== Danly, RR in American Art ==

== Danly, RR in American Art ==

It is surprising that the artists were showing picturesque scenes of the railroads. What was their motivation? For some of the artists, they were paid to paint the scenes within the train cars and on the coal cars, but what about the other artists? It may be that the artists did not quite grasp the long-term effects of the train. They saw it as bringing economic prosperity and opening up new lands, which are all positive things. The most obvious answer is the idea of Manifest Destiny.  Some of the paintings, such as Lackawanna Valley, show a transition between modernity and the beautiful pastoral lands, but the changing landscape does not look ugly or repulsive.  In Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, it is interesting that the smoke is blowing onto the Native Americans. This could be symbolic of many things, but mostly how technology will conquer the West. ~~Kyle Allwine

It is surprising that the artists were showing picturesque scenes of the railroads. '''What was their motivation? For some of the artists, they were paid to paint the scenes within the train cars and on the coal cars, but what about the other artists? It may be that the artists did not quite grasp the long-term effects of the train. They saw it as bringing economic prosperity and opening up new lands, which are all positive things.''' The most obvious answer is '''the idea of Manifest Destiny'''.  Some of the paintings, such as Lackawanna Valley, show a transition between modernity and the beautiful pastoral lands, but the changing landscape does not look ugly or repulsive.  In Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, it is interesting that the smoke is blowing onto the Native Americans. This could be symbolic of many things, but mostly how technology will conquer the West. ~~Kyle Allwine

In response to Kyle and what the motivation was for making the scenes of the railroad picturesque:  I feel that early on, to try and convince people to travel by railway, the artists goal was to paint a picture of something that was beautiful and inviting.  Drawing a picture of a train going through the desert doesn't have the same appeal to a first time traveler as a picture of a train going past a river with mountains in the background. - Matthew Beere

In response to Kyle and what the motivation was for making the scenes of the railroad picturesque:''' I feel that early on, to try and convince people to travel by railway, the artists goal was to paint a picture of something that was beautiful and inviting.''' Drawing a picture of a train going through the desert doesn't have the same appeal to a first time traveler as a picture of a train going past a river with mountains in the background. - Matthew Beere

It was interesting to me to see the transition of trying to make positive art work at the beginning of the Railroad’s operation to industrializing the factories and the Railroad lines.  In my opinion the daguerreotypists gave the public images of what the reality of the Railroad situation was.  As cars and planes were becoming more popular with people the last ditch effort by the train companies was to make them more luxurious and comfortable to travel in, plus you had a “beautiful landscape” to appreciate.  Later in the 1920’s – 1930’s we started to see the industrial side of the artists and what the landscape really looked like.  I wonder if the artist drew what they saw, or were paid by some of the Railroad companies to “spice it up” and make it so everyone wanted to travel by train? ---Pam Petzold

It was interesting to me to see '''the transition of trying to make positive art work at the beginning of the Railroad’s operation to industrializing the factories and the Railroad lines.''' In my opinion the daguerreotypists gave the public images of what the reality of the Railroad situation was.  As cars and planes were becoming more popular with people the last ditch effort by the train companies was to make them more luxurious and comfortable to travel in, plus you had a “beautiful landscape” to appreciate.  Later in the 1920’s – 1930’s we started to see the industrial side of the artists and what the landscape really looked like.  I wonder if the artist drew what they saw, or were paid by some of the Railroad companies to “spice it up” and make it so everyone wanted to travel by train? ---Pam Petzold

I think it was extremely significant that the railroad was accepted into the 19th century American art world; the visual arts, particularly painting, have always been held in high esteem as being part of the soul of a culture, along with its literature, music, and other art forms. For an innovation such as the railroad, which divided many, and was even seen as a “monster” by some Europeans, it was very surprising to learn that the image of a triumph over nature was being depicted in American art work. In terms of iconic American images, the railroad eventually became just as significant and important as the Appalachian Mountains, or the Statue of Liberty. It was a symbol of rugged American innovation, and the individualistic competitive spirit to build up the West, through oil, gold, and other raw materials. I was baffled that the landscape art world would incorporate an image that is so synonymous with the destruction of trees and nature, as well as commerce and business. Of course the artists also had other motivations, such as creating paintings that would motivate travelers to ride through the beauty of the American landscape (as these artists were no doubt paid by railroad companies). Whether or not these paintings were motivated by money doesn’t really seem important to me. What is important is the fact that the American public fell for the trick. The railroads took on a romantic feeling in the landscapes, and Americans fell in love. Of course, some of those paintings failed to illustrate the horrid travelling conditions that most Americans actually faced when riding on the railroad. Was there any uproar? Did travelers feel cheated when they were thrown from the tracks and were forced to help put the cart back on the tracks? What about the smoke that choked them the entire ride and the violent bumpiness that damaged their backs? Or was the railroad already accepted as a symbol of American ambition and pride? Would others have deemed you unpatriotic had you tried to denounce it? ~Kevin Gottschalk

