Though
Washington Allston wrote verse, including a book of poetry entitled The
Sylphs of the Season, the primary legacy was his painting. His nickname
was “the American Titian,” after the great Italian painter,
and he was classed with the most accomplished artists of the day. He was
born in Charleston on November 5, 1779; his father died two years later.
Allston’s interest in painting and drawing began in his youth as
he attended school in Charleston. It continued to grow as he moved to
Newport, Rhode Island, where he was influenced by the artisan and painter
Sam King. He then went on to Harvard and eventually travelled to England.
He was one of the favorite artists of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and, conversely,
Allston was partial to Romantic poetry. Allston returned from England
in 1818, living in Boston and continuing to paint until his death in 1843.
The French Revolution
The Earth has had her visitation. Like to this
She hath not known, save when the mounting waters
Made of her orb one universal ocean.
For now the Tree that grew in Paradise,
The deadly Tree that first gave Evil motion,
And sent its poison through Earth's sons and daughters,
Had struck again its root in every land;
And now its fruit was ripe,-about to fall,
And now a mighty Kingdom raised the hand,
To pluck and eat. Then from his throne stepped forth
The King of Hell, and stood upon the Earth:
But not, as once, upon the Earth to crawl.
A Nation's congregated form he took,
Till, drunk with sin and blood, Earth to her centre shook.
Though
Washington Allston wrote verse, including a book of poetry entitled The
Sylphs of the Season, the primary legacy was his painting. His nickname
was “the American Titian,” after the great Italian painter,
and he was classed with the most accomplished artists of the day. He was
born in Charleston on November 5, 1779; his father died two years later.
Allston’s interest in painting and drawing began in his youth as
he attended school in Charleston. It continued to grow as he moved to
Newport, Rhode Island, where he was influenced by the artisan and painter
Sam King. He then went on to Harvard and eventually travelled to England.
He was one of the favorite artists of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and, conversely,
Allston was partial to Romantic poetry. Allston returned from England
in 1818, living in Boston and continuing to paint until his death in 1843.
