Pinney's 'Peace'

EUNICE PINNEY’S THE COTTERS, SATURDAY NIGHT (C.1815)

Was painted in a time of reform and enlightenment in America (early 1800’s). In this piece, we see aspects of gender change and moral reform. The setting seems to be a modest home, possibly the Cotter’s as the title hints at. We can guess at this as there is a cat under the table, clothes hanging (as if drying) on a wooden bar near the ceiling, plates in a cupboard in the background, and mostly a bare and wooden interior. We can also hypothesize that it’s a ‘Saturday night’.

The title of this painting is very direct which is not typical of a painting’s title. Usually we aren’t given a place and day. This interesting format could be seen as an indicator of the times they are in: different, fresh and simple. In this piece someone (possibly an older man) seems to be reading scripture by candlelight. Many sit around him and look thoughtful. However, my interpretation could be wrong as they could be also disinterested, their arms are crossed and their expressions are blank. However, one thing I’m sure of is that women and men are side by side hearing the readings. This is turn of the century. Typically women and men probably wouldn’t sit side by side and study something together before the 1800’s but reform was being imposed. Furthermore, the dove above their heads seems to stand for peace (in biblical times, we see the dove find dry land and bring peace to Noah and his family on the ark). In other words, the doves above may represent the reform as a peaceful time for many.

Eunice Pinney’s painting is simplistic in it’s style and form but there are many details here to dissect. No matter what, she has given us a representation of the age of reform from her perspective which is valuable for understanding this time in America’s culture.