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| Painting, Quotes | |
I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine. - John Adams, 1780 The first time I read the above quote it charmed me. We know our founding fathers and mothers to be starchy advocates of industry and piety, not the arts. So the reference to painting, poetry and music as something children ought to have a right to study… well, I love it. But having just watched the HBO mini-series John Adams Happy Independence Day, 2009.
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I’m seeing the quote differently. Actor Paul Giamatti delivered the line with a contemptuous edge, sitting at table in France during the American Revolution surrounded by sensual excess. Though I prefer my earnest reading of Adams’ words, I appreciate the complexity lent by Giamiatti, who played Adams as a smart and principled but neurotic man who was hard on his children. A deeply humanizing portrait that I loved.
