Read Chapter 20. Choose a work of art or architecture from the Chapter. You may use the book as a source or you may explore something else not listed in the book if you are feeling curious. Do some research on a search engine and write a paragraph about that place. Feel free to use descriptive language. You may include links to images if you would like. You may write about the meaning of architecture, art, or symbols.
66 comments:
Venus of Urbino, painted in 1538 by Titian, depicts a nude woman identified as Venus. In the near background a dog, symbolizing fidelity, is asleep. The image of a dog usually symbolizes faithfulness, and the fact that it is asleep hints that the woman portrayed is unfaithful. The painting was intended as an instructive 'model' for Giulia Varano, the Duke's extremely young bride. Venus stares at you without a care only covering her genitalia.
-Michael Thomas
The Scythed Chariot, Armored Car, and Pike made by Leonardo da Vinci in 1487 show's Leonardo's plans for war machines. He offered his services to the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. During the time, Milan was under constant pressure from France and had fear of an invasion. The Scythed Chariot was designed with scythes that would rotate like a saw, cutting down the enemy. The Armored Car would have behaved almost like today's tanks except it would have been a simple carriage or "war wagon" with armored plating and guns around it. Finally the Pike was made so that if, by chance, the wielder would miss his target the sharp spikes further down the pike would surely hit the enemy.
Page 465-466
http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/~kuijt/dba169x/dba169x.html
For this weeks homework I chose the Cerne Abbas otherwise known as the "The Rude Man". He is a giant naked man carved into the hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England. The nude man is 180 ft high and 167 ft wide, and holds a knobbled club in his left hand. Believed to be about 400 years old, the first writings about this figure were in 1694. It's lines are created by trenches carved pass the grass and earth to an underlying chalk layer (12in wide and 12in deep), and it is recut and chalked every 25 years. Some think that during the English Civil War, some servants carved the figure to mock Oliver Cromwell. Local folklore states that a Danish giant was beheaded while asleep on the hillside, and the chalk outline was the bodies location. Either way it's giant phallus has been a place for childless couples to come dance around, in hopes of children for hundreds of years.
The piece of art I chose to speak of is Susanna and the Elders. This was a work of art based on a biblical story from the Book of Daniel. It is a story of lust and lies that almost cost an innocent person their life. Susanna was considered one of the most beautiful women in Babylon. She was the wife of Joakim who was a wealthy farmer with an orchard. Susanna was of little means but raised by the book of Moses and feared God. Many men were taken aback by Susanna's beauty but only 2 men, Elders, eventually acted upon their feelings. At first they watched her from a distance as she would make her way through the orchards yet neither knew the other was having the same lustful feelings at first. It wasn't until a short time later that they realized they were both wanting of the same woman. They were ashamed but it did not stop them from attempting to blackmail her into having sex with them. The elders approached Susanna as she was attempting to bathe herself and basically said either you have sexual relations with us or we will tell everybody you did anyway thus ensuring her being out to death. Susanna was a proud woman who decided it was more important to be truthful in the eyes of the Lord than give into adulterous pleasures. The Elders made good on their threat and the towns people believed them. Susanna accepted her fate but cried out to God to make sure he knew she was loyal to him and her husband and that the Elders bore false witness against her. God heard her and he sent a messenger, in the form of a young child named Daniel. He spoke on behalf of the Lord and succeeded in proving Susanna's innocence and the Elder's guilt. He used a legal tactic that is used today by seperating the suspects and questioning them apart from one another. He also stated that you can not condemn a person without examining them either...This is representative of modern day courtroom tactics as well. The Elders were taken and stoned to death according to the Law of Moses. As you can see in the images, there have been many interpretations drawn over the years but they are all representative of the same thing, being a woman using hand gestures to show her disinterest in the 2 men.
http://spaightwoodgalleries.com/Pages/Bible_Susanna.html
The Creation of Adam is a painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. It illustrates the Biblical story of God breathing life into Adam, the first man. It is a very famous painting. Arguably one the the most famous in the world.
The sculptor of Pluto and Proserpina (1621-1622), by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, sparked my attention by the amount of detail that was put into this creation. The marble statue depicts a story of Pluto, the god of the underworld, who kidnapped Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres and Jupiter. In the event, he returns with her to Hades-where he rules-making Proserpina his Queen. Ceres, the mother of Proserpina, also known as the Goddess of Earth, was so devastated that she turned the world into a barren desert. Out of fear, Jupiter sends Mercury to Pluto requesting that he release Proserpina. Complying with Jupiter's orders, Pluto releases Proserpina back to Ceres, her mother, who welcomes her daughter's arrival to Earth with flowers. This is how the myth of Spring, and Winter occurs. Where Proserpina spends six months with her mother, and the other six months with Pluto, signifying the start of winter. It also includes the three-headed dog, the guardian of Hades at the bottom.
