Samuel F.B. Morse is one of my favorite american artists. Most people know he is famous for developing and creating the morse code. However, since I am an art history major, what most people don't know is that Samuel F.B. Morse was actually a fabulous and well accomplished painter of historical scenes.
Above is a painting of his daughter, which was the last finished painting he created because he decided that developing the morse code and perfecting the telegraph would be a lot more rewarding financially, so he gave up art, which was his first career. I really like this painting, she is shown with a sketch book in her lap, following in the footsteps of her father. This theme of man teaching a woman how to paint is tied to the painting below as well...
I really love this painting by him..which is entitled, the gallery at the louvre(1832–33). If you look closely, you can identify famous works by european artists shown on the walls. I love the gender dynamic in this painting...the women are not painting on their own and are shown with men helping them...as seen by the man and women in the center of the piece. I really like how gender roles are shown within both of these works- where the man is the one who knows the craft and is teaching the woman, displaying a woman's nievity, and need for male guidance.
So, i thought i'd enlighten you all and let you know that Samuel Morse was a very accomplished painter as well as inventor :)
all images from google images.
1 comment:
I had no idea that he was a painter!! thanks for the enlightenment! xxxoo
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