Art Analysis: Rachel Weeping by Charles Willson Peale vs. Virgin and Child by Hugo Van Der Goes
Thesis: I am analyzing two paintings, “Rachel Weeping” by Charles Willson Peale, and “Virgin and Child” by Hugo Van Der Goes. I will be concentrating on the differences between the two paintings which were created in two very different time periods, in two very different worlds, during two very different points in their creators respective lives; making these paintings that seem similar as first glance, almost polar opposites.
1.
The first painting I will be comparing is Rachel Weeping, which can be found at the Philadelphia Art Museum.
1.
This painting was created by Charles Willson Peale. Peale was a portraiture painter, and was the first to paint the first president of the United States of America, George Washington.
1.
Peale was born in Chester, Queen Annes County, Maryland,
2.
He lived an extraordinary accomplished life, born April 15th 1741, and finally resting in death on February 22nd 1827.
3.
Peale was influenced by a vast amount of scientist and artist, naming all of his sons after famous men of science or art. These include Rembrant, Raphelle, and Titian.
4.
Peale was an accomplished painter, and almost always painted portraits. Once he added a wooden step to his painting, making it 3D before 3D was even thought us. Thus, one could say he dabbled in sculpture.
2.
Rachel Weeping is in my opinion one of Peales most moving and personal pieces. It is a painting of his wife Rachel weeping over the corpse of their daughter Margerat, who was a victim of smallpox.
1.
He started the painting in 1772, only depicting Margerat in her burial clothes. In 1776, he enlarged the painting, adding Rachel and medicine bottles. In 1818 he repainted the piece. For comparison purposes, I will be using the 1776 rendition.
2.
There is a lot of discussion as to whom this piece was made for. My personal belief is he painted his wife mourning his childs death as a way to mourn her passing himself.
3.
Peale funded this creation
1.
The first painting I will be comparing is Rachel Weeping, which can be found at the Philadelphia Art Museum.
1.
This painting was created by Charles Willson Peale. Peale was a portraiture painter, and was the first to paint the first president of the United States of America, George Washington.
1.
Peale was born in Chester, Queen Annes County, Maryland,
2.
He lived an extraordinary accomplished life, born April 15th 1741, and finally resting in death on February 22nd 1827.
3.
Peale was influenced by a vast amount of scientist and artist, naming all of his sons after famous men of science or art. These include Rembrant, Raphelle, and Titian.
4.
Peale was an accomplished painter, and almost always painted portraits. Once he added a wooden step to his painting, making it 3D before 3D was even thought us. Thus, one could say he dabbled in sculpture.
2.
Rachel Weeping is in my opinion one of Peales most moving and personal pieces. It is a painting of his wife Rachel weeping over the corpse of their daughter Margerat, who was a victim of smallpox.
1.
He started the painting in 1772, only depicting Margerat in her burial clothes. In 1776, he enlarged the painting, adding Rachel and medicine bottles. In 1818 he repainted the piece. For comparison purposes, I will be using the 1776 rendition.
2.
There is a lot of discussion as to whom this piece was made for. My personal belief is he painted his wife mourning his childs death as a way to mourn her passing himself.
3.
Peale funded this creation