Detailed Picture from side view:
http://www.burkepaterson.com/
bmad/uploaded_images/Bernini-
-Persephone-detail-723246.jpg
Full size picture:
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/
borghese/en/eproserp.htm
Mona Lisa was not well known until the mid-19th century when artists of the Symbolist movement began to appreciate it, and associated it with the ideas of feminine mystique. The painting was among the first portraits to depict the sitter before an imaginary landscape.The Mona Lisa has survived for more than 500 years, and an international commission convened in 1952 noted that "the picture is in a remarkable state of preservation."
“The Music Lesson” is a Baroque style oil painting by Johannes “Jan” Vermeer that allows viewers to experience a glimpse of wealthy Dutch Heritage. It was created during the time span from 1662 – 1665 and is now a part of the Royal Collection in Saint James’ Palace in London. It depicts a warm scene of a young woman playing a keyed instrument slightly resembling a luxurious coffin called a virginal. A male figure, which appears to have a concerned expression, accompanies the woman in the portrait as well. In the painting there is also a remarkable amount of detail. Vermeer carefully captured the fine aspects of the design on the virginal down to the different shades of black hue on the marble floor. He was also very thorough when illustrating the light that poured through the stained-glass windows onto the instrument and wall. On the contrary, the artist did lack detail when he painted the reflection in the mirror above. Notice the blue chair is present in the picture, but not in the mirror’s emulated image.
http://www.artchive.com/vermeer/vermeer1.html
The Mona Lisa,also known as the La Gioconda,is an oil painting done on wood.Leonardo da Vinci painted this work of art in 1503 and is still very popular today.The popularity of the painting was not known until the mid-nineteeth century.The appreciation of the Mona Lisa is due to the use of coloring,her expression,and the art in femininity.Lisa del Giocondo,where Mona Lisa came from,was the wife of a wealthy merchant Francesco del Giocondo.
I love the light on her hands and the subtle way her face is serene.She looks to me like she is at peace and very happy with her life.Da Vinci used a sitter and painted an imaginary landscape, which was one of the first.
The painting has been preserved for almost 500 years and hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France.
The Last Judgement painted by Michelangelo between 1536 and 1541,is centered around Christ,captured in the moment when the final judgement is uttered.His calm gesture commands attention and placate the agitation surrounding.In the upper lunettes are groups of angels bearing in flight the symbols of passion.Next to Chrit is the virgin who turns her head in a gesture of resignation,she can no longer intervene in the decision but only wait for her judgement.In the center is the angels of the Apocalypse which are wakening the dead to the sound of trumpets.On the left the risen recover their bodies as they ascend toward heaven.On the right angels and devils fight over making the damned fall down to hell.In 1564 the Congregation of the council of Trent decided to make some of the figures that seem "obscene"covered.The task of covering drapery was givin to Daniele da Volterra.
Pre-Columbian refers to the cultures of all of the peoples who lived in Mexico, Central America and South America prior to the arrival of the Europeans at the end of the fifteenth century. The cultures of the Pre-Columbian peoples are distinguished by their monumental architecture and the preference of working in stone. The Colossal head at Villahermosa in Mexico, and the Pyramid of the Sun are some of many art that still remaining from that era.
The piece of art I chose was “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannas Vermeer circa 1665. This painting is sometimes referred t o as “the Mona Lisa of the North” or “the Dutch Mona Lisa”. I love paintings like this because it leaves the spectator wondering about the lives of the people in the painting. What relation does she have to Vermeer, what is her story? This painting is amazing because you can see so much emotion on her face, even though there isn’t much expression on her face. I love paintings/art that is mysterious and that’s why “Girl with the Pearl Earring” has always been one of my favorites.
I wanted to discuss a sculpture that we hadn't touched on in class, The Ecstasy of St. Theresa. It dipicts Theresa looking as if she is on the brink of death and surfering. While the angel to her left looks down upon her joyfuly as if she is happy that her anguish is about to be forgotten. It looks as if there is a spear or a arrow in the angels hand giving the image that she will end Theresa's sufering. And the bronze fixtures behind them i gathered to be the rays from heaven.But what caught my attetion was how perfect and flowing their clothing was. I mean how could anyone have such patience and skill to carve a marble slabe into a piece of art work such as this?
