The Enchantment of Ancient Egyptian Art

Not Intended to Be Art

Ancient Egyptian art was produced in the lower Nile Valley around 3000 BC to 100 AD and consisted of painting, sculpture, and architecture . The static, formal, strangely abstract, and often blocky nature of much Egyptian imagery has, led to comparisons with later, and much more ‘naturalistic,’ Greek or Renaissance art. However, the art of the Egyptians served a vastly different purpose than that of these later cultures.

While today we are taken-aback at the wonderous treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun, the sublime registers in New Kingdom tombs, and the serene beauty of Old Kingdom statuary, but the strangest notion to remember that the majority of these works were never intended to be seen. Most of the surviving art comes from tombs and monuments that heavily emphasis on life after death, and the preservation of knowledge of the past.

Behind the Art

Ancient Egyptian art forms are characterized by regularity and detailed depiction of gods, human beings, heroic battles, and nature, and a high proportion of surviving works were intended to provide solace and utility to the deceased in the afterlife. Artists endeavored to preserve everything from the present as clearly and permanently as possible. Ancient Egyptian art was created using media ranging from papyrus drawings to pictographs (hieroglyphics) and include funerary sculpture carved in relief and in the round from sandstone, quartz diorite and granite. Ancient Egyptian art displays an extraordinarily vivid representation of the Ancient Egyptian’s socioeconomic status and belief systems. Egyptian art in all forms obeyed one law: the mode of representing Pharaohs, gods, man, nature and the environment remained consistent for thousands of years.

Embracing the Two-Dimensional World

Paintings of Two-dimensional individuals is what comes to mind when I think of Egyptian art and what Egyptian artists are known for. They embraced the two-dimensional surface and attempted to provide the most representative aspects of each element in the scenes rather than attempting to create vistas that replicated the real world.

Each object or element in a scene was rendered from its most recognizable angle and these were then grouped together to create the whole. This is why images of people show their face, waist, and limbs in profile, but eye and shoulders frontally. These scenes are complex composite images that provide complete information about the various elements, rather than ones designed from a single viewpoint, which would not be as comprehensive in the data they conveyed

In the Temple of Ramses II at Abydos (New Kingdom). Artist unknown, photo taken by Dr. Amy Calvert.

The Creation of Registers

No not where a cashier checks you out, but by definition a register where sciences ordered in parallel lines. These registers separate the scene as well as provide ground lines for the figures. Scenes without registers are unusual and were generally only used to specifically evoke chaos; battle and hunting scenes will often show the prey or foreign armies without groundlines. Registers were also used to convey information about the scenes—the higher up in the scene, the higher the status; overlapping figures imply that the ones underneath are further away, as are those elements that are higher within the register.

 

On a painted box from the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Egyptain Museum, Cairo. Artist unknown.

Sculpture

The sculpting style of the Egyptians was much like the relief style of their paintings, meaning most of sculptures the feet, legs and head of each human figure are shown in profile but the torso, shoulders, arms and eyes are depicted as if from the front. The representation can be seen in the earliest sculptures on a slate slab of the Pharaoh Narmer commissions in 3100 BC.

 

Architecture

As many individuals around the world know that Egyptians were famous for their architecture, specifically “The Great Egyptian Pyramids.” Ancient Egyptian architects used sun-dried and kiln-baked bricks, fine sandstone, limestone and granite. Architects carefully planned all their work. The stones had to fit precisely together, since there was no mud or mortar. When creating the pyramids, ramps were used to allow workmen to move up as the height of the construction grew. When the top of the structure was completed, the artists decorated from the top down, removing ramp sand as they went down. Exterior walls of structures like the pyramids contained only a few small openings. Hieroglyphic and pictorial carvings in brilliant colors were abundantly used to decorate Egyptian structures, including many motifs, like the scarab, sacred beetle, the solar disk, and the vulture. They described the changes the Pharaoh would go through to become a god!

The Great Pyramids Video

My absolute favorite sculpture is the most colossal sculpture of the ancient world is the Egyptian Sphinx. The great lion with a human face is carved, like most of the statues, from limestone. This sphinx is supossedly guarding the pyramids at Giza. Its face is believed to beat the features of Khafre, son of Khufu.

