colonial art & architecture

Colonial Art & Architecture

AP US History

John Brewster

Primitive

Winthrop ChandlerCaptain Samuel Chandler, c. 1780

Primitive

The Denison Limner (Probably Joseph Steward)Elizabeth Denison, c. 1790

Primitive

Peaceable KingdomEdward Hicks (1780-1849)

“The wolf shall also dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”

(Isa. 11:6)

Primitive

West, Benjamin. The Death of General Wolfe 1770

Copley, John SingletonPaul Reverec. 1768-70

Copley, John Singleton Watson and the Shark 1778

Copley, John Singleton Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mifflin

1773

Copley, John Singleton

Architecture 17th Century Plan

- one room deep with prominent central chimney- a second story overhang on front and/or side with lean-to added to rear of building

Doorway - entrance on long side of building- little concern for symmetry

Windows - small - few in number - asymmetrically placed. - framed simply - usually casement - diagonal shaped leaded panes

Roofline - steep pitch - many gables - massive central chimney

Materials - timber frame construction - unpainted wood - narrow clapboards.

Decoration - minimal

The Capt. John Turner House 1668“The House of the Seven Gables”

Furniture17th Century

Plan -classical symmetry of floor plan and facade composition- central hall flanked by 1 or 2 rooms was common-central chimney replaced by end/side chimneys

Doorway - main doorway often had a row of rectangular windows ( called "lights" ) in the door itself or above- columns capped by a cornice or triangular pediment frequently framed the door. -door had 6 or 8 panels with smaller panels in middle.

Windows - double-hung sash- symmetrical placement- pedimented dormers

Roofline - usually gambrel- sometimes gabled.

Materials - wood or brick.

Decoration - molded cornice- quoined corners

Georgian Colonial 18th Century

The Crowninshield Bentley House c.1727-30

P. Harrison: Redwood Library, Newport, RI, 1748-50

Furniture18th Century

Plan - usually a central hall plan, five-bay facade arrangement with central front door- symmetry of Georgian style retained

Doorway - often semi-elliptical or semi-circular fanlight with flanking sidelights- frequently decorated by columns- semi-circular or rectangular porticos were common -Usually a six-panel door

Windows - Narrow proportions with simple casing and slender mullions - often stone lintels over windows in brick examples

Roofline - gable or shallow hip roof often hidden by balustrade - tall, slender chimneys appeared at ends of building

Materials - wood or brick - sometimes flatboards on the front facade with brick on the sides and rear

Decoration - simplicity and lightness of detail - more refined than the heavier Georgian style

Federal Early 19th Century

The Peirce-Nichols House 1782, 1801

The Gardner-Pingree House 1805

FurnitureEarly 19th Century