Cromwell's Saints 1862

Editor: Here we have John Pettie’s 1862 painting, "Cromwell’s Saints," rendered in oil. The figures have this rather languid, world-weary look. What’s your interpretation of this piece, considering its historical context? Curator: It’s interesting you pick up on that world-weariness. Pettie painted this during a period when historical genre painting was incredibly popular. But beyond depicting a scene from the past, the painting also engages with Victorian anxieties about power and piety. These “Saints”, likely soldiers from Cromwell's army, are shown not in battle, but in a moment of perhaps less than saintly leisure. Notice how the setting is a dimly lit interior, perhaps a tavern. Editor: Yes, and there’s a real sense of relaxed camaraderie among them. I'm curious how the perception of Cromwell’s era would have influenced how viewers in 1862 interpreted it? Curator: Exactly. By the Victorian era, Cromwell was a complex figure. He was seen by some as a national hero, a champion of liberty, and by others as a religious zealot and a regicide. Paintings like this contribute to the ongoing construction of his image. Pettie prompts viewers to reconsider simple narratives about the past and think critically about how they are constructed and presented. Consider that pipes and gambling elements signal, shall we say, moral compromise. What does this reveal about the artist's views or perhaps those of his patrons? Editor: It seems less like glorifying Cromwell's army and more about a subtle critique, perhaps even questioning the romanticized notions of past eras. Curator: Precisely! This painting speaks volumes about how history is selectively remembered and used to serve contemporary concerns. Pettie challenges the idea of straightforward historical narrative. Editor: That makes me see it in a completely different light. It’s not just a scene, it's a commentary. Curator: Indeed, and that's often where art history can really illuminate our understanding.