My Reason of Choice

Personally I’m amazed at the art in this time, especially with having little resource in material. Although, slaving many thousands of innocent people to do the work doesn’t quite sit well with me, the outcome it astounding! It was truly amazing the artwork that the Egyptians accomplished specifically the Great Pyramids and the Egyptian sphinx! I love most of the works because even though most of the artifacts found were for the Pharaohs and their families in the afterlife, many reflected history which is one of the amazing qualities of art!

References

“Art of Ancient Egypt.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Apr. 2014. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.

“Egyptian Art.” – Smarthistory. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.

“Egyptian Pyramids.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2014.

“HISTORY OF SCULPTURE.” HISTORY OF SCULPTURE. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.

“Sculpture of Ancient Egypt.” Egyptian Sculpture: History, Characteristics. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014

 

 

 

Disappearing Art

Art For The Moment

Since the influence of Dada and Surrealism many artist of the post modern age had a wide range to expand on what could be really called art. With this new definition of art in mind artist expanded their materials and surfaces upon which their art would take form. Such materials as the classic canvas, wood, ceramics, photography, and even metals. But one new art form took the streets of the art world by storm and my opinion is still; street art.

As mention in my first blog I’m already a big fan of street art, specifically graffiti art. But what makes street art in post modern age something to really admire, is that it wasn’t permanent. Many artworks were lost forever after nature took it away. Although some were photographed, many were only created for a moment of praise. Personally I think this is the most inspiring type of art so far because I believe the artist solely do it for themselves and not praise from other individuals. The following artist are the epitome of this believe.

Kurt Wenner

Is known as one of the few Master Street Painters. Although American, Wenner got his start as a teenager in 1982 on the streets of Rome. He was heavily influenced by the technique used in frescoed ceilings to create the illusion of height, also known as anamorphism. He single-handedly created the original 3D, he made a unique geometry that enabled him to bring illusions to a horizontal surface of the pavement, making it pop out at you. This  new art form became wildly popular due to unique opportunity for groups and individuals to witness fine art in the making, with also the chance for the artist to interact with the audience. This type of art really began the performing visual art movement you see today on the strips of Vegas or Hollywood.

Kurt Wenner’s Dies Irae

Mantua, Italy 1986

This is the most one of the more famous masterpieces done by Wenner, which also depicts his typical style of richly colored handmade chalk pastels. The classical figures generally are stories rising from the pavement to astonish onlookers.

Kurt Wenner’s Reflections

The title certainly gives away the intent of the illusion, but was created in a SWF Documentary in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. Wenner has probably one of the best portfolios I’ve ever seen but this one is very different from the rest because it combines reality and fantasy. The models obviously portray the reality as they gaze into the pool of fantasy. This is one of my favorites because it uses live people in the art but it just as amazing without them as well

Kurt Wenner’s The Ghetto

Lugana di Sirmione, Italy

Finally my favorite! I absolutely think this is phenomenal because of the location the masterpiece is in and just the overall emotion portrayed in it. The name is quite fitting “The Ghetto” which I feel that his point was that there stuck in the chaos of the poor and the only escape is death, thus the young man at the center bottom.

Julian Beever

In1959 Beever was born in Cheltenham, Uk and began anamorphic pavement illusions as a busker, drawing  in different countries including the USA, Australia, and Europ to fund his travel! Although he didn’t think to much of it other then money to travel more his pavement illusions immediately drew some attention. He soon became “the Pavement Picasso” because his masterpieces must be seen from one special viewpoint and if the viewer moves from it the illusion is lost and becomes unrecognizable.

Here is an example of the view point description with Juilan Beever’s Swimming Pool in the High Street.

Beever’s Make Poverty History, this was a request by Live8 to support the pressure campaign on the G8 in Edinburgh City Centre.

Beever’s The Giant Green Grasshopper

What I like most about Beever’s masterpieces is that it is very personal, as in only intended for the individual onlooker and not an audience like Wenner’s. Although most of this I could not find the date and from the grasshopper the place, i love his playful artistic view on pavement illusionism.

The Underlying Theme

In all of these photos of Wenner’s masterpieces have certainly more then one thing in common but my underlying theme is that each masterpiece is forever unattainable. Besides the pictures above that shows that piece, you will never be able to see it in the original and magical spot, it is a disappearing art form that has to be appreciated for just that, appreciated in it moment of glory.

References

Dutoit, Nancy. “Pavement Drawings.” Pavement Drawings. Julian Beever, 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.

