Perhaps the below from editor-in-chief Mariette DiChristina last weekend shouldn’t have been a surprise.
Scientific American
But I never really latched on to the painting references, so I remained ignorant of his commitment, abilities, and influence in matters of the arts. After I learned from DiChristina’s tweet that is part of the collection at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, I did a quick internet search. It led me to the and an , both of which confirmed his status as an influential and prolific muralist in 19th century New England. The Paetznick paper, in turn, pointed me right back towards .
The introduction to the should’ve been my first clue. Porter promises, among other things, “…useful information and instruction in various Arts and Trades.” He elaborates on this point in a blurb on page 2 that introduces a recurring feature, the Art of Painting (see excerpt below).
Scientific American Magazine (August 28, 1845)
From through , Porter printed a series of 10 columns about landscape painting on walls in the magazine. (A shorter version of the directions were in his 1825 book ). His instructions are practical and detailed, with advice on things like paint-to-glue proportions and brush types. “A half-worn brush is better, but if this cannot be obtained, a new brush may be wound with twine as to reduce the length of the brush part, and will answer the purpose,” he wrote. Here’s one of my favorite passages (highlighted in yellow), on matters of perspective and composition from the issue:
"Landscape Painting on Walls," by Rufus Porter, in Scientific American Magazine (February 12, 1846)
The columns are peppered with engravings, such as these.
"Landscape Painting on Walls," by Rufus Porter, in Scientific American Magazine (left: February 26, 1846; right: March 5, 1846)
But to see any of his final paintings in full color (like the one below), I’ll need to take a road trip. The Rufus Porter Museum in Bridgton Maine has some of his works on display and has that are open to the public.
R. Porter and S.T. Porter (1838). Originally from the Dr. Francis Howe house in Westwood, Massachusetts. Currently located in Bridgton, Maine. Courtesy of Julie Lindberg Antiques and Heller Washam Antiques. Photograph courtesy of the Rufus Porter Museum.
If you’re interested in fully embracing the do-it-yourself spirit of Porter and are eager to create a landscape wall painting for your “own amusement or convenience,” keep an eye on the for information on an upcoming exhibit on how to paint a mural, as part of their 2015 season.
Chomsky: We Are All – Fill in the Blank.
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