American Painters
82
JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY
John Singleton Copley (1738-1815) of Boston moved to London in 1774 because all of his family’s ties were with those loyal to the British Crown. John Copley never returned to America, but he is still considered the most gifted and influential of all painters from the Colonial Period. The Neoclassical painting below is based on a true story that occurred in the harbor at Havana.
CHARLES BIRD KING
Charles Bird King (1785-1862) of Rhode Island is best known for the over 100 portraits he painted of American Indians, on a commission from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. This is ironic, since the father of Charles King was scalped and killed by a group of Native Americans when he was four years old.
ARCHIBALD WILLARD
Archibald Willard (1836-1918) of Ohio fought in the Civil War.
The painting below was inspired by a veteran’s parade he attended.
Archibald Willard used his own father as the model for the middle figure.
This painting is currently displayed in the State Department.
WILLIAM HARNETT
William Harnett (1848-1892) of Philadelphia developed an oft-imitated style known as trompe l’oeil (fool the eye).
The still life paintings of ordinary objects by William Harnett are so realistic that they have been mistaken for the actual articles.
DANIEL RIDGWAY KNIGHT
Daniel Ridgway Knight (1839-1924) of Philadelphia specialized in painting peasant women outdoors. He moved to France in 1872, and there he lived out his days. It is easy to notice the finely detailed figures, acute attention to landscape portrayal, and subdued use of light and color, of Daniel Ridgway Knight.
CHARLES MARION RUSSELL
Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926) grew up in Missouri, and lived most of his adult life in the state of Montana. He is best known for the over 2,000 paintings he created of cowboys, Indians, and western landscapes. “The Cowboy Artist” Charles Marion Russell was also a sculptor and author.
THOMAS HART BENTON
Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975) was born into a prominent Missouri family.
He was a leader of the Regionalist art movement, and also a famous art teacher.
Thomas Hart Benton painted scenes from everyday America life with a fluid, sculpted style.
REGINALD MARSH
Reginald Marsh (1898-1954) grew up in New Jersey, and lived his adult life in New York City. His work is called Social Realism. Reginald Marsh was famous for painting scenes that depicted the lives of the lower class members of society. He also worked extensively as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines.
NORMAN ROCKWELL
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) of New York City may be the most beloved artist in American history. Art critics sneered at his work, considering his paintings to be nothing more than sentimentalized, unrealistic portrayals of American life. Those poor reviews were unfair because at that time art critics lived on the coasts, and were unaware of the America portrayed in Rockwell’s 4,000 paintings; Rockwell’s America was quite real.
RICHARD ESTES
Richard Estes (b. 1932) is from Illinois. He is not only one of the founders, but also the acknowledged grand master of the photorealist movement. Richard Estes used photographs to create paintings of clean, inanimate cityscapes that appear to be photographs. Since 1962, he has lived in Spain.
ERNIE BARNES
Ernie Barnes (1938-2009) was a professional football player turned neo-mannerist painter from North Carolina. The painting in this gallery was used as an album cover by Marvin Gaye, and in the closing credits of the television program Good Times, on which Ernie Barnes appeared several times.
THOMAS KINKADE
Thomas Kinkade (b. 1958) of California is the “Painter of Light.” He specializes in bucolic, idyllic scenes, painted with glowing highlights and saturated colors. Art critics loathe him as a purveyor of kitsch, but he is the best selling painter of all time. Regular people simply love the spiritual expressions of this devout Christian. It is said that 1 out of 20 homes in America have at least one piece of art created by Thomas Kinkade.
OTHER ART HUBS
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ok JAMES! I wanted to mention the few that really GOT me just for fun....
Music and Good luck
Girl With A Basket In Garden
AND BOTH By Thomas Kinkade......x
Fantastic! Loved looking over this one!
Great hub and I found I sat for the longest while looking at "Watson and the Shark"...these will all stand the test of time...great hub.
Blessings
You've got a couple of my favorites here. Nice post!!
GPAGE! You are my first visitor! Thank you, darlin' I surely appreciate your enthusiastic response to my gallery. Your remarks are gratifying to read. You are most assuredly welcome. :D
James
I like anything about art. Especially for painting. And Thanks for showing me about this. I give big appreciation for your research. I enjoy all the picture above. I rate this Up! Good work, James.
GPAGE! I could have guessed you would enjoy the musical instruments and the gardens--sort of like your own, eh?
varkjie--- Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
I love Kinkade! I have a book of his art in my office!