“Street Painting | Kurt Wenner – Master Artist, Architect, and Street Painter.” Street Painting | Kurt Wenner – Master Artist, Architect, and Street Painter. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.

The Influence of WWI on the Arts

The Beginning

World War I began on July 28, 1914 and persisted until November 11, 1918. It stared when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This seemingly small conflict between two countries spread rapidly: soon, Germany, Russia, Great Britain, and France were all drawn into the war, largely because they were involved in treaties that obligated them to defend certain other nations.

More than 9 million combatants and 7 million innocent civilians died as a result of the on going war. This was one of the deadliest conflicts ever recorded in history, which paved the way to major influences on the arts of the time particular two movements which born Dada and surrealism.

The Turning Point in Art

“Repelled by the slaughter-house of the world war, we turned to art. We searched for an elementary art that would, we thought, save mankind from the furious madness of these times,” was the wise words of Swiss sculptor Hans Arp that defined the art era. Many artist of the time were escaping reality with the help of art, so naturally depicting reality was no longer an issue to artist of the post WWI era and many art movements were born that rejected tradition forms of art.

Dada

Dada was one of the first movements to come out of WWI. It originated in Switzerland Germany in the chaos of the war. Like many movements, Dada went against the existing style of artistic expression rather than to promote a particular style. Dada reflected the skeptical attitude toward social values but was a the same time could be irrational, playful and most often cryptic. Many claimed that their work was an “accident” of some sort or by chance.

One of the most famous art pieces that really capture the true depiction of Dada for me was Marcel Duchamp’s The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even. Made in 1915-1923, this 9 feet 1 1/4 inches X 5 feet 9 inches, was a oil painting and other media aspects made up the art piece. But it took 11 years for Duchamp to bring this piece to what he called “final incompletion” in which in 1926 it was “finished” according to Duchamp when it was accidentally cracked.

Surrealism

Most artist that was associated with the Dada movement became later involved with Surrealism. Which like Dada, Surrealism challenged tradition but didn’t just leave it up to “accidental” art forms but rather depicted the world of dreams and fantasy. Much the inspiration came from the work of Sigmund Freud, who strived to explain the inner workings of the mind through analyzing and interpreting dreams. Surrealism was the artwork for the insane but was praised for its freedom of expression.

One of my favorite artist of this movement was Salvador Dali. Particularly one of his paintings called The Persistence of Memory. Made in 1931, embodied what Surrealism was all about. The melting clocks depicts the strange warping of time which happens when we dream.

Dada Vs. Surrealism

Personally I love both movement for different reasons. For Dada I like that they broke the barrier of what is considered art but I felt that most of the art wasn’t relatable or understandable for me. But I also the propose of Dada was to be understandable just more of an escape for the artist of the time. Although between the two I’m in love with the idea of Surrealism and most of the pieces I absolutely adore. I like more of the fantasy and thought out works but is really cool about Surrealism for me is that most individuals all have the same thoughts or dreams about life in general. Take Salvador Dali’s painting above, I think everyone has the fear of warped time weather it be to little or maybe we have to much time, but most piece of Surrealism can’t have a different impact on people but with one outstanding theme behind it which is what I really like.

References

“ArtLex on Dada.” ArtLex on Dada. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/d/dada.html

“Eyeconart:Modern Surrealism.” Eyeconart:Modern Surrealism. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. http://robinurton.com/history/surrealism.htm

“World War I.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

Capturing Impressionism

Impressionism

Impressionism, traditionally a French art movement, was against the conventual roles of journalism, portraiture, and story-telling.“Impressionists were more interested in the law of optics and in optical realism as they produced works of art that captured various images depending on the distance from the work of art and the associated color theory.” Which means the way the artist worked was more important the the actual content of the painting itself. Painters strived to capture a fleeting moment, an impression, hinting the name impressionism. This style was very open to interpretation    with its sketchy lines, loose brush strokes, and dabs of color that blended together. One of the first artist to take up impressionism in the United States was Winslow Homer. Homer’s 1868 Artists Sketching in the White Mountains, was a prime example of the subject matter that impressionism was known for; transitory effects of light and weather, pastimes of the middle classes, and pleasant moments.

Winslow Homer’s 1868 Artist Sketching in the White Mountains

Post Impressionism

Post Impressionism was not until the very end of 1900s because it was more formalized, structured, and explored more personal interpretation than normal Impressionism. For example, you can see the dramatic change in color but sticking with the same landscape that Impressionism has in Vincent van Gogh’s Farmhouse in Provence.

