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•Artist: Thomas Smith
•Title: Self-portrait
•Date: 1680
•Poem establishes resistance to war
•Has a focus on ageing and past glory. His gray hair and wrinkling face indicate ageing. This is enforced by the skull who appears to “speak” the words.
•Self portrait is memento mori with the message, “remember thou shalt die.”
•Contemplation of death outweighs earthly matters |
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•Artist: Anonymous
•Title: Gravestone of William Dickson
•Date: 1690
•The words “memento mori” (“Remember you must die”) and “fugit hora” (“Time flies”) are shown between the cherubs carrying the coffin.
•This emphasizes human mortality, which is further enforced by the hour glasses held by the figures in the top corners of the grave-stone who each hold an arrow.
•Also emphasizes the passage of time. Which is further emphasized by hour glass being held by naked long haired figures. |
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•Artist: Benjamin West
•Title: The Death of General Wolfe
•Date: 1770
•The posture serves to link the bloody battles for empire with Christ’s sacrifice for the salvation of humankind. West depicts Wolfe dying at the moment when the British secure the defeat of the French—the small figure on the left comes running with the news.
•Includes Indian based of antiquity painting, present to remind the viewer of the local battle. |
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•Artist: John Singleton Copley
•Title: Watson and the Shark
•Date: 1780
•Thought to be an indirect reference to the War of Independence.
• The black man seems to be the important figure holding the rope that connects Watson to the boat. He holds Watsons life in his hands.
•This could be used to connect the slaves that were thrown to the sharks when being transported to America. |
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•Artist: John Trumbull
•Title: The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill
•Date: 17 June 1780
•Neither side is portrayed as totally defeated of totally victorious. Both sides have their mortally wounded leader surrounded by comrades. General Warren is about to be stabbed by the bayonet of a grenadier.
•Also represents the noble deeds done by noble men. |
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•Artist: Gilbert Stuart
•Title: George Washington (The Lansdowne Portrait)
•Date: 1800
•Washington is depicted as a ruler with his arm raised, signaling public address. This stance is depicted in many Roman statues.
•He is shown in his office. The bald eagle is carved on the leg of his desk, the bald eagle represents the symbols of America.
•Eagle and arrows also symbols of Iriquois nation, and their influence on early congress. |
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