Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
The Village Politicians
In a village tavern, a group of men converse expressively at a table, while other community members and pets talk, read, and mingle nearby. This painting marks an early example of a genre painting (a scene from everyday life). The 1819 political topics discussed might have been the Panic of 1819, the first major financial crisis in the US, continuing debate about the expansion of slavery, or even then-president James Monroe. Similar community conversations about politics continue today at coffee shops and bars.
ArtistJohn L. Krimmel(1786-1821)
Dateca. 1819
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions46 1/8 x 58 1/4 in.
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2007.5
ClassificationPainting
ProvenanceAlexander Murray [1755-1821], by 1820. purchased by Private Collection, Detroit, MI, early 1980s; (Antiques and Interiors of Pass Christian, Pass Christian, MS); purchased by Eugene C. Daymude, New Orleans, LA, July 2000; (Christie's, New York, NY), November 20, 2006, lot 105, not sold; purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2007
On ViewNo
This artwork's face covers about 2.5× the area of a standard movie poster.Drawn to the same scale.