Sketches of Friezes and Groups of Figures in Three Tiers, Some Antique, Some 16th and 17th Century Genre (from Sketchbook) 1810 - 1820

Thomas Sully rendered these Sketches of Friezes and Groups of Figures in Three Tiers on paper using pen and ink. We can see a range of figures, some derived from classical friezes, others from the more recent 16th and 17th century. Sully was working in America during the late 18th and early to mid-19th century. This was a time of social change and the early development of art institutions in the United States. It was typical of the era for artists to study the “old masters” as a way of learning their craft and this sketchbook page is evidence of that artistic practice. Art academies were developing curricula based on classical traditions in Europe, reflecting social and cultural elites’ desire to be associated with a noble past. Looking closely at works such as this helps us to understand the education, cultural values, and social structures that influenced artists of the time. Researching artists' notebooks, correspondence, and exhibition records can shed light on how art reflected and shaped American society.