Edwin Austin Abbey review – an American flex with lashings of gold and nudity

Edwin Austin Abbey's Study for The Hours is an intriguing piece of art that embodies the opulence and grandeur of American excess. This 12ft-wide painting, showcasing a circular composition with 24 figures, is a masterful study of symbolism and art as propaganda.

The artwork, part of a larger exhibition at the National Gallery, features nudes in various states of undress - embodying the hours of the day, clothed in gold and adorned with celestial bodies that evoke both beauty and excess. The palette, predominantly blue and gold, is reminiscent of a lavish celebration of American power.

Abbey's work was commissioned by Pennsylvania to adorn its state capitol building, an allegorical representation of the nation's history and ideals. This grandiose project mirrors the current political climate in which art serves as a tool for expressing power and wealth.

However, Abbey's study leaves one wanting more - with some figures appearing poorly defined due to their intended placement on a ceiling far above viewers' heads. The accompanying six studies display the artist's technique but raise questions about the quality of his work overall.

Despite this, contemporary audiences can relate to the echoes of power struggles and waste in Abbey's art. This exhibition highlights how states use art to reinforce their authority, drawing parallels with the lavish renovations currently underway at the White House under Donald Trump's leadership.

I gotta say, I love how Abbey used symbolism and art as propaganda to showcase America's excesses back then it's wild to see how art can be both beautiful and a reflection of the times we live in. But what really gets me is how some of these grand projects still serve as a tool for power struggles today the White House renovations under Trump are like, totally eye-catching... I mean, who needs that much gold leaf on the ceiling? it's all about making a statement, right?

Art is all about the vibes you get from it, right? For me, Edwin Austin Abbey's Study for The Hours feels like a super opulent party - lots of gold and glitter , but also some weirdly unclear faces . Like, what's up with those figures on top that are barely visible? Still, the whole thing is kinda mesmerizing, especially when you think about how art can be used to show off power . This exhibit at the National Gallery is giving me all sorts of feels - it's like, the more things change, the more they stay the same, you know? And those White House renovations? totally got some similar vibes going on...

I mean, have you ever stopped to think about why we're so drawn to opulence and grandeur? Is it because we're trying to compensate for something lacking in our own lives? Those paintings are like a visual representation of how some people can get carried away with their wealth and status. It's like, yes, let's celebrate our achievements, but not at the expense of others or the planet. We need to find that balance, you know?

I'm so done with the opulence and excess displayed in this painting! It feels like a whole different era of America - one that values grandeur over substance. The fact that it was commissioned by Pennsylvania to celebrate their state capitol is wild to me... what about the people who aren't in positions of power? And those nudes are, like, totally distracting from the 'art' itself. I mean, can we just have some balance? The way it's presented as a celebration of American power is also kinda eerie... what does that say about our current state of politics? I'm not hating on the artistry or anything, but I do think we need to acknowledge the problematic undertones in this piece. Can't help but wonder if some of that excess is still being flaunted at the White House today...

lol @ America's love affair with excess, I mean who needs subtlety when you can just go full on gold and nudes This art piece is like a supercharged sports car - all style, no substance (just kidding, it's got some decent stuff too, but idk about the ceiling placement ). I get why they'd commission this for the state capitol, tho - it's like America's own version of a flashy superhero costume . And can we talk about how some art is just better suited for being seen from above? Like, if you're gonna hang something that big, at least make sure it's lit .

omg I'm so down for this exhibition at the National Gallery but like, let me ask myself... isn't it kinda weird that a painting commissioned by PA to adorn their state capitol building is basically a reflection of America's excess and power struggles? idk, feels like we're seeing some déjà vu vibes with Trump's White House renovations right now I mean, what's up with the quality of the studies on display? six outta ten for me, but can we get a more polished finish on this artwork, please? 7/10 would see it again though

I'm fascinated by how Edwin Austin Abbey's work taps into our collective anxiety about excess and power . The National Gallery's exhibit has got me thinking - how do we reconcile artistic masterpieces that symbolize opulence with our modern-day concerns about accountability and representation? Those nudes, dressed in gold and surrounded by celestial bodies, feel almost like a commentary on the superficiality of wealth and status... and how our institutions use art to project an image of power and prestige . I'm also intrigued by how Abbey's work was commissioned by Pennsylvania - it raises questions about the role of patronage in shaping artistic identity and the politics of representation . But what really gets me is the eerie parallels between Abbey's study for "The Hours" and our current cultural landscape, where the lavish renovations at the White House seem to be a symbol of a different kind of excess - one that's more insidious, yet equally problematic .

I think it's pretty cool that they're showing off this massive painting, but I gotta say, some of those figures do look kinda fuzzy from up high . It's wild to think that a whole bunch of nudes were meant to be on the ceiling, though - I can see how that'd be a bit much for anyone's eyes. The blue and gold colors are super dramatic, like they're trying to show off America's wealth . But at the same time, it feels kinda heavy-handed, you know? Like they're hitting us over the head with the message of "look at our power!"

I gotta say, this painting is like a time capsule of American excess ! I mean, we're talking 12ft-wide masterpiece with nudes in gold and celestial bodies... it's like a commentary on the opulence of our politicians' lifestyles, you know? The fact that it was commissioned by Pennsylvania to adorn its state capitol building is wild - it's like they wanted to send a message about their power and influence. But let's be real, with Trump's White House renovations going on, it feels like we're seeing the same thing play out all over again .

And don't even get me started on the quality of the work - some figures are so far away they're basically just blurry silhouettes... I mean, what's the point of art if you can barely see it? But at the same time, I feel like Abbey's study is trying to say something deeper about our society and how we value power and wealth. It's like, what is this art really trying to tell us?

