReplyDeleteAs a regulare commenter on my blogs I will recognize your comment but not respond since it was not directed directly at me.
Aquarina - Is your Monica Lewinsky comment for me?
ReplyDeleteIf it is it is over my head.
No, Ms. Hanes, the Monica Lewinsky comment was not for you. Joe Conservative was the intended target.
ReplyDeleteI do not wish to deprive you of what little enjoyment you might possess in this your corporeal life. But as the Muslims say, we should not expect to experience joy during our time as human beings. We are meant to use this time to prepare for the infinite bliss of the afterlife. Whence deposited in the paradisiacal arms of the one true god, it is then, and only then, that we will experience joy.
Are you sure you don't have any beer in your frig, Aquaiana?
ReplyDeleteThanks, but no thanks... as I suspect I know why the Greek was more difficult for you...
Culus tibi purior salillo est,
nec toto decies cacas in anno
Aquarina - And are we meant to experience Loneliness and Emptiness while we are preparing ourselves for the Infinit Bliss of the Afterlife.
ReplyDeleteBecuase I look around my and I see Others experiencing Joy - surrounded by Those Who Love
them - and well - I don't mind being Lonely - and living a Life devoid of Love - but really -
I'm not even having fun.
I would like to be around Others that I Like and have a sort of fun with them.
Is living in the same House with a person who is obseesd with basketball and booze all I deserve?
Please - Aquarina - O Wise One - I like you and I seek out your Advice.
Cause I'm dying a slow torurous Death here.
I am surrouded by people who say - We Love You - but then they hang up and experience their own Love - leaving me with empty words hanging in the air.
ReplyDeleteLeaving me to wonder - does anybody really give a crap about me?
Even in the Ancient Greek, the new testament assures its readers that many 'give a crap' about many others.
ReplyDeleteDo not despair Ms. Hanes.
I was right about you wasn't I - Aquariana?
ReplyDeleteYou are here to help me.
As for Despair - it comes at Night - Mostly.
And when it does - I look it right in the face - and Stay the Course - until it moves on.
As for Those Who Care - I am very Grateful for Them.