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Week 10: Chapters 29 & 30

In Chapter 29 and 30, Adams covers new eras of artwork including minimalism, pop art, and abstract. According to Adams on page 518, abstract artwork emerged from a combination of Regionalism, Social Realism, and a large quantity of talented European artists moving to New York (Adams 518). I noticed that a lot of abstract artwork is defined with nameless shapes and seemingly “unfinished work.” I saw this most clearly in Ablers’s series of paintings called “Homage to the Square.” As described by Adams, Ablers uses texture and medium to create his work, rather than detail and characters (519). Despite the simplicity of his piece, “Study for Homage to the Square,” Albers contrasts lines with different textures in the red square he painted. It should also be noted that his main goal for this project was to investigate light and color perception. As quoted by the artist himself, “Art should not represent, but present” (519). I think Albers speaks for many of the abstract artists of this time with the belief that there artwork was not created to mirror items and describe their thoughts, but rather to explore simplicities and leave details ominous.

The second painting that caught my eye in this chapter was Willem de Kooning’s “Woman and Bicycle.” Kooning’s painting showed a crazed woman in the midst of rough and violent brushstrokes. Adams described the painting as, “an attack on the idealized Classical image of female beauty,” and comments that the woman’s body is massive and overtaking before it melts into uninformed brushstrokes (525). I think Adams is trying to tell readers that the artwork not only provokes viewers through it’s physical appearance, but it also dismantles the idealized woman in previous techniques seen in the Renaissance period. I like this piece because of it’s demand to be looked at, and it’s ability to normalize imperfection. It left a vague disturbance and interested from the expression of the woman depicted. To me, this painting has so much character and emotion that it draws the viewer to it even if it is frightening.

Moving in to the late 1950s and 60s, many artists began to reject abstract artwork using real objects and items found in everyday life. I found this interesting because of how quickly the techniques changed from drastic downplay to American objects. My favorite Pop-Art piece was created by Wayne Thiebaud entitled, “Thirteen Books.” In this oil on panel painting, Thiebaud painted a stack thirteen colorful books with blurred title names. I liked this painting because the meaning behind it was really interesting, and I would not have noticed it at first glance. According to Adams, the books are closed and blurred because they are meant to suggest “hidden, secret content.” She also describes the books as floating on a white plane, and his use of shadow to create sources of light and absorption (Adams 539). At first glance, the books look inviting due to their colors, but I can now also see the mystery incorporated into the painting and it connects me to the feeling of reading a book. I really enjoy reading, and I think Thiebaud captured how reading can be an adventure for anyone, but one must first open the book or it will forever hold it’s mysteries.

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I loved Thiebaud’s “Thirteen Books” as well and I really appreciate your interpretation of it. I love the mystery component of the painting, in particular the fact that the titles of the books are unreadable, suggesting that there is hidden, secret content. Most of the time, the title of a book is what leads me to reading it, so for the titles to be blurred is an interesting concept, but it almost makes me want to read them more. Not knowing anything about the books in this painting besides the size and the colors is what, to me, makes this painting beautiful; it also makes it a little less complicated but a lot more open for interpretation and discussion, so I appreciate that.

Week 10

I really enjoyed this weeks reading of chapters 29 and 30, from the different forms of art, unique styles and a variety of different artists. The very first thing that caught my eye this week was Action Painting. Action painters “drip, splatter, roll and throw paint onto their canvases, with the result that the final image reflects the artist’s activity in the creative process”(pg.520 of the textbook). I found this style of art insanely cool because although it looks simple and fun, there are definitely different ways and techniques artists go about creating their pieces. Jackson Pollock, for example, engaged his whole body in the creation of the painting; he controlled the placement of his strokes, splatters and drips by positioning his whole body in different ways. His view of this type of painting is really neat to me, as he says “On the floor I am more at ease. I feel nearer, more a part of the painting”. I really love and appreciate that because it makes me feel as though he puts more emotion in his work. Through the colors, position of drips, splatters and throws of paint, you can not only imagine how his body felt depending on what physical position he was in, but for me, I can almost feel the emotion, I definitely resonate with the feelings that I believe are being portrayed. Along with that, even though I don’t know exactly how he was feeling while creating his works of art, I think it’s definitely up for interpretation, like most works of art.

I think it’s pretty safe to say that I’m obsessed with Navajo Sand Painting. Not only do I appreciate it because of how it looks, but also because it is specific to a group of people, which makes it unique. Navajo Sand Painting is created by crushing colored rocks, ground to the consistency of sand. I appreciate the Navajo’s intention behind the creations as well, which, on page 522, states “According to Navajo belief, humans had been preceded by Holy People who created sacred images in nature”, thus becoming a form of communication between the human and spirit worlds. These paintings are said to have been created in order to exorcise the evil spirits of disease from a sick person; I find that perception so fascinating and appreciate it wholeheartedly. I’ve always been interested in alternative ways of thinking, which I believe this is, so it really caught my eye and kept my attention.

