Week 5 Wall
Given what you’ve learned this week about the politics of representation, what ideological purposes does the image below fulfill?
Mort du Montcalm, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté, 1902
Given what you’ve learned this week about the politics of representation, what ideological purposes does the image below fulfill?
Mort du Montcalm, Marc-Aurèle de Foy Suzor-Coté, 1902
richardj, 
brendanjf, and 9 others are discussing.
maxgardiner 12:55 pm on October 3, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The image works to create the image of Montcalm as a martyr. Given that Montcalm commanded the French forces at the Plains of Abraham the image could have been created to glorify the death of General Montcalm. By creating a martyr out of Montcalm the artist is trying to reinforce a particular idea of Quebec nationalism. Nothing works quite as well as a rallying point for a movement as a martyr. Besides showing Montcalm on his deathbed, he is shown as being surrounded my people who seem to be admiring him. This again characterizes Montcalm as someone who should be looked up to by the people of Quebec.
The politics of representation are very important as it is possible to completely change how a person is viewed by the public depending on how they are represented in a piece of media. The media can add their own bias to a story or object and as such can greatly impact how a person or thing is viewed by people. This is especially possible when portraying someone after their death as that person is no longer around to answer questions. This can lead the public to just accept what is put in front of them as fact. This is why it is important to look at who is creating the piece of media in question.
Tyler Cole 4:57 pm on October 3, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This image, portraying the death of French general Montcalm after being wounded in battle at the Plains of Abraham, would serve to depict Montcalm as a hero, dying a noble death for his country. The scene is solemn, but it also gives off a distinct air of heroism, reinforced by the amount of people around for his last minutes. Even though Montcalm’s death signifies the end of French rule in Quebec, it is still heroic in that he went down fighting for his country and his beliefs in French Canada. It also serves to show the importance of Montcalm to the French, as the man in red to the right of the chair appears to be dressed well and is carrying a sword on his hip, as a high-ranking officer would have done. This image is important to the idea of a strong French Canadian population, as it shows the dedication people had towards their generals.
Vincent Yam 5:27 pm on October 3, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The painting is of General Montcalm dying after the Battle of Abraham. Its purpose is to portray General Montcalm as a heroic figure who died protecting France and the Catholic Church.
The white skin that Montcalm is given suggests not only death, but purity of character, as do his simple white shirt. It is also important to note that there is more lighting around Montcalm than the others. This and the handsome, well-dressed (they do not look like they came out of a battle) loyal Frenchmen (note that there are no natives!) kneeling or with solemn faces around him indicate the tragedy of his death for France.
The kneeling, mourning, Nuns and the despondent looking priest who has just blessed him also add to his purity of character and indicate the importance of the church, and how Montcalm’s death is important to the church.
Hence, the picture does a very good job of portraying Montcalm as important to the French and the Church, while depicting him as a fallen hero.
slali 8:15 pm on October 3, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The image is a representation of the death of Montcalm, a French commander, after the French defeat at the Plains of Abraham. The painting portrays Montcalm as a significant figure to the French soldiers whom fought along side him. While lying in his deathbed, it is shown that Montcalm was not alone, but instead those who respected him and those who would morn his death surrounded him. The amount of people by his side gives Montcalm the status of a hero, someone who fought for the French and died trying. People are gathered around him, some with concern on their faces, others crying, and one kneeling at the foot of his bed, praise was what he seemed to be receiving. The artist glorifies his death by painting him almost as a silhouette and having him resemble an angel because his garments were white and so was the aura surrounding him. This reinforcing that he was a heroic figure and his death was not to be taken lightly. If you look at the people in the painting, you will see that the members of the church such as nuns and priests stand amongst the soldiers and pray for his well being. This is very important because the French were very connected to their church and it played an important role in their lives. In the painting, it is shown that the church came to him and knelt before him where as it is at church were we kneel before the lord.
-Suman Lali
hartcamp 9:04 pm on October 3, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This painting of General Montcalm on his death bed after being wounded in battle represents feelings not only of Quebec nationalism in Canada at the time, but also that of a strong Catholic presence. Having Montcalm surrounded by many people both of martial importance and religious, he’s revered as a figure that died for his country, and that’s something seen as being supported by the Catholic church. The glowing aura and whiteness surrounding Montcalm’s body makes him appear to be holy and almost saint like. The way that he is being honored and mourned in the image reflects the strong French-Canadian presence in Quebec at the time (and that has been maintained since). Montcalm’s heroism in battle was something very highly revered admired, and perhaps the artist created this work with the intention of showing that off in hopes of inspiring future generations of soldiers to live with as much dedication to their nation as well as their church, or rather the Catholic church.
