Examine Benjamin West's painting, Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky (1805). You may access this painting via the following link: http://www.frankelec.com/west_fullsize.htm. After spending a few moments with the painting, please respond to one or more of the following questions:
1. What do you think the artist is trying to achieve in this painting? Consider the sometimes clashing roles of science and religion and how they function in this painting.
2. What are your reactions to the elements of this painting? Do you think it's Romantic? Rationalist? Explain your response.
3. What do you think Benjamin Franklin thought of this portrait of himself?
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27 comments:
I believe that Benjamin West was trying to say that Benjamin Franklin's great scientific discoveries happened because angels/God was on his side. I know, it's rather obvious, but since I'm first I get to establish the fact. :)
I believe that West is trying to say that religion and science should or can cooperate or be in balance. Unfortuneately, I don't agree; religion and science are just too different to go together smoothly.
It's like the difference between romanticism and rationalism- religion is something you must believe in your heart, and science is something that is more logical, that you can prove.
All for now. I'll try to check later and see what others wrote.
P.S. I think Benjamin Franklin looked at this and thought "Hey, I'm glad he got my good side."
Woot Tina! I agree completely. I was going to attempt to put my thoughts down into coherent sentences, but you nailed it for me. :)
Immediately when I looked at this painting, I felt the clash of rationalism and romanticism. The angels are mystical and painted in a classic style. Another romantic element of the painting is the key. I don't know why, but I instantly focused on the key. It could be referring to the key that is the perfect balance of rationalism and romanticism.
Responding to Tina's comment about how different religion and science are: Religion focuses on the more romantic elements of the mind (faith, trust, will, surrender), while science focuses on the factual and clear-cut nature of rationalism.
Just my two cents.
In this painting, I think that the artist is trying to show that God is supporting the progress of man in the world that he created for them. The angels are helping Benjamin Franklin hold the string that will enable him to discover electricity, which shows that the artist may have been attempting to show that religion and science can he compatible and work together. Also, the artist could have been saying that it is God who allows man to make all of his discoveries, because of the way that the angels seem to be “assisting” Benjamin Franklin with his experiments.
To answer the second question, this painting seems to be Romantic, just because the artist was using his imagination to paint figures (angels) that humans normally do not see. It seems like the viewer of the piece of art has to interpret for themselves the meaning behind the painting, which relates to the emphasis on individualism in Romanticism and finding one’s own internal truth.
Lastly, I think that Benjamin Franklin would probably like this painting, because it depicts him almost like a saint with the angels at his command. In our class discussion today, we talked about how Benjamin Franklin made a list of the qualities of a righteous person, and strived daily to be perfect, though he often did not succeed. I think that he would view his image in the painting as something positive, and would enjoy being pictured as a man who communed with angels, who are considered holy.
In response to the second question, I think this painting is Romantic in the sense that it shows one of the many incredible happenings in nature. Lighting always brings out a persons emotion, and does not fit the rationalist mold. The fact that the lightning is touching Ben Franklin could lead to a somewhat Rationalist analysis of the sience involved, but overall I think this picture is Romantic.
Hmmmmm, this is a pretty hard painting to interpret. The first time I looked at it I immediately thought it was rationalist. This is because I saw all of the science, he even has what look like graphs and charts in his hand. This would represent rationalism because they are statistics, and are very practical (a word used a lot today in class). But as I look at it more, it seems to be Romantic. Probably because he seems so bound and determined and the angels are all collaborating to help him, which isn't rationalist at all. It seems like he is achieving a dream, which is incredibly Romantic.
Hmmm. That last one was me, but it posted as my Dad. :D
I think this picture is Romantic because it is not logically realistic. There are angels in the top right corner helping Franklin hold the wire. Angels are not something a rationalist would consider. There are workers in the bottom left most likely helping Franklin out with his experiment. They seem to be right at his side like companions always there. Franklin did not have constant companionship. Franklin is also touching the electrical current. If he did this he would be shocked and most likely dead. These three things add up to this being a Romantic piece. The artist also makes the peice pretty with making his robes flow and the sky lit up. Rationalists would not use this detail, instead they would get the point across.
