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 What She Go Do by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book C. L. R. James and Creolization by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Comics and Adaptation by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Desegregating Desire by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book China in the Mix by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Florida's Miracle Strip by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Swing, That Modern Sound by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Twenty-First-Century Feminisms in Children's and Adolescent Literature by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book The Nominee by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Southern White Ministers and the Civil Rights Movement by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Urbane Revolutionary by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Sitting Pretty by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book City of Islands by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Doubled Plots by Cynthia Lee Patterson
Cover of the book Panel to the Screen 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