The artistic dimensions of Semuel Franklin Cody’s show activity

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the main milestones of life, stages of cultural and artistic activities and reveal the personality of Samuel Franklin Cody - a representative of show business and professional art showman of the late nineteenth - early twentieth century. Methodology. A number of scientific search methods have been used. The biographical method became optimal for revealing the main stages of the showman's life. The study is also based on methodological tools integrated with culturology, history, art history. General scientific methods are used - analysis, synthesis, and principles of scientific analysis - reliability, impartiality, etc. Scientific novelty. For the first time in Ukrainian science, in particular art history, an attempt was made to analyze the life, artistic activity, and significance of showman Samuel Franklin Cody. Conclusions. Samuel Francis Cody is the most famous showman, creator of the show "Wild West" and author of large kites Cody War-Kites, which could lift people. In S.-F. Cody, no doubt, was an innate talent of the showman, which was supported by certain traits - courage, openness to the new, impartiality, activity, generosity, adventurism, etc. The first role is played by the brightness of the image, the diversity of talents, the desire to create, entertain the audience, and be in the center of its attention. Without exaggeration, as a pioneer in today's popular show business S.-F. Cody can be considered the most talented person of his time, who saw far ahead and played a significant role in the formation of world show business, the profession of the showman, and the whole socio-cultural reality.