3-2_Short_Answer_Virtual_Tour
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3-2 Short Answer: Virtual Tour
David Hernandez
Southern New Hampshire University
Linda Silva
September 16, 2023
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3-2 Short Answer: Virtual Tour
The first cultural work that caught my attention was the painting of The Girl I Left
Behind Me by Eastman Johnson. This painting can be found at the link:
https://www.si.edu/object/girl-i-left-behind-me:saam_1986.79
. I selected this item because it
features a lone young woman walking in the harsh wind, as shown by her wind-blown hair and
clothing. The girl can be seen carrying a book and wearing a wedding ring. She seems
determined to go forward in spite of the wind and weather. Looking at the girl’s wedding ring
and the title of the painting, I couldn’t help but wonder who might have left her behind.
The other cultural work that I could not help but admire was the image of a marble
sculpture by artist Edmonia Lewis depicting The Death of Cleopatra. This item can be found at
the link:
https://www.si.edu/object/death-cleopatra:saam_1994.17
. I have always been in awe of
sculptors who can make marble look like fabric, as Edmonia does in this sculpture. However, it
is how the artist portrays Cleopatra’s death—like a theatrically staged nap—that truly drew me to
this particular piece.
Both ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’ and ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ reflect their time periods
and tap into elements of the cultures in which they were created. The Death of Cleopatra alludes
to ancient history and the 19
th
-century fascination with classical mythology. At the same time,
The Girl I Left Behind Me examines the aftermath of the 19
th
-century civil war in the United
States. The title ‘The Girl I Left Behind Me’ is borrowed from an old Irish ballad that was a
favorite regimental anthem during the American Civil War (Smithsonian American Art Museum,
2014). The painting depicts a young woman gazing over a divided and cloudy countryside from
the end of her path. According to (Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2016), this painting
reflects the uncertainty that the United States experienced following the Civil War. The girl may
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symbolize a young nation in mourning as it attempted to move forward after the war. Just like the
United States, this girl moves forward calmly, resolutely facing the headwinds in front of her
despite all she may have lost along her path.
The Death of Cleopatra by Edmonia Lewis, on the other hand, reflects a broader
historical narrative in which Cleopatra, the ancient Egyptian queen, is shown in the moment of
her death. The depiction of Cleopatra in the artwork emphasizes both her bravery and her
authority as a historical character. She is seen in her royal clothing, in regal repose on a throne,
with her body arching as she dies. The neoclassical style of art that was popular at the time, as
well as Edmonia Lewis’ African-American roots, had an influence on this cultural work
(Smithsonian American Art Museum, n.d.).
My question is: What does The Girl I Left Behind Me by Eastman Johnson tell us about
the nature of war? To research this question, I would begin by looking into Johnson’s
background and artistic career, as well as the style and contexts of his paintings, in order to
understand how his work reflects the nature of war. I would then use keywords such as
“American Civil War” and “Eastman Johnson” to search for relevant publications and sources.
Additionally, I would consult cultural experts, such as historians and art critics, to gain insight
into Johnson’s paintings and how his work reflects the nature of war.
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References
Smithsonian American Art Museum. (2014, January 28).
Director’s Choice - The Girl I Left
Behind Me by Eastman Johnson
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7sHcHok_uLU
Smithsonian American Art Museum. (2016). The Girl I left Behind Me.
The Girl I Left Behind
Me - Observe and Interpret
. https://americanexperience.si.edu/wp-
content/uploads/2016/10/Girl-I-Left-Behind-Me-Observe-and-Interpret.pdf
Smithsonian American Art Museum. (n.d.).
The Death of Cleopatra
.
https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/death-cleopatra-33878