Gallery 23

Here, the legendary abolitionist and martyr John Brown descends the stairs of the jail in Charles Town, West Virginia. A noose hangs around his neck, and his arms are bound at his sides. Pausing on the stairs, Brown leans over the railing to kiss an African American baby held up by its mother, who is also the caregiver for the young girl who clings protectively to her skirt. Brown’s position on the stairs, surrounded by hostile captors, recalls historical depictions of Christ presented to the people.

Here, a policeman leads a group of suspects into a courtroom, where they are directed to join a man seated on a bench. The “Blood Tubs” (mentioned on the poster attached to the judge’s bench) were members of a Baltimore street gang that supported the American Party, which promoted anti-foreign and anti-Catholic prejudice and sought to restrict immigration. Blythe was a sympathizer, and his caricatures of the working poor may reflect the party’s anti-immigration views.

Here, a policeman leads a group of suspects into a courtroom, where they are directed to join a man seated on a bench. The “Blood Tubs” (mentioned on the poster attached to the judge’s bench) were members of a Baltimore street gang that supported the American Party, which promoted anti-foreign and anti-Catholic prejudice and sought to restrict immigration. Blythe was a sympathizer, and his caricatures of the working poor may reflect the party’s anti-immigration views.

Here, the legendary abolitionist and martyr John Brown descends the stairs of the jail in Charles Town, West Virginia. A noose hangs around his neck, and his arms are bound at his sides. Pausing on the stairs, Brown leans over the railing to kiss an African American baby held up by its mother, who is also the caregiver for the young girl who clings protectively to her skirt. Brown’s position on the stairs, surrounded by hostile captors, recalls historical depictions of Christ presented to the people.

In the 19th century, major rivers served as interstate highways for steamboats carrying passengers and cargo. These vessels were refueled by “woodhawks,” men in small boats loaded with firewood. Bingham’s painting presents these boatmen as mediators between nature and civilization. His idealized depictions of boatmen as free laborers may have reflected his opposition to slavery and its extension into the western states.

In the 19th century, major rivers served as interstate highways for steamboats carrying passengers and cargo. These vessels were refueled by “woodhawks,” men in small boats loaded with firewood. Bingham’s painting presents these boatmen as mediators between nature and civilization. His idealized depictions of boatmen as free laborers may have reflected his opposition to slavery and its extension into the western states.

Bierstadt’s poetic title for his view of a Gothic Revival chapel in Germany evokes associations with spiritual enlightenment and ignorance, as well as wealth and poverty. He pointedly contrasted the wealthy top-hatted man inside the sunlit church with the impoverished mother nursing her infant, who is cast into shadow on the steps outside. The artist designed the frame with carved branches and leaves from an oak tree, a symbol of faith and also of Christ’s cross, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Bierstadt’s poetic title for his view of a Gothic Revival chapel in Germany evokes associations with spiritual enlightenment and ignorance, as well as wealth and poverty. He pointedly contrasted the wealthy top-hatted man inside the sunlit church with the impoverished mother nursing her infant, who is cast into shadow on the steps outside. The artist designed the frame with carved branches and leaves from an oak tree, a symbol of faith and also of Christ’s cross, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Over time, ancient Rome’s Portico of Octavia (23 BCE) fell into ruin; by the 12th century, it had become a fish market. At the time Bierstadt traveled to Italy in 1857, Rome was defined largely by its historical significance. Yet it remained an important destination for wealthy tourists—such as the American couple carrying a red tourist guidebook here at center right—who made the Grand Tour of Europe to view the roots of western civilization.

Over time, ancient Rome’s Portico of Octavia (23 BCE) fell into ruin; by the 12th century, it had become a fish market. At the time Bierstadt traveled to Italy in 1857, Rome was defined largely by its historical significance. Yet it remained an important destination for wealthy tourists—such as the American couple carrying a red tourist guidebook here at center right—who made the Grand Tour of Europe to view the roots of western civilization.