Art for the Middle Classes

America's Illustrated Magazines of the 1840s

Nonfiction, Art & Architecture, General Art, Art History, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book Art for the Middle Classes by Cynthia Lee Patterson, University Press of Mississippi
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Cynthia Lee Patterson ISBN: 9781604737370
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi Publication: October 1, 2010
Imprint: University Press of Mississippi Language: English
Author: Cynthia Lee Patterson
ISBN: 9781604737370
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Publication: October 1, 2010
Imprint: University Press of Mississippi
Language: English

How did the average American learn about art in the mid-nineteenth century? With public art museums still in their infancy, and few cities and towns large enough to support art galleries or print shops, Americans relied on mass-circulated illustrated magazines. One group of magazines in particular, known collectively as the Philadelphia pictorials, circulated fine art engravings of paintings, some produced exclusively for circulation in these monthlies, to an eager middle-class reading audience. These magazines achieved print circulations far exceeding those of other print media (such as illustrated gift books, or catalogs from art-union membership organizations).

Godey's, Graham's, Peterson's, Miss Leslie's, and Sartain's Union Magazine included two to three fine art engravings monthly, "tipped in" to the fronts of the magazines, and designed for pull-out and display. Featuring the work of a fledgling group of American artists who chose American rather than European themes for their paintings, these magazines were crucial to the distribution of American art beyond the purview of the East Coast elite to a widespread middle-class audience. Contributions to these magazines enabled many an American artist and engraver to earn, for the first time in the young nation's history, a modest living through art.

Author Cynthia Lee Patterson examines the economics of artistic production, innovative engraving techniques, regional imitators, the textual "illustrations" accompanying engravings, and the principal artists and engravers contributing to these magazines.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How did the average American learn about art in the mid-nineteenth century? With public art museums still in their infancy, and few cities and towns large enough to support art galleries or print shops, Americans relied on mass-circulated illustrated magazines. One group of magazines in particular, known collectively as the Philadelphia pictorials, circulated fine art engravings of paintings, some produced exclusively for circulation in these monthlies, to an eager middle-class reading audience. These magazines achieved print circulations far exceeding those of other print media (such as illustrated gift books, or catalogs from art-union membership organizations).

Godey's, Graham's, Peterson's, Miss Leslie's, and Sartain's Union Magazine included two to three fine art engravings monthly, "tipped in" to the fronts of the magazines, and designed for pull-out and display. Featuring the work of a fledgling group of American artists who chose American rather than European themes for their paintings, these magazines were crucial to the distribution of American art beyond the purview of the East Coast elite to a widespread middle-class audience. Contributions to these magazines enabled many an American artist and engraver to earn, for the first time in the young nation's history, a modest living through art.

Author Cynthia Lee Patterson examines the economics of artistic production, innovative engraving techniques, regional imitators, the textual "illustrations" accompanying engravings, and the principal artists and engravers contributing to these magazines.

More books from University Press of Mississippi

Cover of the book Succeeding against Great Odds by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Invisible Ball of Dreams by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Monsters in the Machine by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Let the World Listen Right by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Conversations with Will D. Campbell by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book The Berimbau by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Gloria Swanson by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Long, Long Tales from the Russian North by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Alexander Payne by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book The Lakes of Pontchartrain by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Faulkner and Whiteness by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Jujitsu for Christ by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Made in Mexico by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Superman in Myth and Folklore by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book From Buchenwald to Carnegie Hall by Cynthia Lee Patterson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy