American "Truth"
by McKenzie Brouk, Diana Shao, Claire Gilmore, and Ansh Shah
Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth
A Biography of Gilbert Gaul by Claire Gilmore
Gaul toured the American West in 1876, and started painting military and western scenes for display, as well as illustrating for various magazines. His work earned him many medals and awards at the Colombian Exposition, the Paris Exposition, and the Buffalo Exposition to name a few. Gaul painted Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth in 1892.
In September 1898, Gaul married Marian Halstead. They lived in Nashville while he worked on his portfolio titled With the Confederate Colors which was published in 1907. Gaul passed away in December 21, 1919 after a long illness.
A Critique of "Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth" by Claire Gilmore
Immediately the viewer is drawn the Molly Pitcher and the intense light that is behind her showing her progressive idea. The light behind Molly, is like a revelation, a bright new thought. The line of the painting then continues to the middle of the painting, where a two men are in disbelief of her defiance to maintain her womanly place, and take on the job of a man. One then looks to the left corner, and sees a dead body, perhaps that of whom was formerly manning the cannon. The rule of thirds applies in this work, as something different and significant happens in each section.