Chapter 29 was fun to explore, but I really appreciated Chapter 30, mainly because it contains more recent works of art, which for some reason I don’t know to explain, interests me more. While I love most art work from Pop Art to Minimalism, the main thing about this chapter that I enjoyed was seeing and reading about Niki de Saint-Phalle’s Black Venus, which is a part of her general works called Nana(pg. 541). I absolutely loved this painted polyester sculpture for not only the colors used, but also the fact that it portrays a black, curvy woman. All bodies are incredible, but to see a lesser-preferred body on display is beautiful and brings up a lot of emotions for me, such as hopefulness, joy and love. These emotions come up because this was created in the timespan of 1965-1967, which I’m not sure was a time of appreciation for any body, at all, but especially not fat, black women’s bodies. I mean, these days, there still isn’t as much appreciation for them, so to have had someone create a piece like this shows that there are people who aren’t afraid to express themselves, aren’t afraid to be radical and are appreciative and loving toward their bodies; which is to create a revolution and I am excited about that.

Overall, this weeks readings were powerful, imaginative and compelling to me. I love the variety of colors and forms used in the works, as well as the diversity of the artists that were featured. This was definitely the most fun week for me.

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Chapters 27-28 Post

When talking about different works of art from separate time periods, I feel there is a sort of bias towards the earlier pieces. I look at older paintings and prints from the 1500s and think that they have a more sophisticated feel to them. They are depictions of real people and settings, clearly detailed and designed. On the other hand, when I look the works in Chapters 27 and 28, I have the opposite impressions. The works in the Cubism and Futurism fashions give me these kinds of ideas, labeling them as less classy, which isn’t fair to the artwork.

One painter I recognize using the Cubism for is Pablo Picasso. The use of color and space greatly differs from other earlier forms of art. His piece Three Musicians stuck out to me the most, not looking like anything before it. The whole painting is made up of simple shapes and contrasting colors. The figures depicted do not resemble actual humans, but the way the outlines of the shapes work with each other creates something that can be identified as people. The simple shapes in Cubism can have the same end resulting idea as older techniques, three people with instruments.

Another art style that differentiates itself from the past is Futurism. Futurism was made to break away from the old art styles, totally setting itself apart from previous ideas and relating itself to modern concepts. One piece I think does this well is Unique Forms of Continuityby Umberto Boccioni. It is a sculpture piece, not of a person, but of a person-like figure, expressive of someone walking along. The statue is golden and looks wavy and fluid, even though it is a solid mass. It has curves to it that look like a flowing sheet in the wind. There are no human characteristics other than the legs of the piece. Everything is made out of the same material and has the same smooth golden texture to it.

For the assignment, the video talking about art and the ideas people have about certain works was interesting, and it ties into the works coming around during the late 1800s. I have heard people talk about art, saying that they could have done that, that it isn’t as difficult or tiring as others make it out to be. I feel that I too have done this at some point in my life. However, I have learned that there are several different aspects to consider when looking at an art piece.

For starters, making art is not always easy. The ways some artists go about making is different than traditional methods, taking more time, requiring more skill, and having different results. Piet Mondrian’s painting Broadway Boogie Woogieis an example of this. The piece is a series of different colored squares and rectangles all making a sort of cubic web. It would take a lot of time to paint out each small section while making sure the shapes were correct. I’m sure there would be shortcuts like using tape to straighten the lines, but making art is only half of it.

Artists put their own feeling and experiences into the art they make. They show a variety of emotions through their own personal styles, and sometimes those styles happen to be very simplistic. Just because someone could replicate it does not mean it would carry the same emotions. It is important to look at every angle of a piece, both the physical work and the message behind it before saying that you are capable of doing the same.

lostinarthistory

I was definitely humbled by the video this week. I, too, have had the thought of “I can do that” come to my mind about art, but I never really considered what actually goes in to making “simple” artwork. Just the fact that I didn’t make it, I didn’t think of the idea or go on to produce it is enough to go against my over-confident thought of “I can do that!” I really appreciated how passionate the woman hosting the video was about this common misconception people have of their own abilities and I think I now have a much greater appreciation for all art, even the most “simple” or “basic” works.

Week 9 Blog

This weeks video, “I Could Do That” really caught my attention and opened my eyes to how important “simple” works of art really are. I’m definitely guilty of looking at paintings or drawings and saying “I could do that”, but could I actually? Most likely, no. As an example of my over confidence though, as I was reading the chapters this week, page 502 of the textbook stood out to me. The two pieces of art created by Jean (Hans) Arp, Collage Arranged According to the Laws of Chance and The Dancer, look fairly simple, almost too simple and the thought of being sure I could create the same thing definitely came into my brain. After watching this weeks video though, I came back to page 502 and really asked myself “Could I really do that?” and the answer is no. First of all, I didn’t think of the idea and even if I did, I wasn’t brave enough to produce it, which are questions she had asked us to think about in the video. I really enjoy these pieces though, especially Collage Arranged According to the Laws of Chance. I appreciate the title because, according to the paragraph on page 502, “Jean claimed to have pasted them where they fell and called the result Collage Arranged According to the Laws of chance, so the title is very literal, which is so simple, yet so creative. The Dancer also seemed too simplistic, but I never would’ve thought to arrange a string on a flat surface to create an image, nor would I have been able to see what Jean saw, which was “a humorous image-a small head on a bulky torso with a circle in the center, with the figure at a slight tilt, the position of its left leg and the upward curve of the right leg to create a convincing impression of a forward motion”. So yes, Dada may look like a simple art movement, but it is indeed very detailed. I would have to say the same for Surrealism. Paul Klee’s Mask of Fear, at first glance, looks like something I would doodle while taking notes in class, but is actually a form of art requiring precise line work and attention to shading; therefore, something far more advanced than I’d like to believe I’d achieve.

