![]() In 1823, Rip Van Winkle Awakening from His Long Sleep was painted. Inman was particularly interested in Rip van Winkle. Karolik Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston." Related works ĭismissal from School on an October Afternoon was not Inman's only work influenced by Irving. In 1992, this painting was featured in the "An Exhibit of American Painting, 1815–1865: from the M. Curated by William Gerdts, it was the first retrospective of his work since his 1846 memorial exhibit. The exhibition featured over 100 works created by Inman and several portraits of him done by his contemporaries. Over a century later, the painting was a part of "The Art of Henry Inman" exhibit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery from April 2–August 2, 1987. In a review of the exhibition, the August 1846 issue of The American Whig Review remarked, "rarely do we see a landscape so winning as this" one by Inman. This exhibition featured 126 of his works, including Dismissal of School on an October Afternoon. Less than a month after his death, a memorial exhibition of his work opened on February 10 at the American Art-Union. ![]() With genre scenes of childhood, Inman hoped to highlight the superiority of a rural childhood to an urban one. Placing the scene in the rustic American countryside with references to Irving's story, Inman's painting is proudly nationalistic through its celebration of the idyllic American landscape. Ī few months before painting Dismissal of School on an October Afternoon, Inman had recently returned from a year abroad where he had studied his English contemporaries' landscape and genre paintings. He was recounted as “one of Nature’s gentlemen” by his contemporary artists. ![]() Gerdts, Inman was known for his kind portrayals of people "He made young mothers more radiant, and children more idyllic, and old men more benevolent." With tinges of romanticism, Inman only portrayed the goodness in his themes, and encouraged other artists of his generation to “free themselves of rancor”. Contrasting with Irving's tale, Inman creates an idealized scene of childhood, the schoolchildren are simultaneously having fun while appearing to be well-mannered and peaceful.Īccording to art historian William H. Their lunch pails and some clothing are strewn across the foreground of the painting, creating space for them to play with each other. In Irving's story, the students "bursting forth like a legion of young imps, yelping and racketing about the green in joy at their early emancipation." Perhaps this is why the children in the painting are so ecstatic with their wide grins and playful gestures. At the left of the painting, is an African American servant, who in Irving's story, brought Ichabod Crane a note inviting him to attend "a merry-making" which led to an early class dismissal. In Irving's tale of this schoolteacher, Crane supposedly let the students out early one school day. Crane,” which viewers of the time would have recognized and connected to Irving’s story. Referencing the protagonist in Irving’s story, the painting’s teacher is Ichabod Crane, who is seen in the background at the schoolhouse's door. ![]() Inman alludes to Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which was also set in the Hudson Valley. The sweeping view of the northeastern American landscape coupled with the romantic depiction of an autumn afternoon shows the influence of the Hudson River School. This depicts a scene of childhood in mid-1840s rural America. It is a culmination of his successful career, as it is a blend of landscape, genre, and literary reference. ![]() Commissioned by James Cozzens, this painting was finished on November 8, 1845, which makes it his last completed painting before his January 1846 death. Although predominately known for his portrait paintings, Henry Inman was also known for painting genre scenes and literary subjects. An elected founding member of the National Academy of Design, Inman was well known in the New York City art scene. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusettsĭismissal of School on an October Afternoon was painted by Henry Inman. Dismissal of School on an October Afternoon ![]()
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