Curriculum Materials: Art in America
|
|
|
Image 9 Henry Lewis Questions: |
St. Anthony Falls
Lewis painted the landscape surrounding St. Anthony Falls very naturalistically, based on his detailed sketch and recollection of the area. As was common in 19th-century American landscapes, the drama-filled sky covers nearly half of the canvas. Dark gray storm clouds pass through on the right, leaving in their wake blue sky and fluffy white clouds highlighted with touches of pink cast by the low sun. Lewis emphasized the falls themselves by stretching them horizontally across the painting's midsection. The water cascades over the natural platform and rushes down the river, creating white froth as it hits the rocks and other objects in its path. Lewis conveyed this action through many loose BRUSHSTROKES, which also capture the broken reflections of the rosy, cloud-filled sky and the darker storm clouds. Using ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE, he created a believable sense of depth.
Despite the fact that we can sense the great power of the water as it rushes over the falls, the painting conveys a tranquil and peaceful scene. A solitary American Indian sits on a rocky ledge overlooking the falls. He is smoking a pipe, a traditional means of prayer for many Indian people. Lewis drew attention to the Indian by clothing him in a bright red garment that stands out against the natural green colors of the landscape. Because many Americans had heard about but not seen Native Americans, a demand for paintings of Indians developed. Although Lewis knew individual Native Americans, this painting presents a highly romanticized view of Native Americans in general and their relationship to nature. Also, it gives no indication of the atrocities American Indians suffered as settlers and the government took over their lands.
Every aspect of the painting suggests an idyllic world
unspoiled by civilization. Yet, by the time
Lewis made his original sketch and
certainly by 1855, considerable building had taken place
around the falls. For instance, a sawmill was located there
as early as 1822 to supply the construction needs of
Fort Snelling.
|
|