We often think of history in terms of books. The written word. After all, that's how man records his history right? True, but there is also a genre of historians that use a brush, a pencil or chisel to record past events on a more emotional level. They call themselves Historical Artists.
By the way, to the left is my mini-illustration (4"x4", gouache) of Alfred Waud at Gettysburg. He was a war correspondent who used a sketch pad instead of a notepad. He's a whole blog entry by himself, but I thought it was a relevant image. Ok, maybe it's not, but let's not over think it.
Keith Rocco, a modern practitioner of historical art, gave a nice presentation at a recent show about the historic historical artists (that wasn't a typo). Folks like Howard Pyle, Fredrick Remington, Edouard Detaille, and Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier to name a few. There are many, many more. In future posts, I'll pick a few out for a closer look but they all had the ability to bring history to life and produce a direct emotional response without text. Historical art is of necessity, also realist art. Some are more painterly in their approach while others are more photographic. All forms require accomplished draftsmanship, composition and color sense. Those are hard enough to master. They must also be historians. They must know period dress and customs. They must also have thick skins because there is always one smart-ass in the crowd that will spot the one minor inaccuracy! (we all know these types, don't we? damn stitch-counters!).
History is my muse too. Recently I've become involved in one of the few events that brings together many of the modern historical artists to one place. History Meets the Arts (the website will be up by the end of the week) will take place April 18-20 this year in Gettysburg, PA. If you've never been, this is sensory overload for a history geek! Whatever your period of interest is, there's someone there who paints or sculpts it. Each participating gallery will sponsor a number of artists who will be on hand to meet and greet the public. Take advantage of it. It's one rare occasion where you can yak all you want about history and no one will roll their eyes and sigh. That is, until you point out that the Umpteenth Umptyfratz Regiment never actually wore the green plaid trousers and the artist should have made them blue. Nobody wants to hear that.
So, when art and history cross paths in April, be there. Can you hear the muse? I know you can.
Follow her to Gettysburg. See you there.
Here's the gallery line-up:
American Historical Art (where some of my work will be...I know, big deal)
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