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The Great Eastern: Howard Rodman's Monumental Masterpiece

Danny Simmons

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The Great Eastern, By Howard Rodman The Great Eastern Howard Rodman

The Great Eastern is a monumental oil painting by American artist Howard Rodman. Measuring 10 feet 6 inches by 24 feet 6 inches, it is one of the largest paintings in the United States. The painting depicts the launch of the SS Great Eastern, the largest ship in the world at the time, from Millwall, London, on January 31, 1858.

The Great Eastern

by Howard Rodman

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3272 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	352 pages

Background

Rodman began working on The Great Eastern in 1983. He was inspired by the ship's history and its significance as a symbol of Victorian engineering and ambition. Rodman spent years researching the ship and its launch, and he visited the site of the launch in Millwall.

Rodman's painting is not a straightforward depiction of the launch. Rather, it is a complex and multi-layered work that explores the themes of power, progress, and the human cost of industrialization. The painting is filled with symbolism, and it references a wide range of historical and literary sources.

Composition

The Great Eastern is a panoramic painting that depicts the launch of the ship from a bird's-eye view. The painting is divided into three main sections. The foreground shows the ship itself, surrounded by a crowd of people. The middle ground shows the River Thames and the buildings of Millwall. The background shows the horizon and the sky.

Rodman uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of depth and perspective in the painting. The foreground figures are painted in great detail, while the background figures are more sketchy. The use of light and shadow also helps to create a sense of space.

Symbolism

The Great Eastern is a complex and multi-layered work that is full of symbolism. The ship itself is a symbol of Victorian engineering and ambition. The crowd of people represents the human cost of industrialization. The River Thames represents the passage of time. The horizon represents the future.

Rodman also uses a variety of literary and historical references in the painting. The title of the painting, for example, is taken from a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The painting also includes references to the work of William Shakespeare, Herman Melville, and Joseph Conrad.

Reception

The Great Eastern was first exhibited in 1985 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The painting was met with critical acclaim and has since been exhibited in museums around the world.

The Great Eastern is a monumental masterpiece that explores the themes of power, progress, and the human cost of industrialization. The painting is a complex and multi-layered work that is full of symbolism and literary references. The Great Eastern is a powerful and moving work of art that has captured the imagination of viewers for decades.

The Great Eastern

by Howard Rodman

4.4 out of 5