After analyzing the humanities through the history of America from pre-history to Reconstruction, it becomes evident that Americans identified themselves as purely unique individuals with unlimited potential; while this idea was constricted to a certain group of people for some time, certain art pieces and literary works expanded the common American identity to a wider population, eventually causing it to lose its race label. The revolutionary Exploration era delved into the unfamiliar and the strange, as European explorers crossed the Atlantic in search for new resources and land. During this time period, few European art portrayed the fruits of these explorations in various sketches, used for informational purposes. One such example was
…show more content…
This mindset is seen early on with the arrival of the Puritans in 1620. After the official creation of the Anglican Church, the disapproving Puritans came to America in order to practice a purified form of Anglicanism. Governor John Winthrop asserted the significance of the role the people would play in his “City upon a Hill” speech. The Puritans had to return the blessings of God by being especially pious, and they must remember that “. . . the eyes of all people are upon” them (Winthrop). This assertion of being a global leader established early on the idea of American Exceptionalism, the mentality that Americans had a mission to serve as the world’s leader due to their unique qualities. This idea diffused to all thirteen colonies eventually and permanently became a part of the role the American played in …show more content…
John Singleton Copley clearly highlighted this in Paul Revere, an insightful portrait of the famous night-rider. He looks directly at the viewer with a contemplative yet proud gaze. Some tools are strewn about on the table he is leaning against, suggesting that he works with his hands. The shining silver teapot in his hand corroborates that; the fact that he is holding it indicates that his pride in having constructed the teapot himself. These obvious details paint a portrait of average American. He or she is a hardworking, proud individual who still is actively involved in worldly affairs, an identity that became wildly associated with the ideals of the American
This mindset is seen early on with the arrival of the Puritans in 1620. After the official creation of the Anglican Church, the disapproving Puritans came to America in order to practice a purified form of Anglicanism. Governor John Winthrop asserted the significance of the role the people would play in his “City upon a Hill” speech. The Puritans had to return the blessings of God by being especially pious, and they must remember that “. . . the eyes of all people are upon” them (Winthrop). This assertion of being a global leader established early on the idea of American Exceptionalism, the mentality that Americans had a mission to serve as the world’s leader due to their unique qualities. This idea diffused to all thirteen colonies eventually and permanently became a part of the role the American played in …show more content…
John Singleton Copley clearly highlighted this in Paul Revere, an insightful portrait of the famous night-rider. He looks directly at the viewer with a contemplative yet proud gaze. Some tools are strewn about on the table he is leaning against, suggesting that he works with his hands. The shining silver teapot in his hand corroborates that; the fact that he is holding it indicates that his pride in having constructed the teapot himself. These obvious details paint a portrait of average American. He or she is a hardworking, proud individual who still is actively involved in worldly affairs, an identity that became wildly associated with the ideals of the American