"Quill"--- Thank you very much, my brother. Yes, that Copley painting can be mesmerizing. I really like it. Thanks for making your presence known. It's always great to hear from you.
carolina muscle--- I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. My, you are an early bird.
James,
These are all great examples of American art. The art of Rockwell is legendary, but I really am amazed at the reality of the portraits of Charles Bird King.
Kinkade is another of my favorites.
prasetio30--- I love art, too. Especially painting. You are welcome and thank you for the affirmation. :)
James
advisor4qb--- You are an early riser! I love Kinkade, too. Beauty is often disparaged. Thanks for coming.
Tom Whitworth--- Another early bird! The Charles Bird King is amazing, isn't it. We share our admiration for Rockwell and Kinkade. I thought it a nice idea to juxtapose the Kinkades with examples of great American Art and see how they compare. Quite well, I think.
Thank you, James, for writing such a fantastic hub. Those painting are really products of geniuses. The depth in that painting of Rockwell is unbelievable. A phot wouldn't better. The details of the 'Homecoming of the Marines' is undescribable. I have never seen such masterpieces and yet they are not even half as famous. Thank you, James, for giving me so much pleasure to see them.
Great hub, James. I love art and love looking at new things I haven't seen before. I have two large Kinkades that I love, but they are not like the ones you have pictured, they are more nautical (Perseverance & Sea of Tranquility) - I agree with some that his work can be kitsch and I'm not a fan of the "cottagey" ones, but I'm a fan of his mastery! Thanks for this enjoyable hub.
Most enjoyable, and Americas top artist.
Oh James these are beautiful. I have been to the Norman Rockwell museum and I am fascinated by the way he makes everything so REAL. Kinkaid is another favorite and I would enjoy seeing more of Knight's work. I like the one you showed here very much. Thank you James!! This was a pleasant little diversion...
Hello, hello,--- You are surely welcome. I only discovered "Homecoming Marine" yesterday myself and I am stunned by it's beauty and perfection and intimate detail. American artists have gotten a bit of the short shrift but they have produced some fine works. Thank you for the wonderful compliments.
Lily Rose--- Thank you! The nautical Kinkades are beautiful. I did consider a lighthouse scene for this Hub. Yes, he is truly a masterful painter. You are quite welcome. Thanks for coming.
JannyC--- Thank you very much for swinging in and leaving word that you enjoyed your visit.
Moonchild--- It is my pleasure to receive you. I have not been to the Rockwell museum but I intend to go as soon as I can. I do enjoy getting off into the beauty of the world to keep my balance. It can get pretty ugly out there. Be careful. :D
James - this is an astounding hub with amazing images. I don't need to go to an art history course as long as I follow James A. Watkins.
Thanks for this extraordinary and well-written hub.
This is great James. The painters are so diverse. All ecellent in their own way
drbj--- Why, thank you so much. I am well pleased to receive your words. You are quite welcome. I appreciate the affirmation. :D
ethel smith--- Thank you, my dear. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.
WILLIAM MICHAEL HARNETT'S painting looks like a photo it is so realistic, WOW !!!
LOL...critics loath the best selling painter of all time.
Being loathed ain't so bad it seems.
Great hub James...I loath you....hahhhahahahahahaha
~Shalom
Will you be doing more aer hubs? I appreciate all that you included, but there are so many more - Grandma Moses, for one. Rothko is my favorite. Jackson Pollock. They're all interesting characters, too.
That was wonderful, thank you. I haven't felt such warm feelings , looking at so many beautiful paintings since I visited the Louvre in Paris many years ago.
Your hub was just like going to a real art gallery, and a real GOOD art gallery. Take care x
Spectacular! I love the landscape scenery - makes me feel close connection to nature.
Thanks for sharing such beauty!
Enjoyed this article. i particularly like the painting by Ernie Barnes and Hart Benton's painting. They are expressive.
A friend of mine used to paint in the style of photorealism, but he can't paint now because of glaucoma.
You are the teacher...thank you so much for sharing. I enjoyed the article. Kinkade I am fond of but the others are very nice as well.
What a wonderful group of American paintings. I wasn't familiar with Harnett and this painting is quite unique. Thanks for sharing this information. Good hub.
Magnificent art and a great education, a wonderful hub, James
quietnessandtrust--- I agree with you. That Harnett painting is striking. Sometimes it's good to be loathed--if you are loathed for the right reasons. Know what I mean jelly bean?
Great to hear from you, my friend. Keep creating art. Shalom.
sheila b.--- I will be doing one more Hub on American Art, and soon. I think I will turn to sculpture and photography after that. You listed several fine artists. And yes, many artists are a different breed, to be sure.
