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Reverend John Robinson's
Depiction in Art
Embarkation
of the Pilgrims
at Delft Haven Holland, July 22, 1620
by Robert W. Weir
Embarkation of the Pilgrims
By Edgar Parker after Robert Weir - 1875
Departure of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven
By Charles Lucy - c1847
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Embarkation
of the Pilgrims
at Delft Haven, Holland, July 22, 1620
by Robert W. Weir
Oil on canvas, 12' x 18'
Located in the Capitol Rotunda
Placed December 21, 1843
(place your cursor over each figure for identification) |
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1836, the United States government commissioned Robert W. Weir to paint
The Picture of the Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven in Holland
"for filling the vacant panels in the rotunda of the Capital" in Washington,
D.C. It was one of several large scale (12’ x 18’) paintings chosen to represent
significant historical moments leading to the founding of the American Republic.
Completed in 1843, it depicts the Pilgrim families gathered around their
pastor, John Robinson, for a farewell service on the deck of the Speedwell
before its departure from Holland. Weir worked on the Embarkation for over
seven years. He produced several small-scale studies that are owned by the
Pilgrim Society. |
Embarkation
of the Pilgrims
By Edgar Parker after Robert Weir - 1875
Material : Oil on canvas. |
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Pilgrim Society commissioned Massachusetts artist Edgar Parker to recreate
Weir’s well-known painting for the museum in 1875. This well-known painting
can be found on the reverse of the United States $10,000
bill. In the romantic mode of 19th century history painting, the artist
has employed symbolism, sentimentality, and theatrical devices for his effect.
Arms and armor, for use against the dangers of the New World, lie in the
foreground beside a screw that later saved the Mayflower from disaster in
a storm at sea. A rainbow, signifying hope, shines brightly through the
clouds. (This is on loan by the Pilgrim Hall Museum http://www.pilgrimhall.org/hpweir.htm.
Other information can also be found at http://www.aoc.gov/rooms/rotunda.htm
and http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PURITAN/purrot.html. |
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Departure
of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven
By Charles Lucy (1814-1873)
Painted in England, c1847.
Material : Oil on canvas |
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This
scene shows the Separatist band praying together just before their departure
from Holland. The central figure is their minister, John Robinson, leading
them in prayer. Robinson had to remain in Holland and died before he could
join his congregation in Plymouth.
English history painter Charles Lucy won a prize for this painting at the
Westminster Hall competition in London in 1847, and exhibited it at the
Royal Academy in 1848. Lucy also painted a view of the Pilgrims’ landing,
but that work has been lost.
This is also owned by the Pilgrim Hall Museum. (http://www.pilgrimhall.org/hplucy.htm) |
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Contact Information
Donald L. Robinson
11915 W. 66th Street
Shawnee, KS 66216-2717
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