Vincent van Gogh’s 1888, 74.9 x 88.9 x 10.8 cm Farmhouse in Provence

Impressionism vs. Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

In my opinion, I think impressionism can be very dull compared to that of the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. Simply because it is solely based on the artist techniques rather then their creativity that most art schools influenced, while the Pre-Raphaelites rejected these ideas and believed that they were corrupting the arts. The brotherhood wanted the return of the “abundant detail, intense colors and complex compositions of Quattrocento Italian art.” For example, Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Proserpine tells the the story of the Roman goddess who lives in the underworld during winter. Compared to that of Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte in which he depicts a lazy afternoon of a small town. You can just tell the difference in styles right away, and in my opinion I love the sharpness that Pre-Raphaelites demonstrates and I love the idea of a story behind each painting.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s Proserpine

Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte

At the same time I believe it can be very beautiful. For example, Claude Monet’s Impression: Sunrise which became the characteristic example of French impressionism. It reminds me of something out of a dream almost, or a scene from Peter Pan.

Claude Monet’s 1873 Impression: Sunrise

References

“Claude Monet.” Impression: Sunrise by. Art in the Picture, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
“Farmhouse in Provence.” Farmhouse in Provence. National Gallery of Art, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
Lori, Dr. “What Is Impressionism? | Dr. Lori Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser.” What Is Impressionism? | Dr. Lori Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser. Masterpiece Technologies Inc., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
“Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Oct. 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.

Rise in the Ranks

The Growing Economic Power of the Middle Class in the 1700’s

During the Neoclassical era, social, scientific, philosophical and revolutionary forces swept through the New World and extended to Europe. Expanding of trade and the start of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution around the corner provided opportunities for the middle class to rise in the ranks of society. Shift in power began to take hold as ordinary people began to question the social order and slowly the monarchies and the Church itself began to lose control and the power shifted to the individual. The middle class was on the rise, fueled by new ideas, new discoveries and the newly developing economic engine of the West.

This movement of the middle class and their on-going growth of economic power had major impact on art, music, and theatre. Once only the influence of the monarchy and the Church but now the middle class became patrons of the arts. They began to influence the style and subject matter of the visual arts that were being produced.

The decline of the Rococo style in France in particular,  had the middle class in an outraged by the behavior and artistic tastes of the aristocracy. Its extravagant, lavish and ornate characteristics, its creamy pastels, and its playful, whimsical, effeminate and amorous themes that emphasized pleasure, came to symbolize the moral decline and physical excesses of the French ruling class. Middle class tastes were much different, and their growing economic power allowed them to affect change through the power of the purse.

However, the Neoclassical style was born. Neoclassical visual art was much more somber and linear than Rococo and Baroque. Subject matter depicted heroism, tributes to self-sacrifice, moral virtue, goodly deeds and Roman ideals. Neoclassical artists looked to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who seemed to espouse some of the same values, and reinterpreted themes from antiquities into works of art appropriate to the more secular age of freedom and reason that was rapidly developing.

Art

Jacques-Louis David was one of the most influential French painter of the Neoclassical movement. His The Death of Socrates, painted in 1787 in France, is an 51″ x 77 1/4″ oil canvas that was commissioned by the Trudaine de Montigny brothers, leaders in the call for a free market system and more public discourse. This painting depicts the very framework that Neoclassical style is based on. The subject matter is somber and the style is linear, using light and dark accents to set the mood and to focus the eyes of the viewer.

The painting depicts the last moments in the life of Socrates. The Greek philosopher is bright and sure and steady in the middle, continuing to instruct even while reaching for the cup of hemlock that will ultimately end his life. The disciples of Socrates are all represented as swooning, save Plato, at the foot of the bed in resigned acceptance, and Crito, touching his master’s leg. Socrates’ wife can be seen in the distance, waving and ascending the stairs. In true Neoclassical style, the painting is a tribute to self-sacrifice taken from ancient Greece, reinterpreted to reflect self-control and assuredness in the face of death, a clear message to the French middle class to resist the unjust authority of the monarchy.

What I love about this painting is that it’s self descriptive, in that if you didn’t know the back story of the painting you can get all the emotion of the story by just looking at it. David’s use of shadowing is just as dramatic as the scene itself and portrays the mood eery and dreadful.

