Genres of Paintings Painting Genres    

Lesson 23: History - American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain

by Benjamin West

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the artwork's genre.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

In 1782, an American delegation traveled to Paris, France to negotiate a peace treaty to end the Revolutionary War between the Americans and the British. Benjamin West's painting, painted live in Paris, 'American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain,' shows only the American delegation, while the British delegation is missing and the painting is unfinished. It is said the British delegation refused to sit for the picture. West left the painting unfinished as a testament to the division that remained between the Americans and the British.

Vocabulary

Delegation: A group of representatives authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference.
Peace: Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.
Treaty: A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries.

Concepts

1. History paintings are historically the most respected genre of painting.
2. Contrary to what you might think from the name, history paintings do not always depict true life events from history.
3. The Latin word 'historia' means 'story,' and is where 'history paintings' get their name.
4. History paintings tell stories, whether true events from history or fictitious stories from the imagination.
5. History paintings may also be called 'historical paintings.'
6. Select types of history paintings include, 1) Religious, 2) Literary (books other than mythological), 3) Allegorical (contains symbolism or hidden meanings), and 4) Historical (real historical events).
7. See below examples of four common types of history paintings: 1) Gerard van Honthorst's 'Adoration of the Shepherds' (Religious - Baby Jesus), 2) Sir John Everett Millais' 'Ophelia' (Literary - Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'), 3) C. Allan Gilbert's 'All is Vanity' (Allegorical - Lady Looking in Mirror vs Skull), and 4) 'Declaration of Independence' by John Trumbull (Historical).

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Zoom in to find the following in the artwork:

• American Delegation
• Desk
• Paperwork - Perhaps Peace Treaty
• Curtains
• Pointed Finger
• Unfinished Portion

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Map the Artwork

Zoom in on the map of Europe to find country of France and the city of Paris.

Activity 4: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above and complete page 48 of 'Third Grade Art History Coloring Book.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 6

Answer 1

The characters in the artwork are the American delegation sent to negotiate peace with the British to end the Revolutionary War.

1 / 6

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 6

Answer 2

The setting is in Paris, France.

2 / 6

Question 3

Why is the British delegation not shown?

3 / 6

Answer 3

It is said that the British delegation refused to sit for the painting.

3 / 6

Question 4

Why didn't West finish the painting?

4 / 6

Answer 4

West didn't finish the painting to symbolize the continued division between the Americans and the British.

4 / 6

Question 5

Into which genre is this painting classified?

5 / 6

Answer 5

This painting falls into the history genre.

5 / 6

Question 6

Is the portrait best described as a religious, literary, allegorical, or historical history painting?

6 / 6

Answer 6

This painting is best described as a historical painting within the history painting genre.

6 / 6

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters in the artwork are the American delegation sent to negotiate peace with the British to end the Revolutionary War.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is in Paris, France.
3. Why is the British delegation not shown? It is said that the British delegation refused to sit for the painting.
4. Why didn't West finish the painting? West didn't finish the painting to symbolize the continued division between the Americans and the British.
5. Into which genre is this painting classified? This painting falls into the history genre.
6. Is the portrait best described as a religious, literary, allegorical, or historical history painting? This painting is best described as a historical painting within the history painting genre.

References

'American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain.' The Metropolitan Museum of Art. metmuseum.org/exhibitions/view?exhibitionId=%7B8751a3c7-1ce6-440f-8784-68135f0d4c19%7D&oid=656864. n.p.

'History painting.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.