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Summary and Objective
George Fuller was a successful itinerant portrait painter from Deerfield, Massachusetts, with a studio in both New York and Boston in the 1840's and 1850's. By looking at some examples of his paintings in the digital collection of the American Centuries Website, students will understand that artists are influenced by the place and time period in which they live and work.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
Look at the portrait of George Fuller and read his biography by clicking on the words "George Fuller" under his portrait. Where is George from? Where did he study art and with whom? How many studios did he have, and where? Why did he return from his travels in Europe? In what museums can we find George Fuller's paintings today?
Step 2.
Click on the letter that young George writes to his father, Aaron Fuller, from Boston. Try to read the original letter, and then click on the "show text" icon to read a transcription. Why is young George writing to his father? What is he excited about? Click on the name of this new invention and find its definition. How might this new invention change George's artwork?
Step 3.
George Fuller began his painting career as an itinerant(moving from place to place) portrait painter, and he became very successful. Find the portrait of Hattie Fuller Abercrombie. Who is she? Write down what you can tell about Miss Abercrombie from her portrait. What do you think she is holding in her hand? Learn more about George Fuller by clicking on his house and his studio in the "see also" panel. Where is this studio located?
Step 4.
In the 1850's, George was painting landscapes. Look at his two landscape paintings, "The Mill" and "Connecticut Valley". What is a landscape? How is it different from a portrait? Use the "Look Closer" feature with one of the paintings, your choice, and enlarge it to "800x600" pixels. Write down what is happening in the painting. What do you see to support your opinion? What is happening in America during this time that might account for his painting landscapes as well as portraits? What is happening in his personal life?
Step 5.
In the late 1850's, George Fuller traveled in the Deep South and produced many sketches of what he observed of plantation life and slavery. Click on the sketch of "Ellis,Field Hand". What medium has Fuller used to make this sketch? Read the accompanying paragraph and answer these questions: What is happening to the economy? How does this affect Fuller's artwork? What is his position on slavery? Go to "see also", and click on some other examples of his sketches from this time period - "Woman Washing", "Our Page Harry", "Negroes Waiting at the Depot" and "African-American Woman Sewing". Do you see anything that may hint at his opinion of slavery?
Step 6.
When Fuller comes back home, he paints a picture from his travels in Alabama. Click on this painting called "Negro Nurse with a Child". Notice the fancy frame. Click on the "Detail 1" button under the painting and observe the details that Fuller has included. What year did he paint this picture? What is happening in American history at this time? Do you think that history influences the work of an artist? Why or why not?
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