Political Purposes of Art Answers

Social protest is anything that displays disagreement of a cultural practice, norm, or circumstance. Social protest is usually executed by the general population. It is intended to create awareness of an issues or several issues in order to increase support and further change. Political motive is what drives politicians and leaders to instill changes or take positions on subjects in order to further their power. Changes can be for the good of the people or only to further a person or group of persons political power. Its goal is to increase political power, and any other resulting accomplishments are considered a bonus.

This painting is called Washington Crossing the Delaware, by Emanuel Leutze. This painting describes the historic event when General George Washington led the American revolutionary troops across the Delaware River to fight in the Battle of Trenton. It was painted to show the bravery and fortitude of the American troops during the Revolutionary War, increase awareness of George Washington’s prestige and leadership, and to remind Americans of their success in gaining independence from England.

Answers may vary, but should include at least 3 examples: Art can increase their political power and superiority; art can show the world a factual event, whether it be negative or positive; art can convey a message for social change; art can influence social change, either positively or negatively, art can spread an incorrect, but “preferred” history of an event in order to change people’s perspective.

Napoleon decided to quiet the fears of the healthy after the outbreak of the bubonic plague in Europe in 1799, by visiting the sick and dying. He had Gros paint him as a Christ-like figure healing the sick with his touch, but only two months after this event Napoleon ordered the remaining sick to be poisoned. He commissioned this painting and others to further his political career.