At first it looked like a close call between rationalistic and romantic, but now it seems to me that the painting is more romantic. The children in the background resemble angels, and appear to be helping him perform his experiment; almost as if helping him perform a miracle. The idea of angels assisting Benjamin Franklin seems unreal, yet makes you want to believe that it's possible. Because this picture evokes that feeling of disbelief and thought of endless possibilities at the same time, I think of this as a romantic painting.
My first impression was rationalist. Technology usually is run by statistics, facts, graphs (which I think Franklin is holding), not by feelings. The children working on the wheel in the left background also do not rely on feelings, but knowledge to guide them through their work. But after analyzing further, I feel it is more romantic. My eye was immediately drawn to the key. But I think the sky behind the key and the angels holding the key are much more important. They give the painting a romantic tone. Although the dark stormy clouds surround the scene, light breaks through as if to emphasize this momentous discovery. I guess you can also say that the clouds are sublime. Their immense beauty and mystery inspires the greatness of the heavens and God.
This belief in religion comes solely from the individual and cannot be proved by research and studies. The angels help make this discovery possible. And, I don’t think that Ben Franklin has his back to them for no reason. He must trust himself and let things happen as they may.
I was surprised to see that the angels appear so young. This could represent the “I” for innocence. They are illuminated with light to suggest their pureness. Because of the themes of innocence, the sublime, and self-trust, I believe that this painting was meant to be more Romantic than Rationalist.
I don't know why but my user name showed up as my mom's account. So this post above is really me: Lara.
I think that Benjamin Franklin would not have liked this painting because he is a Rationalist. He would have disliked a picture that emphasizes himself and takes away from the historical experiment. He would also hate the emphasize of things that were not there, like light children angel things.
This picture is a Romantic artwork. Franklin looks just as we have described all other American Romantic heroes. He is very calm and seems to be looking for a deeper meaning. Also, you know that nature play a big part in this life, as we know the outcome of what is going on in this picture.
I find it interesting that if this is a Romantic piece the clash between science and religion. It is almost saying that there is no right answer. That really is what Romanticism is about.
I think that it is hard to determine whether this is rational or romantic. He is experimenting with science (rational), but there are angels in the background (romantic). Those clashing motifs were obvious, but what was really interesting is that the angels in the background, without considering the fact that they're angels, look like rationalist people. The ones to the left of Franklin look like they're arguing and have some sort of their own science experiment going on. I think that it is really interesting how the artist was able to combine rationalism and romanticism like Carly was talking about today in class. I personally think this was a great interpretation of our life today.
I think that the artist is trying to portray Benjamin Franklin as an American Romantic hero. This picture is just like the Wanderer in the Fog. They both withhold nature and a spritual lightness to them. I feel like the painting focuses more on religion than science. Benjamin Franklin is holding the key, but the light part of the picture, the part that draws your eye, are the angels and light around him, not the actual connection to electricity.
I personally don't think that Franklin would have liked it. It doesn't really portray his achievements.
I think that this painting shows a cross between rationalism and romanticism. He shows that you cannot look at just religion or just science, but except that both play a role in the other.
I think that it is a rationalist painting mostly because Benjamin Franklin seems like a rationalist person. He was brilliant in the sciences and diplomatic matters. When I see a picture of him, I think of a reasonable, scientific person, not a romantic.
I would believe that Benjamin Franklin would find that this protrait well portrays himself. I didn't know him personally, obviously, so I wouldn't know his religious believes and what he thought of God.
I agree with what Julia said about it being both Rationalistic and Romantic. The angels and nature are definitely Romantic, but when you throw Benjamin Franklin in there, he doesn't really fit. Like Tina said, he represents science, which is Rationalism.
I also agree that it's showing how the artist believes God supports science, but I thought the color scheme was interesting. Nature is seen as green (as usual), but the angels have a more yellow tint, and then Franklin and his experiment are red. Yellow usually represents happiness or the "good" side, but red is hard to interpret because it can represent so many feelings. I think in this case, it is more positive, like love, representing Franklin's love of science or the positive outcome of his attempts and success.
I think that West was trying to glorify him and his discovery with this painting. I agree with Tina about how the painting shows the religion and science working together. One angel is holding the end of the string and the other angels are looking at a model of the solar system.
