Download - Art and imperial power
Interrelationship between Europeans and Africans and the impact of the relationship on artistic production. (15th-16th centuries)
Portugals early role in the slave trade set the stage for greater powers like Great Britain and Holland who would take over as the dominant force in the 17th century
“The scramble for Africa” A period of intense and aggressive colonization of African states by European powers began in the 1880’s
Europeans in Africa
Decolonization and Post Colonial ArtImperial Control in Africa began to Decay in the
1950’sThe most lucrative market for contemporary art
was EuropeThis period was especially challenging for African
artists; most Europeans expected African art to be primitive, tribal and uninfluenced by western ways. Materials acquired by Europe in earlier days had ceased creating a change in media for some.
Artists responded to the situation in a variety of ways…..Some abandoned reference to traditional ways and materials indigenous to the land.Some adapted their forms as they incorporated newly available materials.
16th century ivory 'saltcellar’
Can be seen as a sort of “Tourist Art” collected byPortuguese travelers to bring back to the wealthy Clients who financed their voyages.Hybrid between cultures because…..Ivory carvers from Africa used imagery from Both Africa and Europe to make these moreEnticing to the European market.A status piece displayed in homes of the wealthyto show wealth and power of the family.Dogs and snakes are represented in high relief, both are considered to have strong connections to the spiritual world in African Culture.
Sapi is located on the Coastline of present Day Guinea and Sierra Leone
Sapi-Portuguese Refers toThe African region of Sapi As it was discovered by and Influenced by the early Portoguese Slave traders.
Benin Kingdom Court Style Plaque 16th-17th Century
The Portuguese found skilled artists Working in the Benin Kingdom along The western coast of Africa.Portuguese people referred to the KingdomAs the Beny Kingdom.Copper and Brass were important to the People of Benin and most of the artwork From the region was made of cast metal.
In 1897 the British attacked Benin and Conquered the very powerful region.Benin had taken over many neighboring Regions prior to the British takeover.
After the British takeover many of the Art pieces were sold to British Museums
Many of the works of art were created For use in rituals and for display onAlters.
This plaque is a depiction of important Benin leaders and fighters.The scale and relief of each figure conveys a message of rank.The largest figure being most important.The very ornate regalia is also a sign of wealth and power.It is still argued that some of these pieces should be returned to the native land from British Museums.
Newark Museum
Asafo FlagLocation: Coastal Area of GhanaThe Fante regionEach group in the Fante region has it’s own organized military. Flags were used to specify between groups.Flags were used to intimidate neighboring enemy groups.
This Flag, significant for it’sHi“Story” It is a good example of the interaction between British and West African cultural groups.
As sa- WAR Fo – People Highly organized Military Groups in the region.
The Yoroba People put great importance on dress to convey wealth and power.
The people of Yoruba would trade slaves to European countries for Beads and other luxury items to adorn the most powerful in the region.
Imagery conveyed important leaders in the region.
Yoruba dress and Regalia Current day Nigeria
Under French Rule prior to BritishColonization.
Guro People not ruled by Kings, insteadOverseen by a group of elders.Not an aggressive group of people, mostly focused on agricultural production.Masks created for spiritual rituals and Performances for entertainment..
Most masks are carved from wood and Painted.Hybrid Because-The lower portion is traditional in construction and imagery.The upper portion uses materials acquired during European trade.The upper portion also depicts contemporary imagery only seen post colonization by means of imported Chromolithographs.
Mid 20th Century
Face Mask Guro People
Fading Cloth 2005Created by El Anatsui Ghanaian ArtistHis Message-WHAT IT MEANT TO BE AFRICANIn a post colonial Society
Began to emerge as a major artist In the 1970’s
Made of Flattened Bottle caps and Scraps of metal Meant to be hung with folds to Accentuate texture and luminosity.
Traditional Weaving techniquesJuxtaposed with modern materialsFound in West Africa Post colonial error
A look at Commodities and Trade in China India and North American Colonies in relation to the height of the British Empire.
One constant here is that all Artists are trying to meet the needs of European Patrons.
Britain was focusing on trade and acquiring necessities such as teas and spices and other luxury goods, including works of art.
Art and Imperial Power
Made in China, Made for England, Eighteenth Century (1739-43)
Southern China 18th CenturyHybrid because….A combination of ChineseExpertise (The use of Porcelain) with European design and Imagery.
Viewed as being exotic yet still demanded some familiar European imagery.
One of a set of fifty platesCreated forLeake Okeover and his wife Mary Nichol. Aristocrats from England Design is a family code of arms.
Common Indian Nightjar India 18th Century
Company Painting (Kampani)A group of artists painting imagery that Reflects a typical sight in India, yet painted In a style that Europeans were looking for.
Eiteenth and Ninteenth Century equivelent To tourist art”
A collection of Knowledge and carful recorded observation
Possession of a painting of particular place isones way of asserting control over that Place as in the colonization of a country.
Paul Revere By John Singleton Coplay, 1768
Highly respected portrait painter North America
Painted PRIOR to his famousMidnight ride. The painting was created to celebrate Reveres talentAnd work as a metal smith artist.
