Art and Artistic Reactions to the Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution was possible because of increased trade, and increased trade accelerated the industrial revolution. The focus of many studies of the industrial revolution focus on the 1800s where factories, mechanized textiles, steam power, and the use of steel transformed the urban landscapes of England, the United States, and much of Europe. Although these societies in the 19th century remained primarily agrarian, the industrial revolution contributed significantly to the urbanization and growth of cities. With urban growth came pollution and overcrowding in slums, but also progress in areas such as city planning and sanitation, among other developments.

 

The industrial revolution also changed the way artists worked. Most used the tools and paints that were now mass-produced at factories but considerably cheaper. Many incorporated the industrial revolution into at least some of their work. Others reevaluated their perspective on reality as they witnessed increasing demands for resources and the colonization of less developed countries. In attempts to capture the events of modernity, many artists started to critically examine their society's status quo and the basic foundations of art. (Gardner’s Art through the Ages, 853-855)

Coalbrookdale by Night, 1801, Philip James De Loutherbourg

Above is a painting of the newly industrialized village of Shropshire in western England. Loutherbourg contrasts a raging blaze from the factory with an idyllic woodland and rustic landscape. The painting captures the artists’ image of a particular moment in time while the dark colors used to paint the simple rural inhabitants are almost overwhelmed by the burst of bright light that draw the viewer’s attention to the center of the painting, away from the inhabitants and instead toward the industrial flames. The mood of painting suggests Loutherbourg viewed the industrialization of England negatively. However, the painting records the transformation of England’s economy from local and agrarian to one of increased productivity, a rapidly growing economy, and connected to the world through trade.

Fur Traders Descending the Missouri, George Caleb Bingham, 1845

This painting depicts one simple trade scene of the 1800s in the United States which reveals much about trade and transportation of the time. Although small canoes and boats such at the one illustrated were increasingly rare on the Missouri by 1845, Bingham appears to capture a moment in time. Although the subjects may be presented accurately in respect to their wealth and mode of transportation, there is an artistic perspective present that must be considered. The painting comes from the artists' point of view and Bingham’s intent or purpose for painting this scene can be speculated but not confirmed. It is difficult to discern whether he is lamenting the demise of the local fur trading way of life, or if he simply wants to record the event knowing that it will soon become history. (World Art: The Essential Illustrated History. 192.)

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Thomas Moran, 1872

This painting is interesting not because it depicts the industrial revolution, but because it is a product of industrialization. Moran painting several paintings of Yellowstone, but to finish his paintings, he took photographs and combined them with sketches for the final composition. Because of advances in transportation, Moran was able to get to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Once he arrived at the Canyon, he used modern technology – the camera – to assist in the construction of his artwork. Despite taking photographs, he dramatically interprets the scene to achieve a particular image that he wishes to create. Although he could have painted the image with pinpoint accuracy, he uses soft lines to keep the dreamy quality of the Canyon in his final piece.

Claude Monet, Impression: Sunrise, 1872

Monet helped usher in a new era in art with his painting style. Named impressionism by his critics at first, impressionism seeks to capture a moment in time without the detail and smoothness of previous painting eras. Monet and the impressionists revolutionized art by exaggerating the texture of their brushstrokes and seeking to leave viewers with deep emotions rather than a definite image. In some ways, impressionism’s lack of clarity captures the chaos many felt with the pace of the industrial revolution.

Thus, artists found uses for many of the advances in technology during the Industrial Revolution. However, as new inventions revolutionized their way of life frequently during the 19th century – machines, trains, radio, electricity, telephone, camera, and steel, among others – artists began to respond differently. Some sought to record history, others wanted to share their view of the industrialization, and others, like Monet, used art to portray their subjective responses to nature and society.

Sources:

Art Fundamentals, chpt. 8

World Art Atlas, 192, 215

World Art: The Essential Illustrated History. Flame Tree Publishing, 2006. 192

Gardner’s Art through the Ages, 853-855, 869-870