17th & 18th Centuries

The 17th and 18th century was a period in human history, over the span of around 200 years. It was a period that was known as ‘The Enlightenment” and also a period, where such things as colonialism was taking strong roots in society, for example with the old English, Dutch and French empire. One key event during the late 18th century, was the French revolution in 1789, which was shook up the entire continent. On the date of the 14th of July, in Paris, the bastille, the name of the movement which began the French revolution, was stormed. This movement is often described as an important event for liberty, and even today, it is still celebrated in some form, within France.1

This era was also a time in which the atlantic slave trade was taking hold. Slaves were being exported like cargo from Africa, and transported to Europe, or the Americas, and being sold, usually to wealthy people, such as those who would need them to be fit for work under their command. An example of the places where slaves were forced to work, included plantations, and as servants in households. The research will highlight a piece of artwork containing elements of slavery later on in the text.

During this time period of the 17th & 18th century, it was a time where science was becoming increasingly practised and studied. I will start my research off, by taking about a few key historical figures. My first figure that I will highlight for research, is Galileo Galilei. He is often credited as the man who invented the telescope, as well as other key achievements. He is usually credited as the man who invented the telescope. In fact, he stole the idea for the telescope, off a Dutch inventor named Hans Lippershey, (1570-1619).2

Galileo was an inventor, and scientist, who notably studied the Jovian system. He is credited as being the man who discovered Jupiter’s moons, Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. All of these moons were named after select Greek Gods. He was also the second historical figure, to notably claim the the Earth revolved around the sun, sparking a heated debate at the time, between himself and the church.  I quote here a sentence from Galileo himself, as featured in the book.

“We shall conclude, in agreement with the theories of the Pythagoreans and of Copernicus, that the planets revolve around then sun”.3 Galileo Galilei

This lead to a massive outcry, from religious figures and organisations such as the church, as it was highly blasphemous to speak against the views, that the Earth was at the centre of everything, as it was God’s creation. In reality, as proven by unprecedented science, the Earth is a planetary body that was created by the sun via an accretion disk, and also revolves around the star, as it has done for billions of years. 

Galileo was sentenced to heresy, and life imprisonment, and to also publicly go against his findings, and exclaim under the church’s authority, that the Earth was in fact (falsely) the centre of everything, and also that the Sun, as well as the universe revolved around it, instead of vice versa.

The second historical figure that this essay will research into, is William Hogarth. William Hogarth (1697-1764) was an artist who created work during the 17th century. He was born in England, and spent the great majority of his life, in London. In the year of 1714, Hogarth was given the role of an apprentice, to a silver plate engraver. From this, in 1720 he built his own engraving business. There he crafted commissioned coats of arms, engravings and book illustrations. One of his more notable clients that he produced pieces for, was Samuel Butler.4

(Insert image here from referenced book)

In the 1720’s, Hogarth began to turn more toward painting, after studying the study of Sir James Thornhill, a renowned ‘history painter’ as well as images of group portraits. He also married the daughter, of Thornhill. In 1731 he successfully finished his first major series of paintings, ‘A Harlot’s Progress’. He reproduced these prints, and sold them as a very  popular piece of art. During the course of his life, Hogarth went against the art laid down by foreign connoisseurs and people known as ‘Servile artists’.5 These types of people, tended to copy existing artists, instead of learning from the natural world themselves.6

Highlighting a notable painting depicting property and wealth now, called Mr and Mrs Andrews. This is a painting by Gainsborough. The image which can be found below (figure 17)

Figure 1

portrays the figures in the image, as being powerful and wealthy. In it, they show off their vast amount of land property, and also their lifestyle. Because the man is holding a gun, and the woman is sitting down, it displays the mans dominance, especially as there is the imagery of a dog, looking up to his master, and the woman is sitting, perhaps a form of submission.

Another image that will be depicted in this research, is a piece by the artist Jean-Marc Nattier. In the piece below (figure 28 )

Figure 2

It displays a wealthy female, posing with her slaves. The location appears to be the inside of a grand house. When you look at the expressions and poses of the slaves, they almost seem to be looking up to her, as a superior and master. To back this point up, she is positioned as higher than all the other slaves, as most of whom are sitting on the floor. Note the lower left, and right females, who are looking up toward the seated woman. Also, take note of the differences of clothing. The seated female is wearing a fancy dress, whilst the slaves are wearing bland pieces of clothing.

