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Essay Subject: Analysis of the marble bust of Thomas Jefferson by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon Discusses ...... More...

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Paper Abstract: Analysis of the 1789 marble bust of Thomas Jefferson by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Discusses the work as a reflection of the philosopohy of the Enlightenment period. Artistic attributes of the sculpture. Paper Introduction: Jean-Antoine Houdon was the premiere French sculptor ofthe Enlightenment period He was able to incorporate the new ideas of theEnlightenment into his art thereby reflecting the period and culture ofthe Enlightenment a period when reason was seen as the road to truth andprogress The work of art under consideration here is Houdon\'s marblebust of Thomas Jefferson Jefferson the third President of the new republic of the UnitedStates was an early American hero whose vision expressed much of thephilosophy of the Enlightenment period Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. The notesfrom the Getty exhibition comment that Houdon's "emphasis on capturing thesitter's character all reflected the spirit of the Enlightenment." Thebust of Thomas Jefferson is a prime example of this observation. The Enlightenment was a period in which the great thinkers believedthat humanity, through the employment of reason, was truly gaining masteryover the world" (Enlightenment/Overview). He was able to incorporate the new ideas of theEnlightenment into his art, thereby reflecting the period and culture ofthe Enlightenment, a period when reason was seen as the road to truth andprogress. > http://www.swil.ocdsb.edu.on.ca/ Modwest/Enlightenment/era.htmlGetty Exhibition. The marblebust, an excellent likeness of Jefferson, illustrates Houdon's depiction ofJefferson as a sensitive, intellectual, aristocratic, and idealiststatesman. The Enlightenment era was oneof thought and philosophy, and also of optimism. The work of art under consideration here is Houdon's 1789 marblebust of Thomas Jefferson. In viewing the bust, it is apparent that the sculpture was not madefrom a likeness but that Jefferson sat for Houdon. Houdon rendered the hint of a smilethat may be viewed as symbolizing the optimism of the Enlightenment era.This is the perfect rendering for the writer of the Declaration ofIndependence and one of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment. Houdon was "sympathetic to theprinciples of freedom and equality that lay behind the AmericanRevolution." Houdon's depiction of American Forefathers established theirlikeness for prosperity (Getty exhibition). Born in Versailles, Houdon's style was formed in the classicisticperiod of the 18th Century. Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828) was the premiere French sculptor ofthe Enlightenment period. His art "was greatly admired by thephilosophers who provided the intellectual basis of the Revolution, many ofwhom he portrayed with phenomenal accuracy" (Hartt 311). The new age "stressedfreedoms and rights and reforms in government to bring about these newvalues. He hollowed out a cavity thatcreated the pupil of the eye in relief. Houdon was also knownfor working from life. With the head slightly elevated, Jefferson seems to be focusingon a distant point, perhaps the future. One of thecharacteristics of the Enlightenment era was an emphasis on individualism,and this piece of sculpture is a fine example of that attribute. Art: A History of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture. He cut out the entire iris, andthen bore a deeper hole for the pupil, leaving a small fragment of marbleto overhang the iris. The effect is somewhat startling for it seems as ifJefferson is actually looking at something in particular, not just staringinto space. The subjects of ancientstatues often appear to have a blank stare, but the eyes of the statuesthat Houdon did in the Age of the Enlightenment are unique to the subject.He was the first sculptor in the history of art who knew how to show howeyes capture the light. Jean-Antoine Houdon: Sculptor of the Enlightenment. In America, the Enlightenment wasrepresented by the political concepts of the American Revolution and theprecepts of leaders like Jefferson. http://www.monticello.org/highlights/houdon.html "With its strong brow softening above an almost knowing half-smile," the bust of Jefferson is "strikingly expressive, capturingJefferson in thought" (Jean-Antoine Houdon's Bust of Jefferson). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1979.Jean-Antoine Houdon's Bust of Jefferson. Nov.4,2 3-Jan.25,2 4.Hartt, Frederick. Works CitedEnlightenment/Overview. His personalphilosophy is expressed in his statement that his artistic purpose was "topresent with all the realism of form and to render almost immortal theimage of the men who have contributed the most to the glory or thehappiness of their country" (Hartt 312). The carving technique indicates a knowledge of thesubject's bone structure, indicating Houdon's scientific study of anatomy.Even though the bust is entirely in marble, there is a lifelike quality toit, especially in the eyes that appear animated. Houdon's bust of Jefferson captures the essence of the subject, andis not just a general prototype of a politician or intellectual. II. Vol. Jefferson, the third President of the new republic of the UnitedStates, was an early American hero whose vision expressed much of thephilosophy of the Enlightenment period, a time of revolutionary politicaland social change in France and America. According to notes at the Getty exhibition, Houdoninvented his own technique for carving eyes. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.