Essay on "History of Western Art"

Essay 5 pages (1837 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

History Of Western Art

Looking at the Dutch works, provide some examples where dramatic stylistic elements heighten the power of everyday scenes and still lives. Think about lighting effects, movement, extension or recession of space, and elements that allude to the passage of time.

The different Dutch works of art were illustrating the simplicities of everyday life, while highlighting the challenges everyone faces. This is accomplished through taking a unique aspect of: looking at the subject and interpreting the underlying events through various techniques. As the artist is: using unique colors / lighting, the capturing of the events / movement, the regression of space and they are creating a sense of timelessness.

A good example of this can be seen with the works from Frans Hals. As he would take the movements of: everyday life and then capture these moments (to create a unique way of looking the world). Some of the different works that are illustrating this include: Two Boys Singing and the Banquet of Officers of the St. George Civic Guard. In both paintings, Hals is using light / color by: contrasting and blending them together. As he is taking conservative colors (such as: black), and is augmenting them with moderate colors (i.e. reds / whites) to create a sense of realism. The capturing of events / movements can be seen with looks on the subjects' faces. In this case, Hals shows many different expressions on the faces of the subjects, which gives everyone that sense of practicality. The regression of space is when the artist is taking: the events and is recreating them into one single experience on the canvas. This is despite the fact that the subjects could be: spread out or moving around. The sense of timelessness is created by all of the above elements working together. This gives the viewer an appreciation for: the life and times that Hals lived. However, when you look a little further, it is clear that these different elements provide a sense of: history and greater understanding of historical events. As these paintings are a depiction of: the society and the tastes of the people they represent. This is accomplished through: taking all of these various factors and combining them together, to give everyone a greater appreciation of the artist's interpretation of the world. ("Frans Hals," 2011)

18th Century Enlightenment thinkers and political revolutionaries were bringing about social change. Present one artwork that has a political or social message. Explain how that message is conveyed.

The 18th century was a period of change and transformation that occurred. In the early to mid part of this period, the various forms of art were: reflecting the opulence and power of the aristocracy throughout Europe. Then, as various revolutions began to occur throughout Western society, is when changes dramatically took place in: social attitudes and views. The artworks throughout this time, reflects the changing social attitudes in: society and the artists. As they would abandon, the traditional forms of painting at the beginning of the century (i.e. showing the aristocracy living lavish lifestyles and that can do no wrong) to one that embraced the ideas of the past. In this case, they began to utilize various techniques that were perfected by: the Greeks and Romans (sculpting / realism). This is important, because this sudden shift was a part of an effort, to depict the overall views of events as they were actually taking place. Once this occurred, the different artworks that were created helped to instill a sense of change about various events. At which point, they became a symbol of: the different revolutions and the social message they had for everyone.

A good example of this can be seen with: Benjamin Franklin by Jean -- Antione Houdon. In this work of art, Houdon takes Franklin as he appeared during the mid to late 18th century. Then, he sculpted him, in an image that is similar to many of the sculptures from: ancient Greece and Rome. As he is, creating a larger than life depiction of this man; while embracing that sense of realism. When you put these different elements together, this means that the message of change is conveyed through the artwork, by showing various figures in the same kind of light as many sculptures from the past. Once this took place, it meant the message of change would have a face and image (helping to perpetuate these events). ("Jean -- Antoine Houdon," 2011) ("Module Notes," n.d.)

What makes 19th Century American landscape painting part of the Romantic Movement? Use art examples from the readings and the Metropolitan website to illustrate the complex associations Americans applied to landscape.

Romantic artists have a deep seeded passion for: a person, place or events that were taking place in their lives. They would often illustrate this through their works of art in: how they depicting their subjects and the background. As they used: unique colors and a sense of realism, to highlight the overall appreciation that they have for what they are painting. In the case of the American landscape paintings of the 18th century, they are showing that sense of romanticism that the artist is experiencing. As they are taking this sense of realism and passion, by combining them together, to create a unique interpretation of the different events that is taking place (most notably: the development of the United States). ("Module Notes," n.d.)

