Introduction
The blue and the gray is a song that symbolizes the transition between antebellum art and the art that followed the ending of the civil war. The divides between these styles are clearly displayed in the regal and grand architecture of antebellum southern homes and the destruction that ensued after battles ruined a large portion of the country. The music became more melancholy as dark times were upon the nation, but the blue and the gray was meant to keep soldiers in tune and riled up as they fought. As shown on this page, the arts were essential to defining the shift between two drastically different time periods.
Paintings and Photography
The cameras that had been developed at this time were too primitive so artists and illustrators were called upon to sketch the battlefields for newspaper readers at home. This task posed great danger for these illustrators as they could be captured or even killed. This piece depicts the Union recovering from the battle of Fair Oaks. It is drawn without color so it can be published in newspapers and the detail is focused not only on the remains of the battlefield but on the trees and nature.
http://www.taringa.net/posts/imagenes/14683884/Bocetos-del-campo-de-batalla.html
http://www.taringa.net/posts/imagenes/14683884/Bocetos-del-campo-de-batalla.html
As the war grew to be one of the most gruesome wars in American history, artists saw the strong effects of the war on the American landscape. They continued to portray the landscape of the country patriotically to signify that we can truly achieve unity and reunite as a nation. This painting, with clear symbolism of the American Flag in its red, white, and blue sky with stars, is an example of that.
http://www.charlesnovacekbooks.com/tag/border-crossings-coming-of-age-in-the-czech-resistance/
http://www.charlesnovacekbooks.com/tag/border-crossings-coming-of-age-in-the-czech-resistance/
This is a dark image of a girl within a storm. Her intensity is captured by her blowing hair and she is wearing only dark colors. Again, the natural landscape is vital to establishing the mood of the image. Her weathered surroundings and saddened face imply something horrible is going on or has occurred as her attention is focused away from the image.
http://free-artworks.gatag.net/2013/11?ssort=__reaction_buttons_4__________-pm&sdir=desc
http://free-artworks.gatag.net/2013/11?ssort=__reaction_buttons_4__________-pm&sdir=desc
This image, titled "Veteran in a New Field" is seen as a symbol of restoration after the Civil War. The title suggests this is a soldier who has taken to tending the fields after the war. He seems to be at peace of mind with the relaxing landscape but hard-working nonetheless. This is relatively brighter than many other painting seen in this period.
This is an astounding photograph of a section of a Union camp during the war. These men are both soldiers and engineers devising a plan for the future of the battle. They are members of the New York State Militia.
http://www.walldug.com/wallpaper/128342-american-civil-war-wallpaper.html
http://www.walldug.com/wallpaper/128342-american-civil-war-wallpaper.html
Architecture
This structure, a particularly essential one to the Civil War, is an example of antebellum architecture in the south. Belonging to a wealthy cotton broker, this mansion served as a Union headquarters throughout the war. As for its design, the most easily visible features are the red brick and white columns.
http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/Natchez
http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/Travel/Natchez
Masonic Temple
This displays the design and then construction of a Masonic temple in San Francisco. The architect who designed this, William Wharff, took it upon himself to beautify the city of San Francisco but had to account for the natural dangers the city faced. He decided to make a stable structure with cream colored brick and granite trimmings. He also erected pillars as we saw in the preceding picture.
Southern Plantations
http://www.getresponse.com/archive/cruiselikeavip/Old-Fashioned-Holiday-Cruise-on-the-Mississippi-September-2-2012-Issue-29-9636610.html
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http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/arc-6610-study-guide-2013-14-hammer/deck/8689592
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http://www.omniatravel.be/Home/Voyages%C3%A0lacarte/VerenigdeStaten%C3%A0lacarte/TheDeepSouthDagAanDag/tabid/166/Default.aspx
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These mansions are prime examples of antebellum architecture. Their designs are symmetrical with everything evenly placed. The front lawn is extremely large providing them with privacy. There are numerous balconies and central entrances. Also, as seen before, there are white pillars. Lastly, the grand staircases to the houses further embellish them.
Music
Below are six adaptions done by younger bands that maintain the character of the original written work from 1961. They are pieces that range from uplifting folk songs to heartfelt ballads of the time. "Blue and the Gray" was considered a sentimental ballad. The story line is of a mother who lost her two sons in the Civil War. Together these melodies effectively portray the emotions of the divided nation. Songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The Bonnie Blue Flag" are extremely patriotic as is "The Blue and the Gray." "Battle Hymn of the Republic," was the song the soldiers would sing at the raising flag ceremony just a month after the Civil War had begun. The poem evolved to become one of the best known Civil War songs. Just as "The Blue and the Gray" represents the confederate army so does "The Bonnie Blue Flag." The song's title refers to the first but unofficial Flag of the Confederate Army, The Bonnie Blue Flag. It consists of a single, five-pointed white star on a blue field. This song, especially popular in the beginning years of the war counts out the eleven secedeing states one by one. Both "Blue and the Gray" and "The Bonnie Blue Flag" was an instant hit with the confederate soldiers and southern civilians.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfqlg0pYOd8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQSbWse3obA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD5Mua8R3U8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wgpJDGy4Bo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9kfwle5Cqg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LArGlfEVYqM
The connections
The arts displayed here, as the Blue and the Gray is, are all based on the Civil War. Considering this was the most gruesome war to ever take place primarily on American soil, it's obvious that this war was central to the arts of the time. The paintings of the time were more more often gloomy than not. They primarily show either a bleak scenario or clashing sides to represent the opposing armies. The colors are either dark brown, black, and white or red, white, and blue depending on the message the painting is trying to send. This relates to the Blue and the Gray as the song is explosive and accentuated at times but also poignant at other times. There is a clear connection between the other arts of the time and the Blue and the Gray and understanding the messages the other works of art at this time send is beneficial to our understanding of the Blue and the Gray.
Additional Bibliography
Katz, Harry. "A Sketch in Time." Civil War Battlefield Art. National Geographic, May 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
"The Civil War and American Art." Metmuseum.org. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Spring 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
"Exhibitions." Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian, Fall 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.
Cotter, Holland. "American Eden, After the Fall." NYtimes.com. New York Times, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Digital image. Www.marxists.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1861/us-civil-war/index-lg.jpg>.
Thompson, Daniella. "William Wharff: Architect, Civil War Vet and Freemason."Berkeleyheritage.com. N.p., 19 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Begnaud, Charles, Jr.E. "Antebellum Architecture." Examiner.com. Examiner, 17 June 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
Katz, Harry. "A Sketch in Time." Civil War Battlefield Art. National Geographic, May 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
"The Civil War and American Art." Metmuseum.org. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Spring 2013. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
"Exhibitions." Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian, Fall 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.
Cotter, Holland. "American Eden, After the Fall." NYtimes.com. New York Times, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Digital image. Www.marxists.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2013. <http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1861/us-civil-war/index-lg.jpg>.
Thompson, Daniella. "William Wharff: Architect, Civil War Vet and Freemason."Berkeleyheritage.com. N.p., 19 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.
Begnaud, Charles, Jr.E. "Antebellum Architecture." Examiner.com. Examiner, 17 June 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.