I really enjoyed reading about and exploring Picasso in chapter 27. In particular, his 2 works, oil painting of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and pencil and pastel on paper of Les Demoiselles. Although the are essentially the same idea, it’s fun to compare the two and look at the different techniques and supplies he used. I appreciate how Picasso positioned the two ladies in the center of the oil painting with their arms above their head, which are based on the traditional poses of Venus. I can also appreciate how geometry is being used in this piece, how the noses of the figures are elongated and precisely bent, as well as with the breasts and the bending of the arms. Throughout chapter 27, it’s evident that geometric shapes were valued and helped create many different works of art, not only in 2D form, but also architecture, as shown on page 494. Frank Lloyd Wright used the system of Cantilever Construction to produce Fallingwater, Bear Run, PA. This system is “one in which a horiztontal architectural element, projected in space, has vertical support at one end only”(pg.495). This specific building shows that geometry had to have been used because of the measurements that had to be done to balance every building block for the structure. Overall, these two chapters interested me, as well as the video, which I really enjoyed because it made me think hard when I become a bit overconfident in my (nonexistent) artistic abilities!

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Week 8 Blog

The artist that I know the most about is Vincent van Gogh because of my elementary school art teacher. The Starry Night and van Gogh’s ear always were points of emphasis anytime we started and made new projects. Moving into the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, we will encounter more of the art that often is known today as well as my favorite art from van Gogh. In this blog, I will analyze main points from chapters 25 and 26 of the textbook while relating them to the experiences of my own life.

Vincent van Gogh as I said is my favorite artist for a couple of reasons. Vincent comes across as extremely peculiar for a multitude of reasons. The first reason is because van Gogh only dedicated the last ten years of his life to painting (p. 457). Given that Vincent only lived for 37 years from 1853-1890, that means he spent roughly only a fourth of his life painting. However, in that short amount of time, the accomplishments of van Gogh would live forever. The Starry Night, which is known to be van Gogh’s most touted work, was an Impression painting, oil on canvas. The strokes of the wind through the air blowing across the night sky over a Dutch village are so distinct as well as vibrant for the dark hue of the painting. What strikes me as amazing is that this painting was done in a mental asylum and is said to reflect a disturbed mind. While I can see where people might get the disturbed mind feeling from the dark hue of the painting, I do not think that is how it is perceived today. I think it is just admired for the image’s creativity.

The second work of art that was shown in my elementary school teacher’s classroom was The Scream. I remember it very distinctly as it sat on the right side of the chalkboard in his room. I also tend to remember this because I wore a scream mask for Halloween for like two years in a row as a kid. However, even though I know the painting, I couldn’t remember the artist, Edvard Munch. In contrast to van Gogh, Munch lived for a much longer period, from 1863-1944. In comparison to van Gogh, Munch was said to suffer from mental issues (p. 464). Munch was more of a Symbolist (works often suggest states of mind and ideas), the most notable Symbolist work being The Scream, as I mentioned earlier. This painting is very interesting as it is seemed to be painted in waves and curves. The figure which is doing the “screaming” has its hands covering its ears. The hands are curved around the head and blending along with the pieces terrain which are curved as well. This piece is meant to describe a scream of colors and nature, as Munch felt for inspiration for this piece. I believe this painting could also express a disconnect from society as the character is blocking out the “noise.”

Moving onto the early twentieth century, we have Expressionism and artists such as Franz Marc and Vassily Kandinsky, who were a part of the German Expressionist group, The Blue Rider (p. 472/473). Off the bat, I am going to be honest, I find this genre of art to be similar to looking at a world of nothingness. The bright exhibition of blue, green, orange, and yellow lull me to sleep along with the often-long shapes used in these works. One of these works that tend to lull me to sleep is The Large Blue Horses by Franz Marc. This painting is said to represent red dogs, pink skies, and blue horses. However, the only thing that I can make out from the oil on canvas painting is a few blue horses. I was actually able to make out more from Marc’s other corresponding painting, Small Yellow Horses, which is essentially a template of the horses used in The Large Blue Horses, painted yellow and placed on another piece of canvas, with a different background.

Overall, I was mostly impressed by chapter 25 with the works of van Gogh and Munch. Their works resembled each other with the Impressionist styles. It was also interesting to see that these artists went through mental suffering and still produced legendary works. As for chapter 26, I will hold my silence (or you can just read the second to last paragraph).