This painting is without question romantic. Just because Ben Franklin is in it and it is about a scientific discovery doesn't mean it is rationalist. Look at the picture, the wind is blowing his hair around, however gray it is, he is in a very heroic stance there is lightning, thunder and waves in the background and celestial beings are surrounding him. That is not rationalist, especially if science is supposed to rational and religion romantic. If someone painted a tapestry with me like that, I would be flattered, honored and proud, Ben Franklin likely had one of those emotions. You know your famous when someone paints something like that for you.
Hmmm... Well I think that the experiment its self symbolizes rational thinking. However, due to the immense power and strength of lightning, it would take a pretty brave person to fly a kite with a metal key during a thunder storm (granted he had no knowledge, until after the experiment, that lightning was static electricity). Thus symbolizing romanticism, and also the setting in which he is placed seems more an aspect of romanticism than that of rationalism. My theory is that Benjamin Franklin would have liked this painting portraying his science experiments because it would ensure that he had a lasting legacy. The setting, which shows a myriad of small children doing various tasks such as holding the kite, and (appears as) performing other experiments. In the Renaissance angels looked much like that of the young children that are scattered about this painting; meaning that it might have some sort religious affiliation, which shares the ideals of romanticism and the opposite of rationalism.
Love: Collin
I don not think any scientific perspective in this painting whatsoever. Franklin is surrounding by nature, the sky, the clouds, the wind and the angels. Even the colors used in this painting are soothing. Even though this painting is called “Drawing electricity from the sky” it means its drawing dreams from the sky.
Obviously, I think this painting is Romantic. The presence of angels gives comfort and protection to Benjamin Franklin. However, I think it is remarkably contrasting how a Rationalistic man is placed in a Romantic situation.
Benjamin Franklin will be surprised to find a panting of him, searching for electricity in the sky, surrounded by angels. He would of course criticize this piece because he is logical and practical. He would think of the colors and the angles and wind as unnecessary elements. But, I never knew this man so I honestly don’t know how he will feel.
Benjamin West is trying to show the struggle between science and religion. It looks like the "baby angels" are holding the kite and everything that Franklin is trying to discover. I believe that West was trying to depict how scientist/discoveries and religion need to coincide and not dominate each other.
I agree with what numerous people have said about the balance between science and religion. It's a fragile balance that can be easily disrupted. It almost seems that the angels are assisting Franklin in his discovery by the way they are behind the scenes tugging at the string and such.
I also think that this painting displays romantic and rationalist elements. The colors as well as the angels give the feel of a romantic piece. But Franklin gives the piece a rationalist feel for some reason.
It is romantic because of the children, how he looks all heroic with his red cape, and that the lighting is connecting him to the key.
Also, he probably liked the painting because it immortalized him.
Benjamin Franklin is portrayed like an American Romantic Hero. He is elevated in the painting and the first think your eyes are laid upon. I think this painting is portraying the accomplishments of one of American's real heroes.
This is more of a romanticism piece. It's colorful and imaginary and allows your mind to fondly wonder.
I thought that in the painting the children in the background were angles who were holding the string that attached heaven and earth. It looked like Benjamin Franklin had tapped into that mysterious power that linked heaven and earth. I think that the painting shows that Benjamin Franklin has power because he has discovered something that no one else on earth has ever figured out. It is interesting because in the back round there seems to be children playing with something that looks something like the solar system. Usually the theory of how our solar system and the world came about is very controversial because of evolutionist and religious ideas. My interpretation is that the children playing with the “solar system” are angles that represent god and how he controls everything, even if humans think of ideas to explain events.
I think West painted this to demonstrate that science and religion do go hand in hand, despite the fact that they seem to be opposite from one another. Many people think religion and science have to contradict eachother but through the painting, it is shown that they seem to complete eachother.
I think this painting demonstrates that the world is neither Romantic or Rationalist completely. The world cannot exist without both perspectives and the painting shows how they are able to balance eachother.
Benjamin Franklin is portrayed in a very positive sense in the painting. He is shown to hold the linking key between spirituality and science in his hands which gives him tremendous power. I think any person would be honored to be shown in this manner.
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