Hillsdale College Launches New Online Course ‘American Paintings’
The course examines how the American paintings capture the reality of American life — both the heroic and the ordinary — as well as the truth and beauty behind it.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College has launched a new online course, “American Paintings,” taught by Samuel Knecht, professor emeritus of art at Hillsdale College. The course, which will be released August 12-21, examines how American paintings capture the reality of American life — both the heroic and the ordinary — as well as the truth and beauty behind it.
“American painters have sought to capture what is highest in our spirits and what is most real around us,” said Jeremiah Regan, executive director of online learning. “The painters, whether portraying a landscape or a battle, a famous statesman or an ordinary citizen, provide us a chance to reflect on what it means to be American.”
“American painters have sought to capture what is highest in our spirits and what is most real around us.”
This course examines how American artists attempted to balance a faithful representation of reality with a depiction of American ideals, exploring how they captured color, light, and movement to provide a glimpse into the American character.
“The greatest art not only pulls you in but keeps you there,” Knecht said. “American painting has this adherence to down-to-earth qualities and yet a fascination with movement and character it has reminded me of what made me want to become a painter in the first place, and I hope to share that enthusiasm with you.”
The course includes four video lectures, which will be released to the public each Tuesday and Thursday beginning August 12:
American Heroes
The American patriots depicted in these paintings, from our Founding Fathers through our more recent statesmen, inspire us to live up to the principles and promise of America.
Landscapes and Cityscapes
America’s sprawling countryside, majestic waterfalls, and soaring mountains inspire our artists to capture the freedom that suffuses the very air. Bustling cities, meanwhile, are fertile settings for presenting the beauty of everyday life.
Everyday Americans
America exists of, by, and for the people. These paintings feature ordinary American citizens exercising their freedom, defending their rights, laboring for their property, and loving their neighbors.
Battle Scenes
American freedom was won and is maintained on the field of battle. Artists capture the courage and valor so characteristic of Americans in these war paintings.
Each lecture will include discussions featuring life-size copies of paintings as well as demonstrations of the techniques involved in creating them.
- Watch the trailer and register for the course
- Photos from the course
- Photos of Hillsdale College
- High-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo
About Hillsdale College Online Courses
Hillsdale College’s free, not-for-credit online courses feature lectures from the College’s faculty members across various disciplines, including politics, history, economics, religion, and literature. More than 2.1 million students have enrolled in an online course with Hillsdale College. For more information on Hillsdale College’s online courses, visit online.hillsdale.edu.