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I believe that the expressionism art can be interesting although the piece, Panel for Edwin R. Campbell No. 4 by Vassily Kandinsky had me confused. It was a piece representing the winter season although it is full of color. As a midwesterner all I see in the winter is typically whites and maybe some browns in the grass. I get what you mean when you say it’s similar to looking at a world of nothingness, it makes me wonder what they were looking at or thinking of when they created these works of art.

rhoadsj-blog

Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” has always been one of my favorite paintings. Van Gogh often used the technique of impasto, which is when the artist lays the paint on the canvas very thick and even sometimes applies the paint directly to the canvas rather than using a brush to transfer the paint from a palette to the canvas. Van Gogh used the impasto technique in “The Starry Night”, which adds more texture to his swirling sky and wavy cypress trees.

lostinarthistory

I also really loved that van Gogh was mentioned in the chapter this week. His work is beautiful and I enjoyed reading about him as a person. I appreciate his work because of his mental instability and was interested to learn that while painting “Starry Night”, he actually had mental clarity that allowed him to use concepts to create such a beautiful piece. I’ve always read that during the time he was painting “Starry Night” that he was at his lowest point, mentally, which I guess may have been true, as just because you’re mentally unstable doesn’t mean that your knowledge is lessened. I enjoyed this chapters overall, but very glad we covered van Gogh as an artist.

Ch. 25+26

One of the things that really stuck out to me about chapters 25 and 26 were the colors used. I appreciate how bright and powerful they were. Mont Sainte-Victoire by Paul Cezanne(pg 455 of the textbook) was the first painting that really stood out to me. I appreciate the use of geometry that brings this piece together; “Geometry pervades the picture, not only in the cubic character of the brushstrokes but also in the trapezoidal mountain, the rectangular house in the middle ground, and the structured curve of the foreground road”, (pg 455, column 2). I like learning about how some artists create their artwork, I never really think about there being strategic ways in which artwork, particularly paintings, drawings, forms of 2d art, are created and I can appreciate this because I have not one artistic bone in my body, so this is very insightful.

Something I was wondering about from the beginning of this course was if we were going to learn/talk about Vincent Van Gogh, as he is one of the most influential painters to me, and I was pleased to see that he was brought up in chapter 25. His Bedroom at Arles really speaks to me because of its deep meaning. “Figures who do not communicate are replaced by an absence of figures. The artists existence, rather than the artist himself, is indicated by furnishings and clothing” (pg 457). With this quote, it makes you look at the painting from a new perspective than you maybe would’ve if you don’t know anything about it by first glance. Bedroom at Arles is merely a painting which shows the pairing of many different things, as there are two of everything (2 chairs, 2 pillows, 2 windows, etc) exemplifying the pairing that he was not able to do with another person; inanimate objects paired in place of his lack of union with another human. Van Gogh is my favorite painter for many reasons, but I’d say the biggest reason being that he was a very deep, emotional and troubled human being, in which I can relate, though preferably not getting into detail. He expressed an immense amount of sorrow through his work, with colors and concepts. The Starry Night was something that I assumed, as well as many other people, was painted as a “reflection of a disturbed mind”(pg. 458), but I soon learned that that was not the truth. According to the textbook, Van Gogh’s control of the formal elements, his technical skill and intellectual clarity shine from this painting. I find this interesting to have read because I believed for so long that this was a painting he created during one of the darkest points of his life, which, I guess, it may have been, and art was a way for him to “escape; that just because his mind was warped doesn’t mean his sense of creativity and knowledge was.

The early twentieth century was a very fun period to read about and look at. The bold colors that were used really caught my eye as well as all the different forms of art, from Fauvism to Expressionism to Matisse. Of the three, I’d have to say that Fauvism interested me the most. I appreciate the use of odd color combinations, unnatural color choices and the emotional exuberance shown through the paintings. Matisse’s The Joy of Life is a great example of how Fauvism uses unnatural colors to express natural, realistic situations. The colors of reds, yellows, oranges and greens are not typically used to show physical human interaction, but for me, it exaggerates the passion within the painting, which I really enjoy. Overall, I really enjoyed reading through these chapters and getting the opportunity to feel the emotions related to each of the art forms.

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Realism and Impressionism (week 7)

Throughout the 19th century, realism and impressionism were quite popular in all aspects of art. This century was a turning point in the social and economic status of Western countries (Adams, 416). Adams defines realism as being a “direct observation of society and nature, and political and social satire” (416). Artists used contrast in colors, along with light to show suspense and realistic concerns within society (418). During this time period of realism, the use of photography began. An English photographer discovered “negative” film which leads to the exploration and expansion of creativity with photography (422). Growth in this aspect of work grew dramatically. Likewise, this aspect of this chapter and realism interested me the most, because I enjoy photography very much. I took photography all throughout high school, and still enjoy taking pictures of landscapes.