I mean, I was just looking at this painting online and it's definitely a statement piece. The use of gold and blue is so over-the-top, it's like they're trying to make a point about excess. And I can see how the figures are meant to represent different hours of the day, but some of them do look kinda vague...

I'm also weirdly fascinated by how this art was commissioned by Pennsylvania back in the day. It feels like a product of its time, you know? Like, the idea that art could be used as propaganda is nothing new, but it's still pretty interesting to see how it played out.

It makes me think about how art has always been tied to power and politics, even if we don't realize it at first. Like, who gets to decide what art is important? Anyway, I'm glad this exhibition is happening, it's definitely worth checking out...

I'm kinda torn about this artwork - on one hand, it's super impressive to see the level of detail and symbolism that Edwin Austin Abbey brought to the table . The way he used art as a form of propaganda is actually pretty thought-provoking, especially with how it relates to our current power struggles .

However, I do feel like some of the figures in the painting are kinda hard to make out - I mean, who needs that much gold and bling on their body? It's almost like they're trying too hard to represent wealth and excess. And with six smaller studies to accompany it, I'm left wondering if this is just an over-the-top display of America's opulence .

Still, I think what really resonates with me is the way this artwork mirrors our current White House renovations - all that lavish spending and prioritizing power over substance . It's almost like a commentary on how art can be used to reinforce authority, whether it's in the past or present...

I'm like totally against this super extravagant artwork . I mean, 12ft-wide painting is just too much, it's like the artist was trying to outdo each other in a game of 'who can be the most over-the-top'. And all these nudes with gold and stars? It feels like a total publicity stunt for the state capitol building renovation . The fact that it's meant to represent American power and ideals is just laughable, it's like they're trying to prove how rich and powerful they are, but in a really tacky way . And those six smaller studies? Meh, they don't even make the main piece worth seeing, imo .

omg I'm literally FREAKING OUT over Abbey's Study for The Hours!!! this painting is like a masterpiece of American excess, you know?! the way those figures are just dripping in gold and celestial bodies... it's like they're literally embodying the hours of the day . I mean, can you even imagine seeing that in person at the National Gallery? my fave artist from like ever, Edwin Austin Abbey is the real MVP

and omg have you seen those six studies?! they're literally showing off his technique but also kinda revealing how some of the figures are just... meh I mean, can't we just love it for its opulence and grandeur alone?

but seriously, this exhibition is like totally relevant to what's going on in the US right now . like, who doesn't love a good power struggle?! and Abbey's work is like, the OG representation of that. even though some figures are kinda hard to make out because they're up high... it's still SO beautiful

anyway, I'm literally going to go look at this exhibition NOW

omg this artwork is SO dramatic I love how it showcases american excess but also raises questions about the quality of abbey's work... those six studies do seem like a bit of filler idk if i'd want to see them in person tho - the fact that some figures are poorly defined because they're so high up is wild. and can we talk about how this mirrors what's going on at the white house rn? it's crazy how art is used to reinforce power & authority

I'm fascinated by how art from the past can still speak to us today . The way Edwin Austin Abbey's Study for The Hours uses symbolism and opulence to represent American excess is eerily relevant, especially with all the pomp and circumstance going on at the White House right now . It's wild to think that this 19ft-wide painting was meant to celebrate the nation's history and ideals, but it also kinda feels like a commentary on how power and wealth can get in the way of good taste . I mean, is Abbey's study just a product of its time, or are we reading too much into it? Maybe it's just a case of "we were there, do as we say" – all that gold and blue makes me think of a lavish party where nobody wants to leave . Anyway, it's definitely an interesting conversation starter for this exhibition...

I'm not entirely sold on the art piece itself, tbh... that 12ft-wide painting just seems like a lot of gold and nudes to me . And yeah, the technical issues with some figures being hard to see from below are pretty glaring . But I do get what they're going for - it's definitely an interesting commentary on art as propaganda in the US . It's also kinda eerie how much this reminds me of the lavish renovations at the White House under Trump... like, is that really a coincidence? What do you guys think about all this? Did Abbey really just create a masterpiece or was it more of a symbolic exercise in power?

I gotta say, Edwin Austin Abbey's Study for The Hours is super eye-catching ! Those gold and blue hues are giving me major luxury vibes . I mean, who wouldn't want a piece of art that represents opulence and grandeur? But what really gets me is how it relates to our current political climate . It's crazy to see how art can be used as propaganda, you know? Those six studies might not be the strongest examples of his work, but they're still super interesting from an artistic standpoint . I love how this exhibition highlights the connection between power struggles and art – it's like we're seeing the same theme play out in different eras !

I just got back from the most random road trip to visit my grandparents in New Jersey and I saw this insane mural on a building that totally reminded me of this art piece... and then I started thinking about how awesome it is when you're traveling and stumble upon something amazing, but also gets you wondering about where they got the funding for the actual artwork? Like, who paid for all those fancy renovations at the White House? And speaking of grandeur, have you ever tried making homemade pasta? It's such a fun process!

I'm kinda fascinated by how art can be used as a tool for showing off wealth and power. Like, I get that it was meant to be all about American excess, but now it just feels like a commentary on how some people want to flaunt their status . The way the painting is all golden and blue is so over-the-top, it's almost cringeworthy . And can we talk about how some of those figures are just kinda... stuck up there in the air? Like, I'm trying to appreciate the art, but my eyes keep wandering back to figure 7 because, hello, she looks like she's been sitting up for hours . But hey, it's definitely a conversation starter, and who knows, maybe one day we'll see some of that 'wealthy power' being used for something more meaningful .