Dim Flaxenwick--- Thank you and you are welcome. I'm so glad you enjoyed this gallery. I appreciate your affirmation and ongoing support. :)
DynamicS--- Thank you! I appreciate your visit and comments. You are most welcome. :-)
Deltachord--- I am glad you enjoyed it. Yes, Barnes & Benton are expressive painters indeed. I am sorry to hear about your friend's glaucoma. Having one's joy taken away must be depressing.
Ictodd1947--- You are welcome. Thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed my Hub. It's nice to see you here.
Pamela99--- I agree that the Harnett painting is unique. Thank you for coming by and leaving your kind comments. And you are surely welcome, too.
katyzzz--- Thank you! Thank you very much.
Very nicely done James! Enjoyed the portraits....
James, wonderful hub. The Thomas Kinkade sent so many emotions thru me at once. He was one of my mothers most favorite painters. She spent hours painting and her style was a lot like his. I still have a lot of her paintings and it just floored me with the style likeness. Alana
James, what a wonderful subject. And your selection is just great. This is my first encounter with american painters. Thanks for writing it.
Michael Shane--- Thank you very much! I am well pleased that you enjoyed it.
mschloe269--- Thank you, my dear. Your mom was a good painter. I remember. I'm glad you have some of her work.
Jimmy
cameciob--- Thank you. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the gallery and appreciated the selections. You are surely welcome. :)
It is good to see all painters together. Wonderful pictures too.
Thomas Kinkade is just great! I like his "Masterworks of Light" Maita
H P Roychoudhury--- Thank you, kind sir, for visiting my Page and leaving your kind comments.
prettydarkhorse--- Hey! Maita. It's nice to hear from you again. I agree with you: Kinkade is truly a masterful artist. :D
Some of the gerat work of art I have ever seen in my life.. these painters are awesome with their great work they made teh mark on the art side..
brethodge--- Thank you. Thank you very much. I am glad to see your comments. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community.
I love "The Girl With The Basket". All these wonderful paintings are breath taking. Such fine work James. God Bless You.
stars439--- That is a wonderful painting. The girl looks so clean and sweet. I am well pleased that you appreciate this fine art. Thanks for coming by to visit.
interesting hub, very useful information and paintings ofcourse amazing.
"GIRL WITH A BASKET IN A GARDEN" BY Daniel Ridgway Knight awesome and Thomas Kinkade's as well. i like the hub.
andhra history— Thank you very much for visiting my Hub. I am glad you liked it. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
I enjoyed the colorful art gallery. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed seeing the paintings you've put together in this hub! Rated 5 and bookmarked!
electricsky— You are most welcome. I am well pleased that you enjoyed the gallery. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community! :-)
vox vocis— I am glad that you enjoyed this gallery. Thank you for the high praise indeed.
I enjoyed this hub and learned a lot. Thanks.
blue parrot— I'm glad you did. Thank you and you're welcome.
I am glad I finally got to this hub! A wonderful survey of artists. Thanks
G L Strout— I'm glad you took the time to check out this gallery. Thank you for the visit and you're welcome.
Very nice overview of American artists.
dahoglund— Thank you! Thank you very much. :D
very well done im in pressed
jamymilitan— Thank you!! Thank you very much! :D
James, some stunning material here! The fact that you created this Hub months ago and it is still fascinating indicates the durability of art. I would like to include some of it in my online magazine aimed at over 40's.
Shreevie— I am flattered that you would like to include some of my material in your magazine. Thank you for the affirmation. Yes, I agree that certain subjects are timeless and those are the ones I write about most often. Welcome to the Hub Pages Community!
James this is a feast for the eyes and food for the heart. Thank you for writing about these artists and showing us some of the work they did. This hub is an experience and the paintings have reached deep within me.I love them all but the work of two that stand out for me are Thomas Kinkade and Norman Rockwell. Do you have any of this art hanging on your walls?
Spirit Whisperer— You are quite welcome, my friend. I love these paintings, too, but no, I do not have any of them personally. I have seen most of them in museums.
I am with you: Rockwell and Kinkade are my favorites of these wonderful artists.
I am so glad that you liked this gallery. I love to write about art and artists and display their works. It is beautiful. :D
GPAGE Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
JAMES! This is a fantastic hub with "stunning artwork!" WOW! I like ALL of them! Honestly they all blew my mind.......they all have the "wow" factor. Thank you so much for putting this up here. I have never seen quite a few of them.....thank you!........
Beautiful........Night, G