The artist Nadar was said to be the pioneer of portraiture and aerial photography (422). His portraits played with black & white, and therefore contrast between light. Photography was controversial though because it was associated with “industry and science rather than the arts” (423). Similarly, architecture also was said to be not an aspect of art either, but instead a “utilitarian structure” (429). The most important piece of architecture that arose from this period of realism was the Eiffel tower. Structures like skyscrapers were also created because of the use of steel and concrete.

Similar to realism, impressionism evolved during this same century in Paris. The main difference between these two styles is that impressionism often left political events out of the artwork. Instead, artists focused on landscapes, leisure activities, the environment, and cityscape (433). Many artists used contrast in colors, lighting, shadows, and also abstraction sometimes. I thought that it was interesting that artists took into consideration the weather, time of day, and seasons while completing their artwork. This seems like it made their work different and more unique than other works that have already been completed in the past centuries.

While reading this chapter, it seemed like most of the impressionist painters used brush strokes that evoked a sense of movement. One painter that really caught my eye was Claude Monet, a painter that focused on “landscape[s] who studied light and color with great intensity” (439). Landscapes are always one of my favorites as I enjoy spending time in nature, even if I am just sitting outside. He was unlike other painters of the time because he actually painted and did his artwork outdoors and in addition, blurred much of his paintings with his strokes (439).

In the painting, Water Lily Pond, he used a lack of motion, but instead used broken up colors. This created a pattern that allows the viewer to grasp his concept of the water and reflected light in the painting (441). I enjoyed this work because of the calmness in the water, but also because it featured nature and the outdoors.

On the same hand, painters Renoir and Pissarro painted landscapes of the city that all demonstrated the contrast in color and light in a city. These paintings had people in them, along with their shadows. Overall, impressionists really wanted the viewer to have a “slice” of life, whether it be nature, city, or private life. Often, there was tension, truth, or just plain reality in the paintings, which all conveyed the artists’ intentions of realistic art.

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Landscapes were also always one of my favorite works of art to ponder as well and Claude Monet really did a wonderful job depicting these. I really enjoyed his painting Sunrise because of its calm colors and then the subtle pop of the orange sun. The majority of his paintings strike a very calm nerve in me and therefore, are very easy for me to look at and enjoy. One of his paintings that is a bit brighter though is Water Lily Pond, and although the colors were a bit more intense, it was not any less breathtaking.

Ch. 23&24

Nineteenth century realism is by far my favorite part of art history thus far, from it being a time of revolution, particularly holding the first women’s rights convention in New York to new scientific research and discoveries such as Darwins Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection, the art of this time really captured the beautiful and sometimes, painful reality.

One specific artist mentioned in chapter 23 that really captured my attention was Rosa Bonheur. Her paintings, like the one seen on Page 417 of the textbook- “The Horse Fair”, are beautiful as they are, but it’s the backstories of her paintings that really entice me. “Consistent with Realist interest in scientific observation, Bonheur dissected animals from butcher shops and slaughterhouses; she also visited horse fairs” (Page 416 of the textbook). That’s very interesting to me because it really shows how serious she was with her paintings. She wanted to make her paintings as realistic as possible and went so far as to dissect animals to make sure her depictions were accurate. I appreciate this because to me, it’s important to make sure my judgements are accurate before I make any decisions or really settle on an opinion.

Lithography (page 420 of the textbook) is a form of technology in this chapter that really interests me. I really love the older ways of making things because I think new technology is overwhelming and I want to appreciate original ways of crafting while we still have them. A lithograph is created when an artist makes a picture with a grease crayon on a limestone surface and it stays on the surface because the limestone is porous, so it can “hold” the image. I’ve actually used similar machines, such as a printing press(shown below). I really enjoyed that experience because it actually put into perspective for me how spoiled we are today with modern technology, as this thing was hard to get used to, and you have to spin the wheel to make the print, which is heavy!

In chapter 24, my eyes really opened my eyes to the beauty of Impressionism. Claude Monet’s Sunrise on page 439 of the textbook really spoke to me. I really loved the calm colors and the pop of the orange of the sun, just looking at this painting brings me a sense of peace. I appreciate Monet because of his focus on the outdoors for the majority of his work. He illustrates the beauty of nature really well, another great example of that being his Terrace at Sainte-Andresse, page 440. The colors he used were beautiful and realistic, as well as the outfits of the people in the painting.

Sculpture of Nineteenth Century Impressionism was stunning as well. The Thinker, page 446, by Auguste Rodin in 1904, was one of the sculptures I enjoyed. “It’s large, muscular body are created by the figure’s formal tension and sense of contained energy”, it is a meditative piece that is immobilized by thought. The Thinker is a piece that I think doesn't need a title to describe it, as its intention is fairly obvious, which is something I enjoy. While the title suggests what is happening within the work of art, whether it be a painting or sculpture, how you depict it is ultimately, what I think, is important. Art is beautiful in many ways; being able to read it your own way and take it to heart is, to me, the ultimate beauty.

