The Nation Made Real: Art and National Identity in Western Europe, 1600-1850
What role did visual artists play in the emergence and spread of nationalism and a sense of national identity? Focusing on late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century Britain and France, this original study in the historical sociology of nations and nationalism analyses the contributions of artists in these and other West European countries to the creation of memorable images of the abstract concept of the nation. By employing different modes of depiction for conveying moral lessons, evoking the atmosphere of the homeland, and commemorating the fallen in battle, David, Ingres, Turner, Constable, and Friedrich, as well as a host of lesser artists, were able to make the national idea appear palpable and accessible, and the abstract concept of the nation seem 'authentic' and 'real'. After a brief description of the main themes of the visual record of Dutch nation-building in the seventeenth century, Anthony D. Smith presents an original comparative analysis of the rise of 'national art' in eighteenth-century Britain and France. Subsequent chapters address the emblems and oath-swearing ceremonies of the citizen nation, the evocation of native poetic landscapes, the exempla virtutis of national heroes, ancient and modern, and the funerary memorials of martyrs and soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the nation in Britain and France. The conclusion highlights the common elements and the main differences in the French and British trajectories of artistic and national development. Illustrated with striking images, The Nation Made Real offers a new interpretation of the role of visual culture in the formation of nations and national identity among the educated classes in Western Europe.
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Contents
Preface
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1 |
Nation and Interpretation
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5 |
1 National Imagery before 1600
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21 |
2 The Visual Components of a Nation
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35 |
3 Celebrating the Nation
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54 |
4 Evoking the Homeland
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78 |
5 Rediscovering the Past
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108 |
6 Commemorating the Fallen
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140 |
Patterns of National Imagery
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168 |
Notes
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182 |
195 | |
207 | |
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The Nation Made Real: Art and National Identity in Western Europe, 1600-1850 Anthony D. Smith No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
A.D. Smith allegory Amsterdam Town ancient Andromache Anthony D antiquity artists atmosphere authentic battle became Benjamin West Britain British celebrated city—state classical classical antiquity Claudius Civilis commemorative concept Constable’s contemporary cult cultural David Death Delaroche depiction didactic drama Dutch early eighteenth century elites England English episodes Erffa and Staley ethnic Europe evocation evoke example exemplum field figures find first France French Friedrich German Germanicus heroes heroic history painting homeland ideal imagery images influence Ingres inspired Italian Italy Jacob van Ruisdael John Constable King land landscape late eighteenth later Liberty London Marat medieval memorials modern nations monuments moral national art national community national identity national sentiment nationalist nature Netherlands oath Ossianic painters Paris past patriotic Paul Delaroche period political portraits portrayal reflection Republic republican Revolution Revolutionary ritual Roman Rosenblum 1967 sacrifice Salon scene Schama sculpture self-sacrifice sense significance specific Swiss symbols themes tradition unity virtue visual arts watercolour West’s