Edward and Sarah Rutter 1802 - 1805

Joshua Johnson’s ‘Edward and Sarah Rutter’ presents two children amidst symbolic objects, rendered in oil on canvas. Notice the formal arrangement; the two children are centrally positioned against a dark, undefined space, illuminated with a gentle light that models their forms. The painting’s structure balances formal portraiture with elements of symbolic narrative. For example, the cardinal and cherries introduce a discourse on natural innocence, youth and the transient nature of beauty, while the children's attire speaks to societal status and belonging. The composition is structured around simple geometric forms, lending the painting a sense of order and balance that speaks to both Classical ideals and emerging American identities. The subtle interplay of darkness and light accentuates the visual components which ask us to consider the relationship between representation and reality, and invites a reconsideration of our own assumptions about historical representation.