Printing Press, originally created in 1450 by Johannes Gutenberg

lizfass-blog

Week 5: Baroque/Rococo

The Baroque style was popular in Europe but was a collection of different styles and influences. It often “tended to be relatively unrestrained, overtly emotional, and more energetic than earlier styles” (Adams, 333). With that being said, there were many works that played with the contrast of light & dark, leading to the inviting observers and viewers into the artwork. In Italy, France, and England, Baroque was the main style during the late 16th century until the 17th century. Baroque also used Gothic and Renaissance styles (Adams, 342).

While reading chapter 19 about Baroque, I was surprised to read about Artemisia Gentileschi. She was a follower of the artist Caravaggio, a popular male artist during this time period. Gentileschi was said to be “one of the first women artists to emerge as a significant personality in Europe” (Adams, 348). I related to this because so far, we have not read about many female artists so, it is interesting to read and see her artwork. However, her artwork is more gruesome, which can be said to be one characteristic of Baroque (Adams, 349).

Baroque was also seen in Northern Europe, such as Holland. Artists here focused on landscapes, portraits, and many other styles. Just like the other artists in Italy, France, and England, they still focused on contrasts of colors and lighting. Baroque also had an influence in Spain and could be seen in various artists work (Adams, 363).

Eventually, the Baroque style was refined to be more somber, less violent, and contain irony or satire (Adams, 367) and was called Rococo. Like I said above, during this time period is when women become more apparent in art. Adélaïde Labille-Guiard is a perfect example of this. While viewing her painting, the viewer can see a portraiture of herself, along with two pupils (Adams, 372). This suggests the fact that women are becoming more prominent and important in the creation of art.

Another piece of work that stood out to me in chapter 20 was created by Thomas Gainsborough. In this piece, it is a portrait of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan and the background is a nature scene. The contrasting elements make the subject (the person) stand out. Also, his use of light playing off of the trees, her dress, and the rocks she is sitting on also make the painting more interesting. His use of lighting, color, and diagonal axis’ aides in the movement and my attraction to this painting (Adams, 375).

Likewise, throughout the two chapters we read, it can be understood that women are more prominent in art. Although most of the work from this time period was created and praised, by males, women are being recognized also. Women were painted in many portraits by male artists and eventually, women artists had work that was being celebrated too.

Overall, the Baroque and Rococo style was a revival of particular styles in paintings and architecture. Classism and Gothic style was often represented in the works (Adams, 380). Later, we would see aspects of this artwork in the future (Adams, 384).

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I also really enjoyed reading about Artemisia Gentileschi. I enjoy reading about women in the arts in general because you don’t see them represented very often. All we tend to read about is men and how amazing they are and their artwork, when women are kind of pushed aside. Even with Artemisia Gentileschi, we had to read about a man to get to read about her. Regardless, we got to read about her and see an example of her artwork. I actually really enjoy her piece on page 349 because of the fact that it’s gruesome and raw. Without even knowing anything about the piece, it makes me feel different emotions that are deep and help me to really get inside the artists head, which I enjoy.

Chapters 19+20

I’m really into the architecture and sculptures displayed in these two chapters, I’m not really into paintings, but really enjoy three dimensional works of art. Although, one painting I did really love, on page 361 of the textbook, was Vanitas Still Life by Maria van Oosterwyck. I particularly enjoyed this piece because it was created by a woman. There aren’t a lot of artists talked about during this time period who are women, so when I come across one, I get really invested and appreciative. While I love that this painter is a woman, her Vanitas Still Life really is a beautiful painting in my eyes. This whole painting represents decay, as shown by the decaying skull, the stalk of grain been eaten by a mouse and the hourglass, showing the passing/decaying of time. In a way, this piece is kind of morbid, which is something that I can really appreciate because it makes me feel things, such as sadness and empathy. Another part of this painting that I enjoy is the flowers because they represent, to me, kind of “the light when all you see is dark” and I really love that.

Architecture is something that is very unbelievable to me especially those in these two chapters. Gianlorenzo Bernini, baldachino, St. Peters, Rome on page 335 of the textbook is just beautiful. Italian architecture is very detail oriented and has such ornate structures, it really catches your eye and there’s always something to observe and marvel. This piece of architecture in particular has four twisted columns, decorated with acanthus scrolls and surmounted by angels that support a bronze valance resembling and canopy that was used in religious processions. Just from the descriptions, without even looking at the picture in the book or on your own, you know that there is going to be lots of details and things to look at. The colors used in the architecture of Italy is very bland, including golds, grays and whites may be quiet colors, but they speak volumes, such as St. Peters piazza design. It is a round, almost courtyard that is composed of white pillars and elliptical and trapezoidal shapes, used to offer an outside space where people can gather, give and receive messages and prayers. From the picture in the book on page 336, it doesn’t look as large as it actually is, saying it can accommodate more than 250,000 people. Figure 19.6 on page 338 of the textbook also shows the impressive architecture of Italy, where the shapes and design matter and speak louder than the color, as the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane(19.6) is white. Although a simple color, the high ceilings and massive pillars as well as the beautiful altar make this space something to talk about. The interior dome of the San Carlo alle Quattro is composed of many shapes, which provide different meanings, such as the oval oculus containing a triangle in the middle of the dome is the geometric symbol of the Trinity and an emblem of the Trinitarian Order, important to the church and community.