For this week I chose The Resurrection of Christ by Rembrandt. I choose this painting because I liked how he used the emotion of light (for good) and dark (for evil) to contrast such a great moment. This painting was done with oil on a canvas, which I know is very hard material to work with. The detail and beauty of the piece is brilliant to me. This piece is actually only one of 5 passion paintings that stadtholder Federik Hendrik. I looked at the other paintings as well and they are just as magnificent as this one. I could not locate all 5 pieces on the internet, but looking at all of Rembrandt's work, it is obvious to see that he really liked to stay on the deep and soft side of color which I tend to like because it is calming effect.
Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time, painted in 1546 by Brozino, appears to be about lust, fraud, and envy. This painting depicts obscure imagery with erotic overtones. This painting really caught my attention because it seems a bit disturbing. It is very strange that Cupid is fondeling his mothers (Venus) breast. I don't guit get that part but I think the painting may talk about a time of lust and new erotic taste in art.
Also if you look closely, the girl behind Putto,m has lions leg. I am not sure what the legs symbolizes but the figure is believed to symbolize fraud.
The Panorama with the Abduction of Helen Amidst the Wonders of the Ancient World was created in 1535 by the Dutch artist Maerten van Heemskerck with a medium of oil on canvas.
Heemskerck created this to be an homage to the artistic styles of ancient Rome while following the influence of Michelangelo. This lavish interpretation of the famous ancient Greek tale depicts Helen, queen of the city-state Sparta, getting abducted from her home by Paris, Prince of Troy.
This panoramic painting exhibits the values of the Renaissance period with the emphasis being on classical styles of ancient Greece and Rome. This painting caught my eye because of its vast landscape and dimension with Menelaus, Helen's husband, in the foreground and Mount Olympus in the backround.
http://www.thewalters.org/works_of_art/itemdetails.aspx?aid=21286
-Shannon Tierney
The Calling of Matthew was painted in 1600 by Italian artist Michelangelo Merisa da Caravaggio.
Known at the time as the most famous painter in Rome, he was contracted to decorate the Contarelli Chapel in the church of San Luigi dei Fracesci with two paintings, The Calling of St. Matthew and the Martydom of St. Matthew.
The Calling of St. Matthew depicts
Christ and St. Matthew telling St. Matthew the tax collector of his destiny and calling for him to join them. The light coming in from the window represents spirituality and the darkness represents the burdens of everyday life. Caravaggio used light and dark in his works to convey emotion.
At of all the potraits and sculptures I find the sistine chapel painting by Michelangelo Buonarroti extraordinary. Michelangelo painted 12,000 square feet of the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512.He was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508 to repaint the ceiling of the chapel. Sistine Chapel was portraying the human creation, and those Old testment events that foreshadowed th birth of jesus. I find it so fascinating how one aristist can paint in such detail the events in the ole testments from the creation and of human history from the fall to the flood. If one is to observe the celling of the sistine chapel, one is able to see the fingers of God and Adam nearly touching, Eve with one leg still emering from Adam's side, the half human snake if the temptation.
Yaxchilan Lintel 24 is a limestone carving from about 725 A.D. depicting the Mayan Ruler of the time, commonly referred to as Shield Jaguar because his personal name is represented by a shield on a jaguar's head, performing a bloodletting ritual with his wife, Lady Xoc. This series of carvings is considered to be the pinnacle of Mayan art with it's high detail and lack of abstraction. Each piece in the series is signed by its artists including this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaxchilan_Lintel_24
-Roberto Cases
The famous painting Mona Lisa is a 16th century oil painting painted by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance period. This painting is a half-length portrait that depicts a woman whose expression is often described as enigmatic. Few other works have been subject to as much study, mythology and parody as this painting. The mystery behind the woman's posture and expression captures many peoples fascination to this day. Today the painting is owned by the French Government and it is on the wall in the Musee de Louvre in Paris, France with the title Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo.
The Birth of Venus was painted by Sandro Botticelli in the early months of 1481. It shows a full-grown woman of great beauty, the goddess of love commonly known as Aphrodite or Venus, she is seen birthed from the sea after the god Uranus having his testicles castrated by his own son and thrown in to the ocean, she then after rises from the sea foam. One can assume that at the right is Aphrodite’s son cupid and his lover psyche, to the left is mother Demeter. The painting is tempera on canvas and is currently located in Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Botticelli_Venus.jpg
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, is a painting by Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. It was painted between 1601-1602, and reflects personal themes of doubt and faith. The painting itself, depicts Saint Thomas, thrusting his fingers in the side of Christ, while two other apostles look on. It is said that Saint Thomas (nicknamed "Doubting Thomas") refused to believe in the reality of the Resurrection until he has seen the risen Christ himself, and felt His crucifixion wounds. As always Caravaggio's lighting and realism heighten the drama of the whole scene, and this painting in particular is considered one of the most physically shocking. The painting currently resides in Potsdam, Germany.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg
Sacred and Profane Love, also known as Venus and the Bride, is an oil painting by Titian. It was painted around 1513-1514.