-Campbell Hart
Connor Munro 1:05 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The political representation showing the death or dying Montcalm in the painting is to add meaning to a simple act. The purpose of the painting is to add drama to the death of the person. Surrounding the person with people and every single one of them is looking at him that he died surrounded by people who loved him. Making it look like a significant death that was a terrible tragedy. The ideological purpose is to show how anyone would like to die(especially in a position of power) rather than how he actually died. To show French nationalism in Quebec. Making his death seem graceful and meaningful and trying to honour the man(rather than his death meaning nothing) for serving France and the Catholic Church. The artist tried to add features to symbolize a great man that died serving his country and the Catholic Church while also showing nationalism that could be used as a form of propaganda. Also, showing the French-Canadian nationalism by the people surrounding him. The painting portrays the fallen hero that was Montcalm in a way for others to see his importance to the Church and French government but also as a possible way of honouring the man for his service.
eself 3:12 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This painting is a representation of the death of Montcalm and the influential role he had in Quebec during the battle at the Plains of Abraham. There is great symbolism in that he did not die on the battlefield, but is shown to have been taken to bed to die in peace and tranquility with his countrymen at his bedside. It is shown that he was instrumental both as his role as a General, but also in the Catholic church, by way of the priest and nuns praying at his bedside. The painting makes his death seem instrumental in the fall of the French in Quebec to the British. It shows that even to death, he fought for his people within Quebec. Also, noone is sitting down, they are either standing or kneeling as a showing of their respect for Montcalm during this time.
-Elizabeth Self
bedard 3:17 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The image above represents the death of the French General Montcalm, after he was wounded and put to his death bed in the battle at the Plains of Abraham. The image depicts General Montcalm dying a heroic, noble death. Montcalm is being honoured on his death bed for fighting for his country and his beliefs in a French-Canada, which also made Montcalm an important person to the people of the church. In the image we see a very sombre mood, with Montcalm on his death bed, surrounded by other French solders, a priest, kneeling nuns, paying respect to a figure that they all view very noble and hold Montcalm as a very respected general. With the people who surround Montcalm on his bed, we get a sense of who was politically in power over French-Canada.
Tamara Ling 3:46 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This photo depicts the death of General Montcalm as a hero. Montcalm is famous for his part during the Seven Years’ War, where he commanded the French forces at the Plains of Abraham. In the end, he died in this battle. The artist is trying to prove the idea that Montcalm helped to reinforce the idea of Quebec’s nationalism and that all Quebec’s citizens should idolize Montcalm for what he did to help the province.
During the past week, I have learned that a media piece, whether it be an art or other form, can completely change the perspective in which the public sees a historic event. This is because the artist can show bias within the art piece. Examples of this include depicting a certain person as a hero or the artist could place him or her in the background. If the person is in the background, a viewer will think of the person as being unimportant and not respected in the community. In this particular artwork, the artist has chosen to show their bias through showcasing Montcalm as a hero that should be revered by all Quebec citizens. People are surrounding Montcalm in a highly respectful manner – the artist is showing that everyone is very sad for his death.
brendanjf 4:10 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The image of Motcalm’s death here is supposed to serve as a sort of political rallying point. Montcalm is intended to be viewed as a hero and a martyr. He commanded the French forces at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and was struck during their retreat. The image of Montcalm at his deathbed surrounded by his peers is supposed to convey the idea that this man was one beloved by many, whose death shall be mourned by the nation he gave his life for. The mythification of important historical figures has an important place in establishing and reinforcing a national or cultural identity. By showing Montcalm as a martyr he is supposed to symbolize a ideal to live up to.
The religious figures also present are there to reinforce the idea of Montcalm as a pious man of God, who will be welcomed into Heaven for his sacrifice. This is reinforced by the brighter colors surrounding him and the white shirt and bed, intended to symbolize putrity. These are all concepts meant to resonate with the nationalistic feeling of the Quebecois, whose Catholic identity is still a very important aspect of their cultural identity, which helped to set them apart from the predominantly Protestant British colonists and reinforced their feeling of a separate identity.
richardj 4:59 pm on October 4, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Montcalm, a glorified martyr ,a defeated hero or a solder shot while running away from the fight. The painting by Suzor-cote was the artist’s interpretation was likely based upon historical manuscript, other art forms and scholarly discussions of his day. During his lifetime and his military career, he was admired as a brilliant General and a devoted follower of the Roman Catholic faith. At the time the painting was completed, a Nationalist debate was raging throughout Quebec in regards to their new provincial flag. The last great battle won by the French over the British was the Battle of Carillon, the battle colors carried by the Canadian Volunteers were represented by the fleurdelyse. Montcalm led his troops to victory on that fateful day only to lose his life a year later in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The painting shows Montcalm as a defender of the faith, a solder to his last breath ready to give his life for the cause of French Nationalism. Upon hearing from his surgeons that he was going to die of his wounds, Montcalm was heard to utter “I’m glad of it”. I believe Suzor-Cote was a Nationalist and believed Montcalm deserved to be the father of the French Nationalist movement.
Tina Loo 11:41 am on October 6, 2013 Permalink | Log in to Reply
General Comments:
Good job everyone. Most of you picked up on the fact that this painting, like Benjamin West’s, makes a visual argument about their subjects; i.e. Generals Wolfe and Montcalm. That said, the two paintings are very different. Many of you commented on the significance of the colours used by Suzor-Coté as opposed to West, but not many of you picked up on the significance of portraying Montcalm dying in bed.
Why show Montcalm in bed rather than on the battlefield? Is it some sort of critical commentary; i.e. that generals die in bed while their troops suffer? Probably not in this case. Could it be that the painter wanted to avoid showing Montcalm dying on the battlefield because that would call attention to a French DEFEAT? He still wanted to portray the French general as a hero, though, so he showed him inside, with no reference to the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (or any other battle for that matter). If you didn’t know anything about the circumstances of Montcalm’s death, you wouldn’t even know he’d been fighting….