Architecture in England, page 380, The Chiswick House, comes of as a very powerful place and beautiful building created by Richard Boyle. It is based on Andrea Palladio’s Villa Rotonda, but on a much smaller scale. The columns are Corinthian, and the dome may be shallower than that of the inspiration for this building, but “the proportions and spirit of Chiswick are unmistakably Palladian”(pg. 380). Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hills is another example of beautiful European architecture, with the same bland colors of previous buildings in these chapters, but made up for in beautiful details such as battlements, buttresses and tracery with vaulting on the interior.

These chapters definitely interest me more with the art style than previous chapters!

rhoadsj-blog

Week 3 - Early/High Renaissance

This week’s reading covered both the early Renaissance and the high renaissance. Both of these time periods are an important time for art. The early renaissance contained a large change in style by incorporating oil paints as media and the high renaissance brought us many very well-known and highly valued pieces of art.

In the early Renaissance, I found it to be really interesting how big of a difference in detail there is between the work of the artists from the Netherlands and the artists of Italy. According to the textbook, the Italians tended to use tempera paints whereas those in the Netherlands leaned more toward oil paints. The use of oil paints allowed the artists from the Netherlands to create more precise details in their art than the Italians could with their tempera paints. I really enjoy the intensity of the colors the artists from The Netherlands were able to produce in their paintings. It’s such a huge difference to turn between pages 267 and 268 in the textbook. If one were to focus on Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus tempera painting on canvas, which is an absolutely stunning work of art, in my opinion, on page 266 and then flip to pages 268 and 269 that contain paintings that incorporate oil paints, like Robert Campin’s Merode Altarpiece and Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece, it’s almost like going from low definition to high definition resolution on a television. The intricate details can be seen in figure 15.32 on page 268 that zooms in on a very small image of Christ carrying a cross near the windows from Robert Campin’s Merode Altarpiece and figure 15.34 on page 270 that zooms in on God’s crown from Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece that shows the fine details in the gems of the crown.

The high renaissance is when many easily recognizable paintings were created, like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and Michelangelo’s work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. According to the textbook, the high renaissance uses the word “high” to mean that the work from this time had very high approval. One artist’s work, in particular, stood out to me very strongly in this chapter and that was Giorgio da Castelfranco, as known as “Giorgione”. His work can be seen from page 300 of the textbook to page 302. What drew me to his work is the absolute beauty in the way he painted women’s bodies. He chose to use realistic body types for the women he painted, making their bodies more pear-shaped, which is a very common body type for women today, and it seems as though it may have been common in the 1500s as well. Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus on page 301 is a very beautiful example of the way he painted women’s body types.

In conclusion, the early renaissance contained a large change in style by incorporating oil paints as media and the high renaissance brought us many very well-known and highly valued pieces of art. Both of these time periods from this week’s reading are an important time for art.

lostinarthistory

I really appreciate that you pointed out how Giorgione painted women’s bodies. His paintings are more of a realistic depiction of typical women, where the bodies look full and beautiful. There is something to be said for his works because in all 3 of his paintings in the book, the women look different, yet realistic and beautiful. I also appreciate that those women are unclothed, revealing all of their beauty, like he didn’t feel the need to hide anything, which speaks to me because that’s how I want women of all sizes, races, etc to feel-that they’re beautiful just the way they are, like they don’t have to hide anything. Women’s bodies are truly works of art.

Week 3-Chapters 15&16

Early Renaissance-1400-1500

I’m realizing that a lot of the work revolves around religion. With paintings like the “Holy Trinity”, displayed on page 250, the construction of the Florence Cathedral on page 246 and the sculpture, Medici Venus, displayed on page 253, depicting the Greek Goddess Aphordite. I’m not incredibly invested in any type of religion, so when I’m exposed to things that revolve around religion, I tend to lose interest pretty quickly. I am though, a little more interested in those types of things when there’s some morbidity involved, which I realize makes me sound crazy, but I need a little bit of excitement here, you know? For example, on page 244, under The Competition for the Florence Baptistery Doors, it talks about Genesis 22. In Genesis 22, Isaac’s father, Abraham, obeys God’s command to sacrifice his only son as an act of faith but at the last minute, an angel breaks through and instructs Abraham to substitute a ram for Issac. That little story interests me because there’s a little bit of excitement involved. There’s also a painting “Descent from the Cross” (pg.274) that interests me for the same reason, because it’s a little bit morbid-I mean, they’re taking Jesus’ dead body off the cross! I don’t get a strong sense of excitement from many religious things. I’m sure there are many other stories like this in religious readings, but I’m not invested enough to read through them.

