Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Exhibitions
archive

Classical taste in America, Washington's official style

Neo-classicism as expressed in painting sculpture and the decorative arts in a touring exhibition

Paul Jeromack
1 January 1994
Share

New York

A sequel of sorts to the American Rococo exhibition held in Los Angeles and New York in 1992 "Classical taste in America: 1800-1840" is at the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina (until 13 March). Although Neo-classicism was already firmly entrenched in Europe by the time of the conclusion of the War of Independence, the young republic eagerly embraced its motifs and forms, finding in the arts of ancient Greece and Rome a perfect compliment to its stated moral goals. These ancient civilisations were held to be uncorrupted models of democracy, and the style derived from the academic study of their art and architecture acquired deep political resonance in America.

The principal promoters of Neo-classicism in America were Thomas Jefferson and Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother. Jefferson's erudition and awareness of European trends (he was the first American to respond enthusiastically to David) spread the classical revival architecturally, while as Secretary of State he planned the federal city of Washington and commissioned Canova to sculpt a classically attired statue of George Washington, noting that, "As to the style or costume, I am sure the artist, and every person of taste in Europe would be for the Roman .... Our boots and regimentals have a very puny effect". However, when Horatio Greenough essayed another, more extreme Neo-classical statue of Washington, seated and semi-nude as the god Zeus, most Americans were appalled.

Joseph Bonaparte came to the United States as a political exile, settling in Bordentown, New Jersey in a luxurious mansion filled with the latest high-style Neo-classical furniture and decorative arts (and a fine collection of Old Masters including Titian's "Tarquin and Lucretia" now in the Fitzwilliam). He set an example as a tastemaker, and his home was imitated by many of the leading Americans who visited.

"Classical taste in America" offers a good survey of the American fascination with and interpretations of the style, from furniture by French immigrant Charles-Honoré Lannuier and by Duncan Phyfe to paintings by Gilbert Stuart, Rembrandt Peale and the underrated Thomas Sully, from silver by Thomas Fletcher and Obadiah Rich to fabrics, ceramics and glass.

Unfortunately, American Neo-classical sculpture is rather underrepresented; Thomas Cawford is shown but, surprisingly, there is nothing by Hiram Powers. It was in this field that Amerian artists first made an impact on Europeans, their works being judged their equal. The exhibition travels to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (1 May-24 July).

Exhibitions19th centuryMuseums & HeritageMint Museum of ArtCharlotte, North CarolinaNeo-classicismFounding FathersAmerican neo-classicism
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

Exhibitionsarchive
30 September 2001

Decadent collection of English art enthusiast and eccentric William Beckford to go on show at Bard Graduate Center

A sample of the collector's princely taste

Jason Edward Kaufman
Exhibitionsreview
10 August 2017

Visions of 18th-century France: how the Goncourt brothers taught America about Rococo

A focused show in Washington, DC, looks at why US collectors had a passion for French painting

By Yuriko Jackall