George Caleb Bingham, "Lighter Relieving a Steamboat Aground"
George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879) painted "Lighter Relieving a Steamboat Aground" in 1847. (It is interesting to note that Samuel Clemons was an adolescent when Bingham painted this scene, so maybe it was Bingham's images that helped influence Clemons?)
Bingham is rightfully considered a Missouri artist, but he was much more than that. He traveled to different areas of the United States and Europe to gain an education perfecting his artistic talent, but eventually did settle back in Missouri with his family to paint and serve his government in several different posts. He believed in the Union and worked to help preserve it.
The composition of today's painting is right out of geometry class. Stack two equal rectangles on top of one another and then insert an equilateral triangle over them. Insert your primary subject inside the triangle, coloring with a bright, solo color. All other details are contained inside the main triangle or along the division of the two rectangles. Simple, smart, and beautiful.
In reading about this painting I learned these flatboats were prevalent along the Mississippi during this pre-Civil War time. They assisted in carrying people and goods up the river to settlers having established homes upstream. Plus they did what our image is portraying. The steamboat in center right has run aground and it must be relieved of its burdens so it will be lighter, and thus able to be pushed and float back out to deeper water. The men in the flatboat have taken cargo, and maybe a few people, off the boat, and are now going to a final destination. The four crew members seem to be paying full attention to our center actor, allowing us to imagine how this man is so visibly captivating them.
"Lighter Relieving a Steamboat Aground" was completed in 1847. It measures 30 inches high and 35 inches wide. It is part of the permanent collection of The White House, Washington D.C. where it is on display.
Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.
What an interesting composition you described. I have always been fascinated by river history. I observed much river activity from my aunts house in the 40's and 50's, and the hills on the far fright take me to my childhood home. His paintings give much information. My eye goes from the red pants to the torn shirt on the shoulder of the man on the left. These fellows are all familiar with the adventure and challenges of the Mississippi. The luminous background and the posture of the boatmen give a relaxed mood and a felling of communality. Their oars are out of the water so I assume they are floating. Half of the painting is sky, which gives it depth. I'm guessing their ages reflect experience. I like his work a lot.
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