Through the majority of the reading in chapters 15 and 16, who you read about are men, so I became very interested when I came across Isabella d’Este on page 265. I get pretty tired of reading about men, mainly because they’ve always been “in the spotlight” throughout history, while women were in the background, so getting to read about a notable woman was nice. Isabella was the marchioness of Mantua. She was able to receive a humanist education and “followed the contemporary fashion for designing intimate, private studies, which, before Isabella, had been reserved for men”. I’m proud of women like her who were/are not afraid to step up and make a difference.

High Renaissance-1480-1570

One thing I really enjoy about the High Renaissance are the pen and ink drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. I really appreciate these works because they’re so delicate, raw and beautiful, especially because they’re only made from ink. One of da Vinci’s works “Vitruvian Man”(pg. 280), is an example of, what I consider. a powerful work of art. I also love his “Embryo in the Womb”(pg. 283). I appreciate both of those works because they have to do with the human body, which is something that really intrigues me. Something else about the High Renaissance that I’m really enjoying is the color used in art from the Netherlands. It’s very warm and really catches my eye. Someone from this time that stands out to me is Raphael because he, at age 24, went to Rome and painted portraits and other works. He stands out to me because I’m 24, and not doing half the things he’s already done in his life. The kind of message I get from him, even though it isn’t really explained, is to do what you enjoy and follow that path.

Chapter 14

One thing included in chapter fourteen that really caught my eye and attention is Ambrigio Lorenzetti’s Effects of a Good Government in the City and the Country. I really appreciated this piece because it’s something that can be related to modern day. In this work of art, what is shown is a lot of good things that happen when the government is run for the people instead of, maybe, against them, or without their input. Government tends to forget that there is a whole country they have to run with all sorts of different people in them, so sometimes the way the government is run is very biased and unfair. Women in this painting are shown to be dancing in the latest clothing and singing, there are people riding horses through the city, there is a school..all of this showing how the government is for the good of the people. With so many buildings, animals and farms, which can be seen in the background, show that both agricultural prosperity and architectural construction are among the advantages of good government(pg.236).

I can, based on my personal opinion, relate this painting to everyday life, by talking about today’s government and how it is, pretty much, the complete opposite of this painting. Compared to this piece, where Ambrogio tried to convey tranquility and prosperity in society through the government, the US society as a whole is fairly chaotic, not many groups of people have equal rights. Also, unlike the message of this work, where “there is a clear warning of the consequences of social disruption” with people getting punished for upsetting society, people in the US, including people of authority and in our government, don’t even get reprimanded.

Chapter 14, as a whole, very eye opening to me. There were many modern views shown through the artwork, such as Giotto’s Kiss of Judas(pg. 235), where it shows, what looks like, two men facing each other, ready to kiss. That really speaks to me because it shows radical viewpoints on a form of intimacy, so I appreciate that. Right in the beginning of the chapter, on page 222, there’s a picture and information on Pisano’s “Nativity”, a piece that I really enjoyed. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but the fact that it’s made from marble is incredible. I’m not religious, by any means, but that does not affect my interest in this piece. Out of many types of art, whether it be sculpture, as Nativity, or painting, as Effects of a Good Government in the City and the Country, I, typically, take more interest in sculptures because they are so complex. Not to say paintings aren’t complex, sculptures just take on a whole new level, literally 3-D, of art.

I don’t love fourteenth century art, or anything but fairly modern art(post-Impressionalism-present). Not much of the Renaissance interests me, including art. I guess a reason for that is because I don’t relate to a lot of it, or what I know of it, anyway. I am able to appreciate it, though. No matter the time it was created, art is a beautiful way to express oneself and to also get inside others’ minds, and that, in itself, is interesting to me.

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Introduction for Art History

I am interested in Art because it is an engaging way for people to be able to express themselves. Art can also be representative of something more than just a piece of artwork. Likewise, I am interested in history too, so I believe art history will just be interesting to learn about.

Outside of school, I enjoy baking, running, hiking, and hanging out with my friends & dogs. I’m going to be a junior in the Fall at Luther College and am majoring in Nursing.

There is not anything specific that I am hoping to cover in this course. I am just excited to learn more about art history because it has been since high school that I took an art class.

Below is one of my favorite paintings. This is at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa. It’s painted by a Norweigan artist.

lostinarthistory

I really enjoy this painting, it’s very colorful and peaceful, thanks for sharing this. I’ve been to Decorah many times, but I’ve never visited this museum, although I would like to.

Introduction

1. What interests me about art and art history- art, no matter what form, is a beautiful way to express oneself. It’s interesting to me how different people look at and interpret art in so many different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to produce or look into art, I believe it is a matter of individualism.

2. Outside of art, some of my interests include reading, crocheting and writing poetry. I’m currently writing a book of poetry and hope to publish it by the end of this year.

3. Is there anything specific I hope this course covers? I’m hoping we get to explore different specific artists, like Van Gogh. According to his history from books and online sources, he seemed like such an interesting guy. I feel like I relate to him a bit in terms of his mental health and way of expressing his feelings.

4. I’m super into anatomical art, I actually have a version of this heart tattooed on me.

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