Here he holds a teapot (central Motif) The imagery is significant in thatIt refers to the tea trade and thewearisome relationship between Britain and the colonies .
Possible political undertones
A tool used to assert Colonial Power.A combination or Fusion of Gothic, Classical
and traditional styles indigenous and imported materials were evident in many of the buildings that were erected around the globe during the British Empire.
Architecture and Power
Main Railway station in Mumbai, named to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Completed in 1888.Combination of European and Traditional Indian Architecture.Statue at top or the crown is a symbol of Progress, to represent colonial rule. The entrance is flanked by symbols of European and Indian Power.
Victoria Terminus BuildingMumbai India, Formerly Bombay
British Architect Frederick William Stevens, 1887 d
Royal Exhibition building Joseph Reed, 1880 Melbourne, Australia
This building was constructed to celebrate the Melbourne International Exhibition and was also used for the centennial Exhibition, which celebrated 100 years of European settlement in Australia.
A combination of Gothic and Classical church architecture.
The building and the Exhibits held there were intended to highlight European ideas about progress.
Royal Exhibition Building
St. George’s Cathedral Northern Coast of South America Arthur Blomfield, 1894 Guyana’s Capital city, Georgetown
One of the tallest wooden churches in the world
A successful hybrid between traditional European style done in a manner that is appropriate to it’s new Caribbean setting.
Anglican Church designed by celebrated British Architect illustrates the importance of the Anglican Church in Colonial rule.
St Georges Cathedral, Georgetown
A close look at 6 artists whose works were influenced by or a reaction to Imperial rule, colonization or decolonization.
“History painting” is most popular Genre in Europe.
The “Noble Savage”A romantic idea or vision of what the native peoples were like in the exotic colonized lands.
The Royal Academy Painters
Penn’s Treaty with the Indians Benjamin West, 1771-72
A “history painting” depicting William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania.
Depicts a legendary meeting between William Penn and the Lenape Indians. A treaty to pay the Indians fabrics and goods for their land.
Painted 100 years after the event took placeThomas Penn, son of William Penn commissioned
the painting to help his reputation which was oppressive and abusive towards Native Americans.
Penn Treaty with the Indians, Benjamin West 1771-72
Resolution and adventure with Fishing Craft in Matavi Bay William Hodges 1776
The painting suggests a harmonious relationship between The people of Tahiti andThe British. There is no interaction between the people themselves but the Composition suggests a calm and peaceful scene.The native boats and people are in the foreground of the painting creatingA linear perspective, leading the Viewers eye to the British boats Calmly nestled in the background.(V formation “framing” the British Boats.An atmospheric perspective is usedTo create a crispness in the foregroundContrasting the slightly out of focusBackground in the mountains.The landscape was partially invented Manipulated by the artist to create An exotic feel. The volcanic mountainsOf Tahiti could not be seen from any Coastline in reality.The painting is Romantic and idealized to portray a colonization as in a positive light.Reference to Madonna and Child…a Classical reference in European artistic training,Can be seen with the woman and her baby in the foreground. The woman is shirtlessDepicting an exotic and Native style on the old classic.(hybrid)
“Slave Ship”(slavers throwing overboard the dead and dying, Typhoon coming on) Joseph Mallord William Turner, 1840
A critical View of European Domination, not idealized or romanticized as we’ve seen in the paintings by West and Hodges. His Impressionist style can be compared to Claude Monet. But when one gets a closer look you can see the desperate hands breaking the water.
Used to cause controversy and influence the public to join abolitionists in stopping the Transatlantic slave trade and abusive chattel
slave trading.
Slave Ship Turner, 1840
Purple and Rose: The Lange Leizen of the six marksJames Abbott McNeill Whistler, 1864Focus of the painting is on Chinese imports created exclusively for Europeanmarket. Whistler was a collectorof Chinese Wares. The ones seen here are of his private collection.North American Borntraditionally schooled in Europe.Not a fan of “history Painting”Whistler was more of an impressionist. Creating mood with light and color.
Lady Receiving Visitors The Reception
John Frederick Lewis, 1873
Lewis, known for highly detailed paintings providing a glimpse of distant lands.
Invisible brushstrokesMember of the royal academyPrimary medium was Watercolor and oilsLived in CairoAll attention focused on the lady of the house
Attention to detail about the relationship between the lady of the house and her many servants.Gazelle was a popular animal in Egypt representing female beauty
“Lady Receiving Visitors” Lewis, 1873
“The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters” Yinka Shonibar, 2008Large ScalePhotograph fashioned after Goya’s Etching from 1799Almost an exact replica with emphasisOn the clothing. The clothes are influenced by popularDutch Wax cloth prints created by England specifically marketed for Africa.1799 meets 2008 with political Commentary and criticism.
The text on the desk is in French Translation:“Do the dreams of reason produce monsters”Suggesting that the imposition of the Enlightenment ideals during colonization may in fact create a few demons--such as dictators "democratically" voted into power.
Goya’s, 1799“The sleep of Reason Produces Monsters”
Etching
The artist's critique of his period's political and social vices.
Another example of Shonibars work….focus is on the Dutch Wax Cloth
