Long Jakes

Charles Deas was an American painter who lived from 1818 to 1867. He was born in Philadelphia and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts... more

by Charles Deas

Title

Long Jakes

Artist

Charles Deas

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

Charles Deas was an American painter who lived from 1818 to 1867. He was born in Philadelphia and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts before moving to Europe in 1840 to further his education. There, he spent several years studying in Paris and Rome before returning to the United States in 1845.

Deas is best known for his depictions of Native American life, particularly his series of paintings featuring the Crow tribe. His paintings were unique in their focus on the people and culture of the West, which was relatively unexplored and unknown at the time. He often portrayed Native Americans in a romanticized way, depicting them as noble and dignified, rather than the "savage" stereotype that was popular in popular culture.

Deas was also an early practitioner of the style of painting known as "luminism," which emphasized the use of light and atmospheric effects to create a sense of stillness and calm in landscapes. His later works show a mastery of this style, with delicate brushwork and a keen sense of color.

Despite his early success, Deas suffered from mental illness later in life and died at the age of 49. Nonetheless, his legacy lives on through his pioneering depictions of the American West and his influence on the luminist movement.

Uploaded

May 1st, 2023