In previous articles, we illustrated how the treasury of fine art can help counter the alarming decline of historical literacy. That blog employed J.M.W. Turner’s painting, “The Slave Ship,” to amplify a historical incident and key background in the in the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement. To demonstrate how a single artifact has versatile potential to transmit broader historical lessons, I will reemploy the same Turner masterpiece to help trace the lasting impact of the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” a spiritual song of redemption that resonates with diverse audiences spanning Evangelical Christians to politically left-leaning folk singers.

1. Tracing the lasting impact of the
hymn “Amazing Grace”
BY
http://isaacsonseries.com/

2. In previous articles, we illustrated how the treasury of fine art can help
counter the alarming decline of historical literacy. That blog employed
J.M.W. Turner’s painting, “The Slave Ship,” to amplify a historical
incident and key background in the in the history of slavery and the
abolitionist movement. To demonstrate how a single artifact has
versatile potential to transmit broader historical lessons, I will reemploy
the same Turner masterpiece to help trace the lasting impact of the
hymn, “Amazing Grace,” a spiritual song of redemption that resonates
with diverse audiences spanning Evangelical Christians to politically left-leaning
folk singers.
The lyrics to “Amazing Grace” were composed by John Newton and first
appeared in 1779, six decades before Turner completed his iconic
painting. Turner’s, “The Slave Ship.” depicts the heinous act of a slave
ship captain ordering the casting overboard and murder of 133 chained
slaves.

3. While Newton, a former slave ship captain, was not associated with
such a heinous act to garner insurance funds derived from “lost cargo,”
the depiction of a slave ship terrifyinglyclose to sinking in a ferocious
storm could depict the incident that started slave ship captain Newton
on his path to redemption. In 1748, a violent storm battered his ship so
relentlessly, Newton plead to God for mercy, promising to change his
sinful life if spared from the storm. Newton’s ship was spared, and he
began studying Christian theology.
In 1764, the former slave ship captain was ordained in the Church of
England, and he began writing religious hymns for services. “Amazing
Grace” first appeared in print in 1779 and was joined in melody with a
tune titled, “New Britain,” creating the classic which continues to inspire
a vast array of audiences to the present day.

4. Newton biographer, Jonathan Aitken, estimates that “Amazing Grace” is
performed nearly 10 million times each year. Beyond its influence in
folk music, it has become a standard African-American spiritual. But
someone wishing to inform an audience of the circumstances that
inspired the classic words of the hymn would be well served by
displaying the powerful Turner painting completed in 1840.

5. The Magic Museum, The Isaacson Series in Youth Literature - An
enchanting children's book that tells the story of a 12-year old
skateboarder (Jack) and a ballerina (Jacqueline) who whispers to him
from an Edgar Degas painting in a fine arts museum. A wonderful way
for parents to introduce fine art and engage children (ages 8 to 12 years
old) in the art of visual storytelling and imagination.
For More Information on The Magic Museum Book, visit -
http://www.isaacsonseries.com