A good example of this can be seen in the different paintings by the artist Thomas Cole. In the various canvases that he creates throughout this time frame, he is depicting his unique love of nature with changes that are taking place. Evidence of this can be seen in his work titled: the Last of the Mohicans. In this case, Cole is highlighting his sense of appreciation for the beauty of nature by: showing a rugged painting of a mountain. As he uses different colors and a bright background to create the positive emotions that he is feeling. This is similar to the various paintings that he composed throughout his lifetime, by illustrating these elements in all of them. ("Hudson River School," 2011) ("Thomas Cole," 2011)

In this aspect, Cole is a romantic artist. The reason why, is because he is using his different works to illustrate the overall amounts of passion that he is feeling about: nature and the changes that are taking place. This is the same kind of emotions that were experienced by the classical romantic artists. As a result, 18th century American landscape paintings are a part of the Romantic Movement.

Impressionism was a progressive movement; one of many to come that would break down the solid illusionism used since the Italian Renaissance. Find the influences and techniques that gave rise to a new way of rendering changeable light and color. Use specific works from the Internet, or Columbia website to illustrate your observations. Describe specifics.

Impressionism is when the artist is trying to create a realistic interpretation of the underlying events. This is accomplished through the use of a number of different techniques to include: small brush strokes and a changing depiction of light. These elements are creating: the effect of the passage of time that is taking place in the work of art. As the use of these influences, would go from the Italian Renaissance into modern art by: incorporating realism and the use colors together. ("Module Notes," n.d.)

A good example of this can be seen in the painting Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette by Pierre Renoir. In this canvas, he is showing a party that is taking place in Paris during the late 1800's. As he is highlighting how people are talking and dancing, through the use of the different colors (such as: gray, black, brown and tan). To create the passage of time, the background is clear, but it begins to become blurry as you look further in the painting. These different elements are important, because they are showing how light and color are manipulated to create that sense of realism. ("Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette," 2011)

As a result, the use of these techniques helped to establish the impressionist movement, as artists wanted to depict their subjects in a realist fashion. To achieve this objective, they would manipulate the light and the color (through their brush strokes). At which point, they were able to instill that sense of realism and the passage of time.

In art, Expressionism involves the alteration of color, line, form, texture or perspective to intentionally enhance emotional content. The works of Van Gogh, Gauguin, Munch and Rodin are emotive through expressive style as much as through subject. Choose one work and analyze how emotion is expressed through style.

In Vincent Van Gogh's painting Starry Night over the Rhone, he is illustrating the overall emotions and passions that he has for the nightlife of Paris. This is because he enjoyed the atmosphere that it provided, as it gave him a sense of… READ MORE

How to Reference "History of Western Art" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Basic History of Western Art Term Paper

History of Western Art

Donatello's David is a clear influence of the classical style over the Renaissance art. The sculpture features a nude representation of carefully studied anatomy that depicts… read more

Term Paper 10 pages (3305 words) Sources: 1+ Style: MLA Topic: Art / Painting / Sculpture

---

History of Western Art Since the 15th Century Term Paper

History Of Western Art Since the 15th Century

History of Western Art since the 13th Century

Throughout the centuries the history of Western art has been continually evolving. Part of… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1096 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Art / Painting / Sculpture

---

History of Western Art Compare Donatello's David Term Paper

History Of Western Art

Compare Donatello's David with Michelangelo's David

Throughout history there are those works of art that have the ability to transcend time, creating an appreciation that connects… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1051 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Art / Painting / Sculpture

---

History of Western Art Essay

History Of Western Art

Discuss the hidden, and not-so-hidden, symbols in Campin's Merode Altarpiece, Van Eyck's Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife, or Hugo's Portinari Altarpiece. Online research may… read more

Essay 4 pages (1592 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Art / Painting / Sculpture

---

History of Mosaic Art Term Paper

history of mosaic art: A brief overview of an ancient art form

Mosaic art seems so simple, yet is so compelling when executed well. Almost every child has attempted to… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1096 words) Sources: 4 Topic: Art / Painting / Sculpture

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>