In 1785 another significant example of Neoclassical ideals was created by Angelica Kauffman’s Cornelia Pointing at Her Children as Her Treasures. The location of creation is unknown though most likely in Rome. The scene portrayed above is a classical Rome, with the subjects clean and crisp, with the background scene simple and linear.

I really like this painting for the story behind it. Two Roman women point to their treasures and what they value. The seated woman in red, signifying passion, indicates her jewelry. Cornelia, a widow and proud mother wearing the purity of white, points to her children. What I also really like about this painting it how Kauffman has the youngest child holding her mother’s hand gentley  while playing with the jewelry of the “woman in red.” Neoclassical style always had some type of moral lesson, in which this one is emphasizes the theme of maternalism over materialism by reinterpreting the Roman ideal of motherhood for the new middle class of the 1700s.

Music

The rise of the middle class and their growing economic power in the 1700s also afforded the middle class the opportunity to influence music as well. Just as with the visual arts, music appreciation and patronage were no longer limited to the rich and powerful aristocracy or to the Church. Musicians and composers were called upon to meet the needs of a much more diverse and growing audience, not just the limited tastes of the ruling classes. The middle class wanted simpler, more accessible and recongnizable music that was less intense than Baroque. They wanted themes they could relate to instead of musical works based on ancient myths that seemed out of touch and out of date. The middle class preferred melody-driven music with homophonic texture over polyphonic texture. Opera buffa, also known as comic opera, grew in popularity because it included these very elements, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is an excellent example of this Neoclassical style.

Composed in 1786, in the city of Vienna, The Marriage of Figaro was broken up in four acts. It is a political comedy and an opera buffa about a disreputable count and his insubordinate servant, which continues the plot of The Barber of Seville. Mozart guides you through the melody-driven music that pairs well with the dramatic and comedic elements of the story, which is one of the reason for picking this piece. Personally for me it demonstrates the very real and middle-class themes of love, fear of betrayal, and forgiveness.

The Marriage of Figaro is not based on ancient myths. It is about the middle class, the simplicity of life of the middle class. Personally I love it because it’s fun, universal, and can apply to most American’s today. The rise of the middle class in the 1700s gave rise to new and exciting styles of music and visual art.

References

Craven, Jackie. “History of Architecture.” About. About Home, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Craven, Jackie. “Is Neoclassical Architecture Really NEW?” About. About Home, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

“The Death of Socrates.” The Death of Socrates – Jacques-Louis David. BC Education, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Estrella, Espie. “Music’s Role in the Baroque and Classical Periods.” About. About Education, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.

“History of Art: History of Classical Music.” History of Art: History of Classical Music. All-Art.org, n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

Karen. “What in the World…” : Cornelia, Mother of the Gracchi, Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures, Angelica Kauffman, circa 1785. What in the World, 30 Apr. 2008. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

“Neoclassicism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

Caravaggio’s “David and Goliath”

The Council of Trent

The Council of Trent majorly effected Baroque Art, particularly this piece by Caravaggio called David and Goliath. As we have previously encountered in the movement of the  Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of the Roman Catholic Church setting the religious world aflame in 1517. In doing this, he openly criticized the Roman Catholic Church for selling of indulgences, insisting that the “pope had no authority over purgatory, and that the Catholic doctrine of the Merits of the Saints had no foundation in the gospel.”

The Roman Church in returned launching its own reformation, the Counter Reformation ended up finding its most important expression in the Council of Trent. Pope Paul III called The Council Of Trent was determined to regain the trust and take are of the damage done by the Protestants. Thus their influence on the Arts of the Baroque Period began in high hopes that they could re-market their old doctrines and theologies that had seemed to be destroyed by Luther.

The goals according to “The Council of Trent declared that art should be used to explain the profound dogmas of the faith to everyone, not just the educated. To accomplish this, religious art was to be direct, emotionally persuasive, and powerful-designed to fire the spiritual imagination and inspire the viewer to greater piety.” Some common physical attributes to recognize in pieces of art in the Baroque era are the directness and drama presented in images, dramatic use of color, emotionally intense, dramatic contrasts between light and darkness, intrusion by the Devine, and themes having to do with martyrdom and death, in which David and Goliath and most pieces done by Caravaggio is clearly represented.