The image below (figure 39)is another painting depicting wealth, as well as class levels. This will be discussed more fully after the break here.

Figure 3

The piece to be discussed is entitled "Captain Lord George Graham in his cabin", and was painted as an oil on canvas in 1745.10 It depicts a maritime environment, as the backdrop contains the interior design of a ships cabin. There are clear depictions of wealth, as well as rank/class in this painting. The captain is the figure with the highest rank, he is wearing fine clothes, as well as smoking a pipe.
In the right hand side of the image, there is an African sailor, and it could be possible that this particular figure is a slave, or is a descendant from a slave. Also, note the animals in the piece (in particular the dog on the left). Like the painting entitled "Mr and Mrs Andrews" by Thomas Gainsborough, the dog is looking up to the captain, as if the captain is the dominant master.

References Used:
1.  Robbins, K. (2005) 'Britain and Europe 1789 - 2005'. Pg: 17 Sevenoaks: Hodder & Stoughton.
2.  Article: (internet) “Who invented the telescope - Hans Lippershey, Website: ’History of the microscope’, URL: http://www.history-of-the-microscope.org/hans-lippershey-invented-the-telescope.php, Accessed: 8:59pm, 2.3.14.
3.  Bouwsma, W.J. (2000) 'The Waning of the Renaissance 1550 - 1640'. Pg: 79-80 New Haven: Yale University Press.
4.  Author: Paul Hyland, Book: ‘The Enlightenment’, Pg: 275, Author:  2003, Oxon, Routledge.
5.  Author: Paul Hyland, Book: ‘The Enlightenment’, Pg: 275, Author:  2003, Oxon, Routledge.
6.  Author: Paul Hyland, Book:‘The Enlightenment’, Pg: 275, Author:  2003, Oxon, Routledge.
7.  Figure 1: “Mr and Mrs Andrews”, Artist: Thomas Gainsborough, c1750, Author: Paul Hyland, Book: 'Britain in the eighteenth century 1688-1820'. 2003, Oxon, Routledge.
8.  Figure 2: (internet) " Mademoiselle de Clermont en Sultane", Artist: Jean-Marc Nattier, c1733, URL: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Mademoiselle_de_Clermont_en_Sultane.jpg/575px-Mademoiselle_de_Clermont_en_Sultane.jpg, viewed: 11:44pm (27.2.24)
9. Figure 3: "Captain Lord George Graham in his cabin", Artist: William Hogarth, c1745, Hallett, M. and Riding, C. (2007) Hogarth. London: Tate Gallery Publications.
10. Hallett, M. and Riding, C. (2007) Hogarth. Pg: 116, London: Tate Gallery Publications.




Alphabetical Ordered Bibliography:
Article: “Who invented the telescope - Hans Lippershey, Website: ’History of the microscope’, URL: http://www.history-of-the-microscope.org/hans-lippershey-invented-the-telescope.php, Accessed: 8:59pm, 2.3.14.

Author: Paul Hyland, Book: ‘The Enlightenment’, Author: 2003, Oxon, Routledge.

Bouwsma, W.J. (2000) 'The Waning of the Renaissance 1550 - 1640'. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Figure 1: “Mr and Mrs Andrews”, Artist: Thomas Gainsborough, c1750, Author: Paul Hyland, Book: 'Britain in the eighteenth century 1688-1820'. 2003, Oxon, Routledge.

Figure 2: " Mademoiselle de Clermont en Sultane", Artist: Jean-Marc Nattier, c1733, URL: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Mademoiselle_de_Clermont_en_Sultane.jpg/575px-Mademoiselle_de_Clermont_en_Sultane.jpg, viewed: 11:44pm (27.2.24)

Figure 3: "Captain Lord George Graham in his cabin", Artist: William Hogarth, c1745, Hallett, M. and Riding, C. (2007) Hogarth. London: Tate Gallery Publications.

Hallett, M. and Riding, C. (2007) Hogarth. London: Tate Gallery Publications.

Robbins, K. (2005) 'Britain and Europe 1789 - 2005'. Sevenoaks: Hodder & Stoughton.