Host Department:
History of Art
Date: 04/13/2012
Time: 4:00PM
Location: 180 Tappan Hall, 855 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI
(Show map)
519 South University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1357
Description:
Since it was painted in 1836, "Farmers Nooning" has been described as
charmingly diverting, vividly lifelike, a popular scene of everyday
life in the Jacksonian era, or the ideological thinking of New York's
rising merchant class. This paper re-examines this well-known picture,
as well as its artist and patron, to ask what has been at stake in the
idea of it being a real representation. A closer look at this image
of black and white field hands on a mid-day break reveals both
first-hand observation and elaborate art historical reference,
reportage and meditation on race, work and leisure, art and life. How
the image moved from entertainment to American icon is part of the
story.
Add to Cal
