Examine Benjamin West's painting, Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky (1805). You may access this painting via the following link: http://www.frankelec.com/west_fullsize.htm. After spending a few moments with the painting, please respond to one or more of the following questions:
1. What do you think the artist is trying to achieve in this painting? Consider the sometimes clashing roles of science and religion and how they function in this painting.
2. What are your reactions to the elements of this painting? Do you think it's Romantic? Rationalist? Explain your response.
3. What do you think Benjamin Franklin thought of this portrait of himself?
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21 comments:
I think the artist is trying to show that a blend of the romantic and the rationalistic view points exist in every human being.
I, myself, am a hopeless romantic. But hey, if I couldn't be rational AT ALL I'd be having a load of trouble with math. Which, you know, is a different story...hahaha! But without a little bit of both perspectives, one is hardly complete.
If I was Benjamin Franklin, I'd be a little embarrassed. I can't look at anything featuring myself (home movies, pictures, anything) without being embarrassed! It's so odd to see yourself outside of a mirror.
Hope you all have a lovely evening.
Meghan.
I think that the blend of romanticism and rationalism shows the views of the people at the time. Electricity was something that was not very well understood during that time, and since Franklin had unlocked (haha, get it? key, unlocked...yeah, ok, maybe not, oh well) the secret to controlling this mysterious force of nature, the people during that time idolized him, as is shown by the romantic setting that he is placed in.
After looking at the Drawing Electricity from the Sky, I decided that it was a completely Romantic paiting. Although it does show some rationalistic qualities, such as the portrayal of science, I still thought that overall it depicted a romantic idea. It seems to me that the little people around Benjamin Franklin could either be angels or cupid (haha). (For some reason they look like little cupids but that does not make any sense and doesn't have anything to do with this painting.) So, it appears that the little men around Franklin are angels that are helping him discover the power of electricity. Franklin also appears to be kind of God-like because of the way that he is centered in the painting, the wind is blowing his clothes around, and he is larger than the other people. Benjamin Franklin probably saw this picture and was completely embarassed. I don't know how you picture your Ben Franklin, but I think he was probably a humble man, and seeing this painting would have made him flustered because he probably didn't see himself as God-like or almighty. He probably didn't even see himself as a hero either, which in this painting, he appears to be a romantic hero.
I think that the artist depicted part of rationalism and romantic view in the painting.
The Science approach is rational but the way it is shown is romantic. The way Benjamin is the center of the piece he looks knowledgable, powerful, and somewhat god like, with the hovering angels. His pose with his eyes looking toward the sky and the key automatically draws your eyes to that along with the glowing openeing in the trees right behind it. The blowing wind also is apparent and he looks very vailant with his red blowing cape thing. :)
I think Ben would have been honored but at the same time embarrased to see your self shown in such a way, with the naked angels around etc.
I believe that the artist was trying to portray the message that romanticism and rationalism must coexist in life. No one can be completely romantic and no one can be completely rational. It is the balance of both that can achieve great things. I believe he is illustrating that while romanticism, seen in the angels, and rationalism, seen in Ben Franklin, are completely different ideas, but they both exist in everyone.
In my opinion, the painting is more rationalist than romantic. I believe this because Ben Franklin is significantly larger than the romantic aspects of the painting. He is the focal point of the painting, and if you notice, the little people are actually toiling with Franklin's scientific devices. This would suggest to me that the artist felt that romantics should realize the practicalities in life and change from being more romantic to more rational. However, I also believe the artist feels that a little romanticism is necessary in every person, which is why he incorporated the angels.
I believe Ben Franklin would be satisfied with this portrait of himself. From what I know of Ben Franklin, I would consider him a strict rationalist and because I believe this is a more rationalist painting, he would be satisfied with it.
2) I see elements of both romanticism and rationalism, but I would say it is more symbolic than flat-out factual, so I think it is more romantic. The little angle-babies in the background give it sort of a more Godly viewpoint, and since Ben is creating electricity in the picture, he could be portrayed as the God of Invention! And as we discussed today in class, American Romantic works of art and literature usually have a hero or the exemplary man to create a role model or idolistic symbol. The only reason I would think this might be rationalist is because of the tie-in to science (key and electricity), and since the event ACTUALLY OCCURED, there's a more factual side to the painting than would meet the eye.
I love that phrase...more than meets the eye.
I think that Benjamin Franklin would have liked how this portrait displayed him. It makes him look very heroic and the way it shows the children it makes them look like they are in awe of his greatness. I also think that the piece is a romantic piece because it depicts a scene that happened but it makes it much more dramatic like how the children are with him and the way that the weather is very intense.
After looking at this painting, I decided that I see it as a more Romantic painting, just like the majority. I agree with Jordan (and others) that even though the portrait portrays some Rationalist elements, overall, the painting gives off a more Romantic vibe. First, it really draws out emotion, which as we discussed in class is one of the key elements of a Romantic piece of art. Also, the coloring is very Romantic-like. Rationalist pieces tend to use coloring that is more realistic and factual, whereas in Romantic paintings, there are more pastel like colors and softer colors, also drawing out emotion. Another reason why the coloring makes it a Romantic painting is because it gives off a feeling of innocence (which is one of the five I's of Romanticism).
This painting is definitely romantic. I think that the artist was trying to incorporate the features of the Earth with the clouds in the background and the wind. I also think that he incorporated the angels because I think that they represent the elements of the Earth kind of. You see how they're controlling and you think about how the weather affects the Earth, maybe it connects?
The reason for it being romantic is all the Earthy elements and how it makes you use your imagination a bit with the angels.
I think that the reasoning behind Benjamin Franklin doing a painting of himself is because he sees himself as holding the power. I think that he sees himself working with nature to find electricity (which he did in the end).
