Compass and Clock; Defining Moments in American Culture: 1800, 1850, 1900

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Overview

In this provocative book, a prominent art historian discusses the evolution of American culture-literature, art, architecture, and music-during the 19th century as the nation expanded and matured. John Wilmerding focuses on three turning points-around 1800, when America began to find its identity as a republic; the mid-century, a self-confident period of prosperity and growth; and the century's close, a time of anxiety over profound changes in the psychological and physical dimensions of life. The author provides...
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More About This Book

Overview

In this provocative book, a prominent art historian discusses the evolution of American culture-literature, art, architecture, and music-during the 19th century as the nation expanded and matured. John Wilmerding focuses on three turning points-around 1800, when America began to find its identity as a republic; the mid-century, a self-confident period of prosperity and growth; and the century's close, a time of anxiety over profound changes in the psychological and physical dimensions of life. The author provides stimulating analyses of the masterworks of these periods-from Walden and Moby-Dick to the paintings of Thomas Eakins and Winslow Homer-finding common threads and complementary expressions among the images that writers and visual artists alike used to convey the mood and vision of each distinctive era.
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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Noted art historian Wilmerding has written a fascinating study of American culture by focusing on three pivotal periods--the beginning of the 19th century, the century's midpoint, and its close in 1900. Reviving the notion (less than fashionable in recent years) that there are such things as pinpointable historical turning points, Wilmerding takes these three moments as launch points for his engrossing and cross-disciplinary look at art, literature, architecture, and music. Weaving together commentary on artists, writers, and others, he both defines each moment and shows how it led to the next point in the century. Lavishly illustrated with examples of the art works discussed, as well as portraits of the writers, this volume is recommended for larger libraries with art or American culture collections.--Martin R. Kalfatovic, Smithsonian Inst. Libs., Washington, DC Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Booknews
Through analysis of literature, art, and architecture within their cultural contexts, Wilmerding (American Art, Princeton University; and, Curator in the Departments of American Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) focuses on three turning points in American history: 1800, when America began to find its identity as a republic; 1850, a period of prosperity and growth; and 1900, a time of change and anxiety. He discusses great works of these three periods (including works by Thomas Jefferson, Charles Wilson Peale, George Caleb Bingham, Thomas Eakins, and Winslow Homer), finding common themes and complementary expressions in the images that writers and visual artists drew upon to convey the mood and vision of each distinctive era. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780810940963
  • Publisher: Abrams, Harry N., Inc.
  • Publication date: 9/28/1999
  • Pages: 256
  • Product dimensions: 7.50 (w) x 10.25 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction: Clockwise America 20
Prologue: Articulating Independence 25
Pt. 1 Circa 1800: Expanding Horizons 39
Pt. 2 Circa 1850: Apex and Apogee 85
Pt. 3 Circa 1900: Disorientation 155
Epilogue: Circa 2000 239
Notes 241
Index 251
Photographic Credits 256
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