The Baptism of Pocahontas

This painting by John Gadsby Chapman was painted in 1839 and hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.   More than likely Chapman used Pocahontas as his subject because he had already used her as a subject in 1836.

The year was 1613 or 1614 and Pocahontas, the daughter of Algonkian chief Powhatan was baptized  and given the Anglican name Rebecca.

The painting marks two significant events……it might possibly a depiction of the earliest or least one of the earliest conversion to Christianity and along with Pocahontas’ marriage to John Rolfe created a time of peace between the colonists and the tribes of the Tidewater region.

Look behind Pocahontas……John Rolfe is standing behind her.   Notice the various faces in the groupings.

The painting was installed in the Rotunda in 1840 which might seem strange since the Indian Removals were underway during that period, but this website explains the painting highlights the lofty intentions of the Jamestown settlers and condemns the obstinacy of those who can be understood as ignoble savages.  It propagates the idea of the  the noble savage in Pocahontas, one who is said repeatedly in the literature of the 19^th century to have embodied Christian virtues even before she was converted.  The painting also appears to make a case for the harsh treatment of antagonistic, unassimilated Indians.  The policy of “removal” had begun seven years earlier, and it was apparent at the time Chapman’s work appeared that the entire continent would soon be invaded by ambitious American settlers.

The painting appeared on the reverse of the First Charter $20 National Bank notes in 1863 and 1875.

Chapman created the painting in the loft of a barn on G Street in Washington D.C. and endured several tragedies while the work was ongoing.   His son died in 1838 and his daughter only survived ten days after being born premature.   His financial situation was terrible and was plagued by several debts.    He worked on the painting quickly so he could be paid, however, Chapman noted on his daybook that the fee hardly covered his expenses.

Famous Art Thefts: The Amber Room

The Nazis took possession of many works of art as they marched across Europe during World War II.   It's estimated they looted twenty percent of the world's art.

Hitler had grand plans to fill his Fuhrer's Museum with stolen art.

One of the stolen treasures was the contents of the Amber Room from Catherine's Palace near Saint Petersburg.  The Germans dismantled the room and took it.

Unfortunately, the contents were never returned.  Many think the amber room was destroyed by bombs, lost in a sunken submarine or still hidden away in some forgotten place.  

You can find an article regarding the Amber Room at Smithsonian Online.

The Photography of Henry Cartier Bresson

One thing I can say with certainty…Henry Cartier Bresson led an interesting life.   Most folks in the know consider him to be the father of modern photojournalism, but his creative life began as a painter….later he switched to photography….and even later in life returned to the canvas.

He made the switch to photography when he came upon the realization during his 30s that a photograph could fix eternity in an instant.  He began traveling the world to take pictures.

His first photojournalism job was to cover the coronation of King George VI.    His pictures cover a unique perspective since his photos show the people along the King’s coronation route…..and none of the King.

During World War II Cartier Breeson joned the French army and in June, 1940 during the Battle of France he was captured by the Germans and held as a POW.   All total he spent 35 months as a prisoner, but on this third try was able to escape.  He spent the remainder of the war documenting the Occupation and the Liberation of France through photographs along with other scenes from the war.

After the war he formed Magnum Photos with Robert Capa, David Seymour, William Vandivert and George Rodger.  Their cooperative picture agency split up photo assignments throughout the world.   Cartier-Breeson covered China and India, and his partners covered other areas.

During his career with Magnum Cartier-Breeson covered Gandhi’s funeral in India in 1948 and the last stage of the Chinese Civil War.

In 1952, Cartier-Breeson published his book, The Decisive Moment…..a book of 125 photos from the east and west.   Cartier-Breeson stated, “There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.”  The cover was drawn by Henry Matisse.

In 1957, Cartier-Breeson told the Washington Post….”There is a creative faction of a second when you are taking a picture.  Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.   That is the moment the photographer is creative.”He became the first Western photographer to work “freely” in the post-war Soviet Union.

By 1966, he left Magnum to concentrate solely on portraiture and landscapes.  By 1968, Cartier-Breeson turned back to drawing and painting admitting that had said all he could through his photography.   He married Magnum photographer, Martine Franck, thirty years younger than himself and had a daughter with her.

Photographs of Cartier-Breeson are scarce….but they do exist like this one.  

He didn’t like having his picture made.  In 1975 when he received an honorary degree from Oxford University he held a paper in front of his face.

Imagine all of the history this artist witnessed!!!