Storytelling in American Art will explore narrative art in America from the colonial era to the twentieth century. In paintings and illustrations, American artists depicted people engaged in the tasks, pleasures, and challenges of everyday life.

Throughout the class, we will examine shifting sociocultural themes such as the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and immigration; changing gender roles; the shifting location and meaning of the frontier; and the destabilizing effects of war and modernity.

The class will feature the work of artists such as John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale, William Sidney Mount, George Caleb Bingham, Lily Martin Spencer, Eastman Johnson, Richard Caton Woodville, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Thomas Hovenden, John Singer Sargent, Howard Pyle, Maxfield Parrish, Mary Cassatt, Jessie Wilcox Smith, N.C. Wyeth, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Violet Oakley, John Sloan, Robert Henri, George Luks, Reginald Marsh, George Bellows, Andrew Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, and others. 

Reynolda Curator Allison Slaby will lecture during each class and Director of Teaching & Learning Julia Tanner will facilitate discussion.

Class is held weekly on Thursday in the Charles H. Babcock Auditorium at Reynolda House Museum. Members receive a 20% discount; log in to your account to order and discount will automatically apply at the checkout page.