Classical Era blog The Growing Economic Power of the Middle Class

 

                Background

 During The Growing Economic Power of the Middle Class in the 1700s artists started transitioning to making paintings of everyday life, landscapes, and portraits of middle-class people. The rise of wealth made it so that more individuals could afford commissions. The artworks below will show examples of everyday life, portraits and landscapes. The growing economic power of the middle class helped artists be able to profit and sell their paintings for more. Since the industry was offering  more jobs, more people worked and were able to spend large amounts of money either responsibly or irresponsibly. 

                                   Artworks 

 Marriage A-la-Mode: 1, The Marriage Settlement

William Hogarth made a series of six paintings this is the first one in the series called  Marriage A-la-Mode: 1, The Marriage Settlement. It was created around 1743 its 69.9 x 90.8cm. These paintings were supposed to be engraved and then sold to the Earl of Squanders, The Earl is arranging a marriage of his son to the daughter of a rich Alderman of the City of London. It shows that money and financial stability are more important than love, Hogarth depicted the social commentary and moral narratives during the growth of economic power. Looking at this painting the colors that he chose catch my eye the reds and blues make it feel rich but the value is very dark and almost gloomy the line work and detail of each person and background image are very prominent. I like this painting but I would not own anything like this. 

Jean-Siméon Chardin created The Silver Goblet in France, Europe it is 16 7/8 x 19in and was finished in 1728. In his artwork, Jean mainly focused on still everyday life and objects in people's homes. Looking at his work it is mostly of still objects or of fruit and all still life the goblet is a luxury item that focuses on the taste of social life and the rising of the growth. Looking at this space fits very well when describing this, you can see the depth and dimension of the vase and objects on the table. The form of the glass in the back brings almost an eerie feeling to it with the shape and placement since it is a dark background my eye first noticed the vase in the background rather than the goblet because it felt out of place and my eyes easily attracted to it. I would own a piece like this I would just not know where to put it but I like the sense of what the picture gives. 

Thomas Gainsborough painted Mr and Mrs Andrews in 1750 it is 69.8cm x119.4cm it is a portrait of a wealthy landscape that captures the social status and lifestyle of this married couple which relates back to my theme. It was praised for its charm and freshness. Looking at this painting it feels rich and a sense of pride. The line art is where you can see all the strokes which gives it a lot of detail the first thing that attracts my eyes is the background and not the couple. The background gives me a warm feeling a sense of relief and a cozy background to it. I would not own something like this even though it is a nice painting it just isn't something that would be in my home. 

All three of these artists relate to this time period of the economic growth of the middle class. I love seeing how each one took a different approach to what they thought the growing was.Between portraying people, to objects, landscape even everyday life. Each was all so different but all fit within the same timeframe. 

                                                            Bibliography 

Hogarth, William. “William Hogarth, Marriage A-La-Mode: 1, the Marriage Settlement.” William Hogarth | Marriage A-La-Mode: 1, The Marriage Settlement | NG113 | National Gallery, London, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/william-hogarth-marriage-a-la-mode-1-the-marriage-settlement. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

“The Silver Goblet.” Saint Louis Art Museum, 10 Mar. 2024, www.slam.org/collection/objects/33818/.

“Development of the Middle Class (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/the-gilded-age/gilded-age/a/development-of-the-middle-class. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

“Jean-Siméon Chardin, the Silver Goblet, c. 1728.” French Art, frenchart.umsl.edu/home/english/eighteenth-century/jean-simeon-chardin-the-silver-goblet-c-1728/#:~:text=The%20silver%20goblet%20and%20the,the%20glass%2C%20and%20the%20fruit. https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/history/us-history/rise-of-the-middle-class/#:~:text=With%20industrialization%20and%20the%20expansion,made%20lasting%20impacts%20on%20society. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

“Mr and Mrs Andrews.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Mar. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_and_Mrs_Andrews.