This painting shows the bride dressed in white sitting beside Cupid and being facilitated by Venus in the flesh. The figure with the vase of jewels symbolizes "fleeting happiness on earth"; and the one bearing the burning flame of God's love symbolizes "eternal happiness in heaven".
The work was bought in 1608 and is currently housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
The Arnolfini Portrait is an oil painting on oak panel by the early Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck in 1434. It is believed to be a portrait of Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini and his wife and is considered one of the most original and complex paintings in Western art history. The placement of the two figures suggests conventional 15th century views on marriage and gender roles. The woman stands near the bed well into the room-symbolizing her place as caretaker of the house, and the man stands looking out the window-symbolizing his place in the outside world. The man looks directly at the viewer, and the wife looks obediently at her husband--his hand gesture is more commanding while hers is more submissive. The illusionism and detail of the painting was remarkable for its time. It was bought by the National Gallery in London in 1842.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/The_Arnolfini_Portrait.jpg
The Last Judgment is a fresco by Michelangelo on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It took nine years to complete. The art is huge and fills up the entire wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel. It was started in 1537 and was finished in 1541. The Last Judgment is a depiction of the second coming of Christ and the apocalypse. The souls of humans rise and descend to their fates, as judged by Christ surrounded by his saints. This art is so distinctive and real looking it’s scary. A lot of people had a problem with is work because of all the nude figures and the fact that you could clearly see the genitalia. And actually the Pope's own Master of Ceremonies, Biagio da Cesena, said that it was no work for a papal chapel but rather "for the public baths and taverns." Later they had an artist Daniele da Volterra cover the genitalia in the fresco.
Mezo American art usually dosnt get the attention as Europian art. though i beleive that this is some of the most amazing art there is. The Olemc are one of the cultures that inhabbited present day Mexico. their time of rule was between 800 to 200 BCE. One of the things they are most known for is the carving of the colossal heads. there are 17 known heads that have been found. each head usually ranges from 6 to 10 ft tall and weighing close to 50 tons. all the heads are carved from volcanic basalt and depicts a face which historians believe are Olmec warriors or gods.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/olmec
The Olmec were a Pre-Columbian people that inhabited southern Mexico around 1400 BCE to roughly 400 BCE. Two important aspects of their culture were self cutting or piercing known as "ritual bloodletting" and sculptures known as the colossal heads. These colossal heads are said to resemble known ballplayers, or great rulers dressed in ballplayer head gear. No two heads are alike and some heads are made from volcanic material found over 80 miles from where they stand. The heads can way up to 50 tons. Each of the headresses have individual symbols and carvings making each one unique and highlight the strongpoints of that ruler or ballplayer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olmec#Colossal_heads
-Marc Kuiper
The School of Athens was a painting that was created between 1510 and 1511 by Raphael. He was a famous Italian Artist from the Renaissance. This painting was originally created to decorate a room in the Apostolic Palace which is located in the Vatican. This is a pretty intriguing painting because it features many great individuals of the past and present. It's a Fresco painting and the linear perspective is what really captures my attention. Up until this point, the other paintings seemed kind of dull and vague but this one was unique. Some of the central figures in this painting include Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato. I didn't really notice this at first but both Plato and Aristotle are holding books. I love Philosophy and some of the greatest Philosophers of all time are featured in this painting. I think that's why I was so intrigued by it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sanzio_01.jpg
Botticelli's The Birth of Venus is so beautiful. It is said the Botticelli used mythological themes to transform his pagan imagery to Christian inspiration and love. Wow! I wonder if it worked. The Nude Aphrodite herself represents innocence itself, a divine beauty free of any hint of uncleanilessness(spelling). She emerges from the sea upon a shell showing her birth. The Zephor wind gods push her to sea where as she steps onto land a nymph reaches out to cover her. Botticelli was truly amazing there is so much movement and grace to the painting it almost makes you feel like its all moving. Beautiful.
This week i have decided to do my home work on "The Last Judgement" by Michelangelo. This Piece of art and history is absolutely breathtaking! The Last judgement was made because of a dispute between Michelangelo and Cardinal Carafa. The artist was accused of immorality and intolerable obscenity, having depicted naked figures, with genitals on the wall of the church. After Michelangelo died the genitalia in the painting were later covered by the artist Daniele da Volterra. The fresco was restored in 1993 under the supervision of curator of the Vatican Museum Frabrizio Mancinelli.
