1.4.5: Persuasion
- Page ID
- 257178
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Eastman Johnson, Wounded Drummer Boy, oil on board, 67 x 55 cm, c. 1864-1871, Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.
The image of a young boy beating a drum as he sits upon the burly soldiers of a solder hiking uphill through a battle scene where many figures seem to be in despair is a striking scene. Notice the many angles and directional forces — the whole background is at a tilt, which coincides and contrasts with the angles of the main figures's body positions. This arrangement of directional forces in itself creates a strong sense of energy in the work, moving our eyes to look all around. Many of the lines lead us right up to the drummer boy, who looks upward and onward into the distance, into the hopes for a better future. The overall value of the image is generally dark, adding to the weight of the somber mood. The many blue tones in the clothing and sky create a strong sense of unity, contrasted by the red drum and skin tones for brief areas of variety and emphasis, highlighting their facial expressions and the significance of the drum. The image, grounded in the grit of war, quickly becomes metaphorical. The youth might symbolize the future and the ongoing struggles of humanity. The drum stands out as an instrument of power, a very different kind of power than military force — notice how the drum sticks and the tip of the rifle visually interact with each other, being in a similar location, and based on the element of line. A gun brings death. But a drum inspires life.
A strong case could be made for Commemoration as the function of art here, especially if the youth was a particular figure. The National Academy of Design claims the image was based on a historical moment in the American Civil War, where the injured boy — notice how the white bandage on his leg is emphasized by the surrounding darker tones — could not walk and was uplifted by the soldier in an effort to persuade the people to keep fighting. Thus, the function of Persuasion is a strong fit here. Metaphorically, the image still resonates today, persuading us to help each other and to keep fighting for what is good in the world.
Content on this page written by Jon McCallum, 2024.