Major General John Sullivan 1776

Editor: Here we have "Major General John Sullivan," a charcoal drawing, printed in 1776. There is a solemn intensity to this man; it almost feels like he is staring right through you. What catches your eye? Curator: Oh, where do I even begin? It's a face that speaks volumes, isn’t it? The artist, with those stark contrasts, manages to freeze a moment of revolution, uncertainty, and perhaps even a touch of reluctant heroism. Note the way his hand grips that spear. There's a story in that grip. Editor: Reluctant heroism, I like that. I hadn’t considered that perspective. Curator: Think about it, the weight of responsibility suddenly thrust upon a person. And it is just my hunch, but this artwork seems to convey the weight that historical moments placed on individual consciences. But, really, it all lands on the viewer doesn't it? You read the spear differently than I might. Editor: I can see that. I focused so much on his direct stare; now I also wonder about the forest setting. Is there a meaning or purpose for the forest scene behind him? Curator: Well, the backdrop almost certainly locates the scene in the New World, it’s a compositional tool, of course. Also, in 1776, consider the political climate. What sort of visual rhetoric might such scenery lend? Editor: I’m seeing now, it emphasizes the landscape that they’re fighting to defend. Curator: Exactly! It is a visual reminder of what's at stake. Every element tells a story, or perhaps, nudges us toward one. This artwork really makes us work with it. Editor: Looking at it this way, I realize it’s more dynamic than I first thought. I was stuck on just the general’s somber face. Thanks so much for pointing this out!