Why I Choose This Piece

My reason behind my choice is simply because it is a great representation of the underling themes that defined the Baroque era. David and Goliath embody drama, theatricality, heightened realism, and illusion of motion. Caravaggio captured one of my favorite stories of the Bible, and did it so beautifully. In this picture he chose to freeze the moment of triumph over the reining Philistine giant, but did it in a very private and intense way. As morbid as it sounds, I personally like how David is almost casually decapitating Goliath because he knew, by faith, he was going to win with the help of God on his side. You also can see Caravaggio’s use of dramatic color and contrasts between light and dark, which is one of my favorite art techniques.

Resources:

“The Basics of Art: The Baroque Period.” The Art of Manliness. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

Pioch, Nicolas. “Caravaggio, Michelangelo Merisi Da.” WebMuseum:. WebMuseum, Paris, 19 Sept. 2002. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.

“Protestant Reformation.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.

Sandro Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”

Tags

Birth of Venus, Botticelli, Medici family, Sandro Botticelli, Venus

About the Painting

The painting above is one of Sandro Botticelli’s most famous works, which depicts the the birth of the Roman mythological figure Venus, goddess of love. Botticelli tried to capture the story behind the Roman myth, which is that “love  will triumph over brutality.” Venus is suppose to embody virtue, beauty, and chastity. Those of you who are not familiar of the story, legend has it that Saturn, pursuaded by his mother, cut off his genitals and thrusted them into the sea. The sea foam gave birth to Venus with the help from the god of wind, Zephyr, and his wife, Chloris (pictured left), who is the goddess of flowers. The gods help blow Venus to the goddess of summer, Hora (pictured right) who welcomes Venus to the world in which is the scene Botticelli captured above. http://www.historylink101.com/art/Sandro_Botticelli/pages/10_Birth_of_Venus_jpg.htm

About the Artist

Sandro Botticelli was one of the most renowned Italian painters in all of Italy between the years of 1470-1490s. His early art works followed the popular Florence theme, which focuses more on the human figure more than space,with the appearance of muscular energy and physical action, setting a mood of relaxed and thoughtful. Botticelli grew in popularity because of the Medici family’s patronage which led him to take part in decorating the Sistine Chapel with other acclaimed artist such as Perugino and Michelangelo. After teaming up with the Florentine monk named Savonarola, who encouraged burning many works of art and books because of the belief of it being ungodly, Botticelli took part in burning many of his own works and began to only paint altarpieces. After Savonarola’s downfall, Botticelli popularity significantly declined and was so behind the revolutionary changes taking place in the art culture he never rose back to fame, until after death of course. http://www.artble.com/artists/sandro_botticelliAbout the Medici Family

The Medici Family

The House of Medici was one of the most influential political powers and finical supporters of the arts and humanities of the Renaissance era. Gaining power through their successes in commerce and banking. At the age of 15 Botticelli came to have his own workshop in which he became a member of St Lukes Guild. This where his “Adoration of the Magi”, which he painted himself and many members of the Medici family gathering together to emphasizing the important role the Medici family had in the arts. From then on the Medici funded many of Botticelli’s works. http://www.history.com/topics/medici-family

What is Humanism

Humanism is a philosophical idea by Greek and Roman individuals who believed that the church “should not rule civic matters, but should guide only spiritual ones.” Humanism emphasizes on human reason, spirit, and the physical beauty of it all. http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/printing_sub.html

Fun Fact

Before I picked this visual art, I noticed I’ve seen Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” because many fashion icons, musicians, and even charity events have remade this work of art and made it into their own. Below are just some of the few I’ve seen, enjoy!

Arts and Design Against Cancer 2012

The Muppets

American’s Next Top Model

Lady Gaga as Venus in Applause 

References

“The Medici Family.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 23 Sept.     2014.

“Renaissance — Printing and Thinking.” Renaissance — Printing and Thinking. The Western Tradition. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Rymer, Eric. “Sandro Botticelli Birth of Venus.” Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. History Source LLC., 2000. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

“Welcome to Artble.” Artble: The Home of Passionate Art Lovers. Artble, 2012. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

Introduction

Hello All,

My name is Paula Williams, I’m currently a junior here at UAF working on my Bachelor of Science degree in hopes to apply to medical school. I’m originally from Lake Arrowhead, California and traveled here with my boyfriend who is the goalie on UAF’s mens ice hockey team. My knowledge of art is at basic level and my favorite type of art is graffiti art. Some famous artist you might know is Banksy and one of his amazing murals is shown below, as well as a compliation video of his art.