The painting I chose this week is the 'Hundreds of Birds Admiring the Peacocks' by Yin Hong. This is a hanging scroll, almost 8ft by 6ft in size. It is very beautiful and incredibly detailed. Yin Hong was a professional painter in the late 15th century. Some believe the peacock is a symbol of the emperor, and the birds are a symbol of the court officials.
"The birds, accurately drawn from nature, are readily identifiable and include orioles, grosbeaks, hoopoes, woodpeckers, finches, pheasants, and magpies in addition to the prominent peacocks."
the creation of man is a painting located on the ceiling of the sistine chapel. it was painted by michealangelo around 1511. it shows adamn, a normal man, and god, shown with a beard floating in the sky with what could be angels. they are very close to touching their first fingers together. this piece has always struck me as interesting. what a curious experience it would be to touch, or even see god (given that he exists). also, in 1990 a physician published that the shapes portrayed behind the figure of god appear to be an anatomically accurate picture of the human brain.
In my art work I chose from chapter 20, "The Tribute Money" C.1427, Rome done by Donatello David where it bascically is Jesus Christ and his disciples having a debate about whether it was ok to pay taxes to the government when they owe it christ as offering.
http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/ltrupe/ART%20History%20Web/final/chap17EarlyRenaissance/MasaccioTributeMoney.jpg
The Mona Lisa is easily one of the most famous paintings in the history of art. It is a painting known around the world by people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Leonardo Da Vinci painted this portrait in oil in the 16th century, during the Italian renaissance. The original is on display in the Musée du Louvre in Paris France and is currently owned by the French government.The painting was made for the Gherardini family for their home to celebrate the birth of Andrea, the famillies second son. In 1911 an employee od the Louvre stole the painting and by 1913 it was replaced where it still hangs today.
http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/Albrecht-Durer/Adoration-Of-The-Trinity-%28or-Landauer-Altar%29.html
My homework was actually based on two paintings: St. Francis of Ecstacy and Adoration of the TRINITY by Albrecht Durer - both around the 1500's and from the Baroque artistic movement.
What I really appreciate about these two paintings is the attention to detail, the fact that although both are different they have similar characteristics like the flush round-like faces and full flesh tone, but most of all I love the color coordination - it's as if all the colors just leap out at you and radiate energy.
The TRINITY is particulary interesting as it appears to divide everyone depicted into sections as if each quarter is to mean something or have a hidden message. Paintings of this era either reflected draughtmanship (painted loose) or intense color, which both styles were said to be at conflict.
The picture I chose for my homework was “Poet on a Mountain” by Shen Zhou. I choose this piece because the detail of the painting is amazing. I like the way Zhou interprets the elements into his art, it makes it seem more real. I also like how the artist makes it look like the figure on the mountain is looking up at the writing. Zhou aims for self expression thru this painting, which makes it even more special to the artist and the observer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Poetonmountain.jpg
The Creation of Adam is a famous Renaissance piece painted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It's one of nine pieces that depict an episode from the Book of Genesis in the bible. The Creation of Adam illustrates God giving life to Adam. Adam and God are opposite each other with arms outstretched, about to touch. Their similar positions and use of opposite hands/arms illustrates the idea that God created man in his own image, or mirror image. This painting is considered to be one of the most famous in the world and has been parodied many times in movies and television.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simpsons-michaelangelo.jpg
http://www.learnaboutmovieposters.com/newsite/movies/1980s/1982/reg/et-finger.jpg
Looking through Chapter 20, there was one picture that really caught my attention. "Hundreds of Birds Admiring the Peacocks" by Yin Hong. This painting shows the wonderful technical skill of a painter and all of the rich colors that a painter may use. If not knowing what genre this painting is coming from, taking a quick look at the birds and flowers quickly shows you a Song dynasty picture.
The Creation of Adam is a work of art on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo around 1511. It illustrates the Biblical story from the Book of Genesis in which God breathes life into Adam, the first man. This was the fourth painting in a series of panels depicting different stories from the book of genesis and was the last to be completed. It is arguably one of the most famous paintings in the world.
-Mike Jurgovan
http://www.adliterate.com/archives/CreationofAdam.jpg
Raphael painted The School of Athens in 1510 in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The masterpiece is one of his greatest works of art and is said to perfectly represent the classical spirit of the High Renaissance. What i like most about this painting is how many different historical individuals are depicted to be in it. Plato and Aristotle are said to be indentified in it and some suggest even michaelangelo is in it. I just really think its a great piece of art that really defines a whole era.