I think that this painting, although it is portraying science, is Romantic. In it are many different aspects that bring in nature;the clouds, lightening, and child angels. The colors also seem to be the more dark, passionate colors that flow and entrap the viewer into its depths.I think that the presence of the child angels show the innocence piece of Romanticism. The rugged nature aspects and the innocence are brought together in this painting. With the expression of Benjamin Franklin as well as the fact that he is alone in the painting, I see him as the Romantic hero. He seems to be facing the unknown, which was electricity at that time, boldly and independently. The instruments around him imply his long struggle in accomlishing this feat. I think that maybe by combining science and romanticism together the artist is attempting to tell how the world is consited of both side by side.
In this painting, I think the artist is trying to show Ben Franklin's discovery in an angelic light. The artist seems to be turning a simple experiment into an action that was somewhat divine and holy. I think this painting could support two ideas in relation to the controversy between religion and science. For one, I think it could advocate the idea that science and religion can exist together, and even compliment each other. On the other hand, I think it could communicate that science could not exist without God, and that God leads scientists to their conclusions. I think the painting could mean this because the angels appear to be helping with the experiment and almost guiding it along, symbolizing God's connection to science.
I agree with cmeghan's idea that Benjamin Franklin would be embarrassed. I also think he would be embarrassed because he is portrayed in an angelic way. I would be quite embarrassed if I was just trying to further the world's scientific knowlege, and I was painted in a painting that seemed to glorify my work in an angelic way.
I believe that this painting is romantic because it really depicts Benjamin Franklin’s true feelings and emotions. Benjamin Franklin’s thoughts are exposed and show that he was feeling courageous and free-spirited toward what he believe to be the next greatest invention or finding ever known to man!!!!
1. I think that the artist is trying to show how science and religion can intertwine, creating new ideas. I also think that the artist was depicting Franklin in almost a God-like image, showing how his discovery of electricity was so profound, and how it changed the world.
2. The elements of the painting are more Romantic than Rationalist, in my point of view. The painting shows more of how Franklin was "followed by angels, who helped him create his ideas, that he is truly a great and wonderful thinker. He must be so in favor with the celestial to have a part of their world". If it were a Rationalist painting, I think that there would be more depictions of Franklin conducting his experiments as he would have, without the angels and clouds, etc.
3. I think that Franklin would have been humored by the fact that he is likened to a great being who controls the Earth, like Atlas, who is surrounded by celestial beings. I also think that he would have been content with the fact that his discovery was so profound, because it changed the world forever, and he knew it was an important part of the puzzle.
I agree with Brain in my interpretation of the painting. Although it represents the conflict between rationalism and romanticism, rationalism seems to be in the lead, with Franklin as the focal point of the picture. Additionally, even though the angels are fiddling with the experiment, he is still achieving the desired result (and even my argument came out sounding very rationalist).
However, there are certainly some very romantic ideas within the painting. I personally see Franklin as the romantic hero; he appears very intense and independent, yet at the same time, thoughtful and almost a little bit cold.
I agree with everybody. The artist is trying to show that to have romanticism, you must have rationalism. They must work with eachother, like there is no good without evil and vice versa. Romanticism and rationalism clash like evolution and religion. The artist was also trying to show this. I think the painting is both and because of this, i feel confused and conflicted inside. I don't really know what to get out of it becasue the opposite elements. Franklin would be proud of his accomplishments and that he is being portrayed this way.
Like Meghan, I think that this painting is trying to show romanticism and rationalism coming together; as well as science and religion coming together. The painting looks to be in a very romantic style, especially with the colors. Maybe Ben Franklin was supposed to be portrayed as the hero; bringing ideas concerning science into the world. But then the angels could represent how people often hold back from rational or scientific ideas because of their religions. The angels appear to be pulling on Franklin's kite and kite string. <--Possibly trying to hold him back?
The artist is trying to show that religon and science combine to work together to help better the lives of American People. Ben Franklin believed in God, but he also believed in the power of science. this painting shows that science and religon do not contrast. This painting is definately romantic because Franklin is sitting in nature, connected with the world and the heavens. He is in touch with the heavens and earth, and it shows the best in man. I think Ben Franklin appreciated this picture becasue it gives him credit for the discovery of electricity, but i really bet he didnt care that much.
I agree with Matt, the blend depicts the views of the people at the time.
The painting romantizes Benjamin Franklin because the background is a lot similar to the other romantic are we've seen. I think Franklin would appreciate how heroic this makes him look.
I think that the painting is more romantic then rationalist because of the angel babies in the background. They create a sense of fantasy and make the painting less about benjamin franklin and more about elightnenment.
I think that benjamin franklin would think that this is an incorrect portrayl of himself and his achievements. The little babies and the light coming through the clouds makes it less about him. I don't think he would dislike it but he might like something else better.
I would say this painting is definitely romantic. I doubt Ben Franklin actually channeled electricity through his hand while naked babies held his kite up, so this is probably a romantic glorification of what actually happened. History portrays Ben Franklin as a humble and modest man, so I'm not sure if he would have been particularly glad that this painting made him look like some sort of hero. I'm sure he would've been honored though.
First of all, I think Ben probably laughed his socks off when he saw this painting. From his virtues it's pretty clear that he's something of a rationalist. I can't see him ever looking at his experiment in that light. He saw it as merely an experiment. I think this piece is much more Romantic than Rationalist. The picture focuses more on the idea of what came from the discovery than what the discovery entailed. A rationalist might depict a picture of how they experiment was performed. The angels and colors and such give a ton of weight to what came after. It depicts Benny boy as something of a god for what he discovered and what it meant for mankind. That's why I see it as a romantic piece.
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