I think it was extremely significant that the railroad was accepted into the 19th century American art world; the visual arts, particularly painting, have always been held in high esteem as being part of the soul of a culture, along with its literature, music, and other art forms. For an innovation such as the railroad, which divided many, and was even seen as a “monster” by some Europeans, it was very surprising to learn that the image of a triumph over nature was being depicted in American art work. '''In terms of iconic American images, the railroad eventually became just as significant and important as the Appalachian Mountains, or the Statue of Liberty. It was a symbol of rugged American innovation, and the individualistic competitive spirit to build up the West, through oil, gold, and other raw materials.''' I was baffled that the landscape art world would incorporate an image that is so synonymous with the destruction of trees and nature, as well as commerce and business. Of course the artists also had other motivations, such as creating paintings that would motivate travelers to ride through the beauty of the American landscape (as these artists were no doubt paid by railroad companies). Whether or not these paintings were motivated by money doesn’t really seem important to me. What is important is the fact that the American public fell for the trick. The railroads took on a romantic feeling in the landscapes, and Americans fell in love. '''Of course, some of those paintings failed to illustrate the horrid travelling conditions that most Americans actually faced when riding on the railroad. Was there any uproar? Did travelers feel cheated when they were thrown from the tracks and were forced to help put the cart back on the tracks? What about the smoke that choked them the entire ride and the violent bumpiness that damaged their backs? Or was the railroad already accepted as a symbol of American ambition and pride? Would others have deemed you unpatriotic had you tried to denounce it?''' ~Kevin Gottschalk

It is interesting how as America’s belief in Manifest Destiny and the Industrial revolution occurred more and more trains appeared on the painter’s canvas. The article points out the contrast of the new industrialization (the trains) and the desire for scenic views (nature). –Megan Mc.

It is interesting how as America’s belief in Manifest Destiny and the Industrial revolution occurred more and more trains appeared on the painter’s canvas. The article points out the contrast of the new industrialization (the trains) and the desire for scenic views (nature). –Megan Mc.

I find it fascinating that no conflict of interest was corrected for or even, it seemed, noted, among the landscape photographers who took the images of the railroad lands to disseminate. Indeed, at the height of the conflicts between RR & indigenous peoples, there was not really any attempt to cover the biases or cloak them in some unswayed manner.--Nicole Steck

I find it fascinating that no conflict of interest was corrected for or even, it seemed, noted, among the landscape photographers who took the images of the railroad lands to disseminate. Indeed, at the height of the conflicts between RR & indigenous peoples, there was not really any attempt to cover the biases or cloak them in some unswayed manner.--Nicole Steck

We learned in class that the use/ construction of trains and railroads revolutionized transportation in America. The railroads connected the American population in a way not seen before. Miles upon miles of railroad ran across the U.S, connecting rural areas with cities, and allowing access to areas that had previously been incredibly hard to travel. The use of railroads allowed for greater and more efficient transfer of goods and people. In this article I read about yet another innovation brought on by railroads, tourism. Tourism provided railroad companies with another way to make profit. Some of the beautiful paintings presented in the beginning, as well as the later photographs served as advertisements. The beautiful depictions of a natural (only slightly touched) landscape helped to draw in tourists and the later trains (obviously dependent on wealth of passengers) were equipped with luxuries for traveling sightseers.  

We learned in class that the use/ construction of trains and railroads revolutionized transportation in America. The railroads connected the American population in a way not seen before. Miles upon miles of railroad ran across the U.S, connecting rural areas with cities, and allowing access to areas that had previously been incredibly hard to travel. The use of railroads allowed for greater and more efficient transfer of goods and people.''' In this article I read about yet another innovation brought on by railroads, tourism. Tourism provided railroad companies with another way to make profit.''' Some of the beautiful paintings presented in the beginning, as well as the later photographs served as advertisements. The beautiful depictions of a natural (only slightly touched) landscape helped to draw in tourists and the later trains (obviously dependent on wealth of passengers) were equipped with luxuries for traveling sightseers.   However, further into the article the images presented are no longer beautiful, exaggerated representations of the landscape, but instead images that reveal a more realistic, gritty view of trains, stations, and the railroads. By this later point in the railroad’s history it appears to have been hard to ignore the consequences of using such technology. -Kathleen Mead

However, further into the article the images presented are no longer beautiful, exaggerated representations of the landscape, but instead images that reveal a more realistic, gritty view of trains, stations, and the railroads. By this later point in the railroad’s history it appears to have been hard to ignore the consequences of using such technology. -Kathleen Mead

Danly's introduction really emphasized the view that man's construction could still be incorporated with the nature, as it is the "new nature". Of course the first landscapes and paintings that incorporated the railroad had to have been picturesque as the new found interest of the railroad was illuminating. The idea of the railroad was becoming a phenomenon, and one that was going to increase support through any way possible, whether it be quicker transportation or art with picturesque models of the railroad and trains. Danly mention's that the artist Cole created "scenes that show a man living in unison with nature" and that show "compatibility between the two worlds" (p. 3). With the increased idealized images of the railroad, there was an increase in capitalism through this effort. Danly states, "These artists were encouraged to examine no only the magnificent scenery along the route, but also the notable productions of human science and labor" (p. 5). She also mentions that the "railroad was idealized as manifestation of tech progress of capitalism (p. 6). For capitalism to succeed, the railroad needed to succeed, and early picturesque art supported that idea. -Claire Brooks

Danly's introduction really emphasized the view that man's construction could still be incorporated with the nature, as it is the "new nature". Of course the first landscapes and paintings that incorporated the railroad had to have been picturesque as the new found interest of the railroad was illuminating. The idea of the railroad was becoming a phenomenon, and one that was going to increase support through any way possible, whether it be quicker transportation or art with picturesque models of the railroad and trains. Danly mention's that the artist Cole created "scenes that show a man living in unison with nature" and that show "compatibility between the two worlds" (p. 3).''' With the increased idealized images of the railroad, there was an increase in capitalism through this effort. Danly states, "These artists were encouraged to examine no only the magnificent scenery along the route, but also the notable productions of human science and labor" (p. 5). She also mentions that the "railroad was idealized as manifestation of tech progress of capitalism (p. 6).''' For capitalism to succeed, the railroad needed to succeed, and early picturesque art supported that idea. -Claire Brooks