The Last Judgment by Michelangelo both intrigued me as well as frightened me a little. Looking at the size of this painting and the amount of detail it is easy to see why it took almost a decade to complete. Depicting the second coming of Christ, The Last Judgment shows the souls represented by nude figures succumbing to their fate by Christ. At first this piece was widely criticized for being immoral dude to the nudity and was said to have no place in a church.
Aside from being a well painted piece, it is also noted for having Christ as the centerpiece as apposed to the traditional horizontal layers on heaven earth and hell. Also the fact the Christ is beardless and muscular, which has often been compared to the Greek sun-god Apollo, with some relation to Christ as the sun and the center of the universe.
www.bestpriceart.com/vault/abc_michelangelo54.JPG
I chose to write about Teotihuacan in Mexico. Teotihuacan is the largest prehistoric city ever constructed, larger than rome. Construction began in 500BC and was continued till well after 300 AD.The Olmec where the original builders the city. At its peak the city housed over 200,000 people. It is hypothisized that the refugies from a volcanic eruption in the nearest populated region was the cause of the largest population boom. Teotihuacan witch means the place where gods are born was also the religious center for the culture for over two decades. Most leaders in that time where associated with the politics of the great city. This amazing city makes me want to learn more about the mayan culture.
I loved Yin Hong's "Hundreds of Birds Admiring The peacocks." The well bloomed and colorful flowers resting on the branches are what draw me into this picture and then I notice the small birds and the peacocks.Yin Hong is said to be defined by his highly refined decorative style. This painting follows the traditional Chinese syle of painting. In this painting, the emperor is symbolized by the peacock while the hundreds of birds represent the court officials. This piece of art was created between the late 15th to early 16th century.
Albrecht Dürer's painted many portraits of himself over his life, but his final one in Alte Pinokothek is the one that stood out the most because of his "christ like" image in the painting. His intention was not to blaspheme God, it was to show that God had created man in his own image. Dürer saw himself as a visionary and suprisingly enough, many artists began painting self portraits of themselves not long afer he did.
This week I chose to talk about the pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Generally speaking when most think of this period in history especially art history, they usually think of the Renaissance in France and England not South America. Even though here lies a huge city with living quarters and places of worship that served several purposes most interesting is a 365 day calendar. To me that is amazing how they were so intelligent to have thought of a calendar and the astrology it took to do so. Maybe these pyramids are not as vividly beautiful as a Leonardo Da Vinci painting but the knowledge and importance it represents is second to none.
Venus of Urbino- by Titian was painted in 1538 that demonstrated the sensuality of the Venitian style. The young lady is laying on a bed with her eyes attracting you to the painting. A dog is sleeping peacefully at her feet and in the background you can see a young child and another woman.
I chose this oil painting because she seems so peaceful laying on her bed with no care in the world. I think that the lady is so lifelike that you can almost picture yourelf in the same room as her.
I chose The Taking of the Christ by Caravaggio. its a very intence piece that shows this artists style of extreme lights and darks. it also shows extreme facial detail which was important in showing the drama and emotion that was key during the Baroque periods. just by looking at the picture you can see and almost feel what each individual person is feeling without any words. www.emptyeasel.com
I chose the painting "Self Portrait" by Albrecht Dürer, the one that we viewed in class.
Like the others who posted, Albrecht Dürer did paint himself in a Christ-likeness. The other details are a scratch of the surface of the detail abound in the image.
Some say that Dürer was trying to show that man was made in God's image. I think that belittles the intelligence of Dürer and the mentality of the Renaissance and after.
Religion in its entirety is a metaphor. None of the stories are really "True." They are intended to teach lessons and provide moral examples, not to mention the fantastical nature of the stories themselves are a just as outlandish as the Olympian gods of Greece and the Pagan gods of Rome.
Dürer was showing the divinity of man. Christ is a metaphor of the divine, which can be found in all things in all places. Everything is divine. "Self Portrait" is a message. Albrecht Dürer is Christ. I am Christ. You are Christ. And his message is that the concept of "I" is the snare, or the pitfall trap of mankind. The message is that we are all one and the same. No one is better than anyone else, at the same time that no one is worse than anyone else. Anything, for that matter.
Albrecht Dürer's "Self Portrait" is a reminder of our commonality, as well as a slap in the face of every die-hard, can't-think-for-themselves religious fanatic that believes their stories to be fact and Truth, just because someone else told them it's true, and they better believe or face DIRE consequences. Not a slap of hatred or ill-will, but a slap like a bucket of cold water, screaming "WAKE UP!"
It's just saying, "Think for yourself, and work together."
