For my true nomination for the Fred Jones Museum of Art, I chose this portrait of John Winthrop. Winthrop was a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at the University of Harvard and like myself, was interested in Astronomy. I chose this picture because of the telescope and it's significance to space and astronomy. Winthrop tried to learn more about the distance between the Earth and Sun by observing the transit of Venus in the morning. The previously mentioned event is referenced in the portrait by way of the hills in the background. Those hills are where Winthrop and his team set up their instruments to observe Venus.
As a tour guide I would certainly mention the connection between the hills in the portrait and Winthrop's observation of Venus. I would also mention that Winthrop received the first ever honorary doctorate laws (whatever that means) granted from Harvard.
I like that you chose a picture of Winthrop holding a microscope, seeing that it is so relevant to his line of work. Astronomy has always interested me and this would be an exhibit in a museum I would enjoy seeing and learning about. Something else that I would like the tour guide to talk about would be any astronomical discoveries that were made by Winthrop, or any of his discoveries that would later lead to major discoveries regarding outer space.
ReplyDeleteI like your keen interest in what surrounds him. You make an effort to justify how the painting as a whole tells the story of Winthrop. The accolades of Winthrop are an important part of why he has a painting. An in-depth analysis from a tour guide would help justify its position in the art museum.
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