COLLECTION NAME:
Undergraduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Van Dyck: A Merging of Science and Art History
Creator:
Brown, Amanda K.
Subject:
Thesis (B.F.A.) -- Art History
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Art History
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"This thesis will merge art historical and scientific evidence focusing on the working practice of Flemish Baroque painter Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641) as it evolved around the time of the Portrait of John Tufton, 2nd Earl Thanet (1608–64), and Margaret Sackville, His Wife (1614–76) in the Newton Collection at the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art (1640). This thesis will also further explore the complexities of his workshop practice as it pertains to the questions of attribution regarding the painting. Art historical and scientific evidence uncovered in this research focuses on the late career of van Dyck (1630–41). Comparisons between the artist's late career portraits will include investigations into the artists' materials, techniques, style, and iconography. The college attributes the Portrait of John Tufton, 2nd Earl Thanet (1608–64), and Margaret Sackville, His Wife (1614–76), to van Dyck's workshop. What is intriguing is that art historical literature records five copies of this painting. Only two of the five portraits’ whereabouts are known (with the other belonging to the Royal Collection Trust, London). While attributions to van Dyck's workshop need clarification in the research, it is possible to say that, theoretically, van Dyck contributed to the creation of these works. During the conservation process, preliminary scientific investigation of the painting included ultraviolet examination. A much closer visual analysis and documentation of the painting will accompany this research. The thesis will present scientific evidence on later paintings by the artist to shed light on his materials and working procedure. This thesis will merge scientific evidence with art history, so one can better understand the working process of van Dyck and even the high degree to which his assistants could mimic his work." --Abstract
Keywords: art history, assistants, iconography, materials, Portrait of John Tufton, 2nd Earl Thanet (1608–64), and Margaret Sackville, His Wife (1614–76), scientific evidence, Sir Anthony van Dyck, techniques, workshop
Keywords: art history, assistants, iconography, materials, Portrait of John Tufton, 2nd Earl Thanet (1608–64), and Margaret Sackville, His Wife (1614–76), scientific evidence, Sir Anthony van Dyck, techniques, workshop
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia: Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2023-11
Format:
1 online resource: 1 PDF (Thesis, 109 pages, color illustrations)