This week I decided to go with a piece simply named Spring. It was created by Giuseppe Arcimboldo in 1573. This style of art is reffered to as grotesgue, which is a picture whose subject is created from other forms. This picture includes fruit, vegetables, and flowers to make up the form of a man. The picture is one of 4 that makes up a series titled Four Seasons. I found this interesting because the entire piece from the eyes to the nose is made out of the flowers,fruit, or vegetables. His use of color and design is quite amazing.
http://ecs.lewisham.gov.uk/
youthspace/ca/Guiseppe/seasons1.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Claude_Lorrain_026.jpg
Claude Gellee, known as Claude Lorrain for the Duchy he was born in, was an Italian painter active between 1630 and 1680, dying around the age of eighty. He was known for his landscape paintings, among them is his 1674 painting A Seaport at Sunrise, which depicts a quiet, but busy port that seems to be set in Ancient Greek or Roman times. I found this to be an especially beautiful work - the sun rising over the ocean, the sun mirrored in the sea, and the people working dutifully with the face of a classically designed temple or building looking upon the water. What appears to be latin is engraved in the stones at the top of the building, and the whole scene is one of tranquility, beauty, and duty and perserverance.
I want to focus my attention to a great Renascence artist, his name Leonardo Di Vinci. Not only was he a great Renascence artist be he is one of the greatest artist of all time. He lived from 1452 until his death in 1519. He was basically good at everything; some say he was the first true Renaissance man. He was a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer. Today his name is associated with his great works of art like the Last Super, and the Mona Lisa.
I chose to write about the Rape of Europa. Rubens was one of the most methodically assimilative and most prodigiously productive of Western artists. His abundant energy fired him to study and emulate the masters both of antiquity and of the 16th century in Rome, Venice, and Parma. His warmth of nature made him responsive to the artistic revolutions being worked by living artists, and robust powers of comprehension nourished his limitless resource in invention. He was able to infuse his own astounding vitality equally into religious and mythological paintings, portraits, and landscapes. He organized his complex compositions in vivid, dynamic designs in which limitations of form and contour are discounted in favour of a constant flow of movement. Rubens' voluptuous women may not be to the taste of modern viewers but are related to the full and opulent forms that were the ideal of womanhood during the Baroque period.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.blog.yahoo.co.kr/ybi/1/0b/c1/minium3926/folder/3421075/img_3421075_892890_4%3F1198325269.jpg&imgrefurl=http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/minium3926/892890.html%3Fp%3D1%26t%3D2&usg=__m3anL8Z03zNufu9Z1X_8uWq6dGU=&h=670&w=725&sz=292&hl=en&start=9&tbnid=w65_nC6ORpDVLM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=140&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Brape%2Bof%2Beuropa%2Bby%2Brubens%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4ACEW_enUS313
The Last Judgment by Michelangelo was painted between 1531-1541. It is painted on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It took more then 9 years to fully complete. Michelangelo started this painting about 30 years after he completed the ceiling of the chapel. The last judgment shows the second coming of Christ and the apocalypse. The souls of the humans rise and fall to their fates after being judged by Christ who is surrounded by his saints.
The Last Judgment was an object of a heavy dispute between Cardinal Carafa and Michelangelo. Michelangelo was accused of immorality and intolerable obscenity, having depicted naked figures, with genitals in evidence, inside the most important church of Christianity. As a result a censorship campaign (known as the "Fig-Leaf Campaign") was organized by Cardinal Carafa. The genitalia were later covered by the artist Daniele da Volterra, whom history remembers by the derogatory nickname "Il Braghettone" ("the breeches-painter").
Adam and Eve, the Ghent Altarpiece.
At the Ghent Altarpiece there are two tall, narrow panels showing Adam and Eve these are daring figures of the earliest monumental nudes of Northern panel painting. They are hardly less than life-size, magnificently observed and caressed by the most delicate play of light and shade. Their quiet dignity and their prominent place in the altar suggest that they should remind us not so much of Original Sin, as of man’s creation in God’s own image. Actual evil by contract is represented in the small, violently expressive scenes above, which shows the story of Cain and Abel. This pieces of art are so striking that even their pictures in a book will capture your devote attention.
Raphael's The School Of Athens is very interesting. This intuitive work depicts the Neoplatonists in contemplation. Plato and Aristotle walk side by side as Plato points upwards and Aristotle points down, symbolic of their views. Many other philosophers are depicted as well including many pre-socratic thinkers. This work is regarded as a window of divine inspiration and it is located in the Vatican Palace in Rome.
