Frederic Church's "The Parthenon"

Frederic Church’s depiction of the Parthenon, painted in 1871, reveals a great deal about the culture in which the painting was created. The skillful, traditional work and close attention to detail show a strong academic period in painting and demonstrate Church’s training. Further research explains that Church played a key role in the second generation of the Hudson River School. This work makes it clear that Church had not only respect for ancient Greece, but also a great connection to the society and the influence it has had on all those who followed.

The painting shows the Parthenon after it was damaged in an explosion. However, the rubble surrounding the Parthenon is in the shadows, demonstrating respect despite the misfortune of the past. In addition, the focus of the painting lies directly on the Parthenon, and the painting creates the feeling that the viewer is looking up at it from afar. There is a small person in the foreground of the photo. She is barely visible in the shadow of the massive Parthenon, showing the way humans are so often dwarfed by history. This painting is a celebration of humans’ innate aesthetic sense and ability to use our surroundings to create things and complete tasks.