Leonardo da Vinci was a genius of the renaissance period. His skills were legendary - painter, architect, engineer, mathematician and philosopher but he is perhaps best known for his paintings especially that of the Mona Lisa. She was believed to be 24 years old at the time her portrait was painted.
Da Vinci started to work at this painting in 1503. He spent four years on the portrait. It is painted on 77 x 53 cm poplar wood. He never sold the portrait. It has been suggested that the portrait of the Mona Lisa is in fact Leonardo's female version of himself. On August 22, 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen but soon recovered. In 1956 an acid attempt damaged the lower half of the painting, the restoration took several years.
The one piece of art that i liked the most was the Venus of Urbino.The reason why I like this painting more then the sleeping venus is because the Venus of Urbino is suppose to be the more sensual version. It is also the first of it's kind to show a woman posed like that on a bed without any outside background, she is posed on a bed with sheets naked in a room.And even though it is showing her naked it shows how the womans body can be beautiful.
http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth213/Titian_Venus_urbino.html
The Birth of Venus really caught my attention because I thought the painting looked really beautiful, and you could sense that's what it's supposed to portray. According to Classical mythology, Venus emerged fully grown from the sea. Venus appears on an enormous shell that serves as a platform. She stands in the center of the painting, modestly covering her nude body with elegant hands and masses of golden hair. A gentle breeze, which is personified as a wind god, lifts the hair of Venus. The wind also causes draperies to flutter attractively, and a myriad of pink rose blossoms also float on the soft current of air. This wind-blown effect simultaneously activates the painting and captures the moment of birth beautifully. Venus is flanked by two groups of figures - on the left, the aforementioned wind god Zephyrus and his female companion, and on the right, a female figure who is identified as one of the Hours (who were also known as the Horae, or Seasons, in Greek mythology). According to the Greek myth, Aphrodite(Venus) was born when the titan Chronos castrated Uranus, his father, whose severed genitals fell into the sea and fertilized it.
Pre-Columbian art is particularly interesting because people who we believe to be uncivilized had very advanced techniques for their time.
They were able to create entire cities out of stone and sculpt any material. I chose a simple earring beacause of the detail of the picture on it.
Large circular ear ornaments were popular personal adornments of prominent ancient Peruvian lords and a symbol of their status and wealth. The weight of the frontal, which could reach widths of more than four inches, was counterbalanced by a long tubular shaft that went through the distended hole in the earlobe. Particularly impressive are those earflares with colorful mosaics. On this pair, bird-headed (or masked) winged runners, worked in turquoise, sodalite, and spondylus shell, hold bags in their outstretched hands. Their eyes and beaks are sheathed in gold. They may be depictions of mythological messengers.
http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/arts_of_africa_oceania_and_the_americas/pair_of_earflares/objectview_enlarge.aspx?page=1&sort=0&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=1&dd1=5&dd2=0&vw=0&collID=5&OID=50012941&vT=1
The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous paitings in history and in the world. It is a 16th century painting, which means that it was painted during the renaissance. I think the Mona Lisa is entoxicating, her smile is not like a real smile so it confuses you and you have to sit there and wonder what she is thinking. Funny fact is that it looks like she was painted with out eye brows. Another thing is what happened to her? For such a famous painting no one knew who she was or if she even exsisted. It is said that few other works have been put through so much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa
"Giovanni Arnolfini and the Bride" By Jan Van Eyke is considered one of the most complex and original paintings in Western art history. At first glance, some sections of the painting almost look like a photograph because of the precise detail like the chandelier and the convex mirror. What interests me most about this painting is the symbolism behind most if not all of the objects and details. The bride is wearing a green dress suggesting her willigness to bear child if not already. There is a debate on weather she is pregnant by looks or if it was the style back in the renaissance time period. The fruit in the window sill are symbolic of wealth and luxury. The dog is not only for quardianship but also faithfullness and love. The one candle burning on chandelier is known as a devotional candle or maybe even God's all-seeing eye. My favorite part is the convex mirror. It's 10 sides depict scenes from the life of Christ. Also, in the reflection is a tiny self portait of Van Eyke and the "official witness" of the ceremony itself. And right above the mirror is Van Eyks signature, which is pretty much unheard of becasue artist usally sign there work on the bottom or on the back. This is such an interesting peice of artwork and I could go on and on about it but... I won't. Thank you for reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnolfini_Portrait
I choose Tintoretto's Miracle of the Slave. This work was done in 1548 and its medium is oil on canvas. This work depicts St. Mark rushing in from above to save the slave from certain death by the executioner. There is a rising spiral that is created by the central figuresof the slave, the executioner, and St. Mark. This rising spiral is said to be a characteristic of mannerism.
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