Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Rodin's The Thinker: An Iconic Sculpture

The Thinker is a renowned work by Auguste Rodin, one of the most influential sculptors of his time. In 1875, he traveled to Italy, where he was captivated by the movement and musculature in Renaissance sculptures (e.g., by Donatello and Michelangelo). This iconic piece, created between 1880 and 1900, is a bronze sculpture. It measures 71.5 cm x 40 cm and exhibits an Impressionistic style. Its theme is symbolic, and the sculpture is housed at the Musée Rodin in Paris.

Rodin's Artistic Development

Upon his return from Italy, Rodin gained recognition through the Parisian salons and several sculptures that showcased his distinctive style, characterized by strong forms and textured modeling.

Anatomy and Composition

The Tribute Money, a seminal work by Masaccio, is a fresco adorning the Brancacci Chapel within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. This monumental work is part of a larger fresco cycle, organized around a Gothic altarpiece, with The Tribute Money situated to its left.

Context and Narrative of The Tribute Money

The fresco depicts a pivotal episode from Christ's life, as narrated by Saint Matthew (Matthew 17:24-27). It illustrates the miracle that occurred when a tax collector demanded payment from Jesus. In response, Jesus instructs the Apostle Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish from the river, which Peter then uses to pay the tax.

Compositional Brilliance: Three Scenes in One

Masaccio masterfully synthesizes three distinct... Continue reading "Masaccio's The Tribute Money: A Renaissance Masterpiece" »

Description: Linguistic Levels

Morphological Level

• Use of past and present tenses, imperfective in character.
• Dominance of the third person.
• Abundance of appreciative suffixation, especially in subjective descriptions.

Syntactic Level

• Prevalence of declarative sentences.
• Preference for attributive sentences.
• Importance of nouns to designate the described entity.
• Utilization of adjectives or adjectival phrases to characterize the described.

Semantic Level

• Use of state verbs.
• Importance of descriptive, relational, or membership adjectives in objective descriptions.
• Presence of adverbs or adverbial constructions indicating place, time, or manner.

Exposition: Linguistic Levels

Morphological Level

• Prevalence of the third person as a mark of objectivity, though

Eugenio d'Ors: A visit to the Museo del Prado, guided by the insights of Eugenio d'Ors, transcends a simple museum tour. It becomes a master class in aesthetics, shaping how we perceive and articulate art.

The D'Ors Thesis: Reason and Order

The visit's objective is far from neutral. D'Ors's thesis emphasizes reason and order as the ideal framework for art. He views art as an illustration of the ongoing dialectic between the "classic" and the "baroque".

An Iconographic Approach

This edition adopts an iconographic approach to the core of d'Ors's aesthetic analysis. Graphic details within the text are highlighted, and the museum's extensive collection is used to showcase diverse perspectives, even those not explicitly mentioned by d'Ors. This approach... Continue reading "Eugenio d'Ors: A Master Class at the Museo del Prado" »

Velázquez's Toilet of Venus

The Toilet of Venus (1650), Oil on canvas. National Gallery, London.

Description of the Scene

This painting represents the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility reclining languidly in her bed, her back toward the female spectator. The spectator can identify with Venus due to the presence of her son, Cupid. He appears without his usual bow and arrows. Cupid is holding a pink ribbon of silk that is draped over the mirror and curls on its frame.

The Mirror and Reflection

The most original part of the composition is the mirror Cupid holds, in which the goddess looks outward to the viewer of the painting through her reflection in the mirror.

Symbolism of the Mirror

The fact that Venus is looking at the viewer through... Continue reading "Velázquez's Toilet of Venus Painting Analysis" »

The Birth of Venus by Botticelli

Decoding the Symbolism of a Renaissance Masterpiece

The Birth of Venus, painted by Sandro Botticelli around 1482-1485, is one of the most iconic works of the Italian Renaissance. This painting, depicting the goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth, is rich in symbolism and classical references.

Figures and Their Meanings

On the left side of the painting, we see two figures intertwined:

• Zephyrus: The god of the west wind.
• Chloris: A nymph, and wife of Zephyrus. The Romans often referred to her as Flora. She has also been identified with Aura, the goddess of the breeze.

Their embrace symbolizes the union of spirit and matter. Roses, said to have sprung forth alongside Venus, fall around them.

At the center... Continue reading "Botticelli's Birth of Venus: Symbolism and Meaning" »

Narrative Voice and Point of View

Elements of Narrative

• Narrator/Storyteller: The issuer of the story.
• Characters: Individuals within the narrative.
• Setting: Characteristic time and space.

Narrative Perspectives

• First-person protagonist: The narrator recounts what happens to them.
• First-person witness: The narrator recounts what happens to another character.
• Third-person witness: The narrator recounts what happens to others.
• Omniscient: The narrator knows more than the characters.

Types of Description

Descriptive Dynamics

• Dynamic descriptions: Provide an image of a moving object or process, recording each stage of its development.
• Static descriptions: Register an object or a state of stillness, aiming to present a stable image like a picture.

Descriptive

Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans (1965)

Artist: Andy Warhol
Year: 1965
Medium: Acrylic and silkscreen on canvas
Genre: Contemporary Still Life

Historical Context: Post-WWII Art & Globalization

Following World War II, significant global events unfolded, including the Vietnam War, the return of democracy in Spain, the Korean War, and the eventual end of the Cold War. These events led to a redistribution of geopolitics, with Europe's traditional influence giving way to widespread globalization of information. This era fostered an approximation among various fields, facilitating the exchange of artistic tastes and ideas. Consequently, the twentieth century witnessed the rapid emergence of numerous avant-garde movements. The tastes and interests... Continue reading "Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans: Pop Art Iconography" »

Expressionism

Expressionism encompasses a series of artists who display a similar mood in their treatment of the subject. It stresses the importance of the artist's impression on the material, showing the process and interpreting the human figure in a personal way. This appeals to universal concepts such as loneliness, anger, and mortality. Artists like Alberto Giacometti, during his early surrealist period, Marino Marini, who regularly used the man on horseback as a subject, and Georg Baselitz, who primarily works in wood, exemplify this movement.

Constructivism

Constructivism is a movement that approaches almost architectural solutions, creating a new category of art from models, ephemeral sculptures, and architecture. Assembly techniques are... Continue reading "Art Movements: Expressionism, Constructivism, and Beyond" »

Cinquecento Painting

In the Cinquecento, color and drawing gained prominence, contrasting with the Quattrocento. Color shapes the forms, moving away from sharp contours, and utilizing luminous vibrations like chiaroscuro to create volume and atmosphere. Landscapes are not limited to spring scenes, encompassing cloudy and stormy settings, such as dusk.

Key Cinquecento Painters

• Michelangelo: Commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, depicting Old Testament scenes. His figures are robust and sculptural, showcasing a deep understanding of anatomy. He employed dynamic poses and a strong sense of composition and perspective. Later, his work on the Doomsday reflects a shift towards mannerism.
• Venetian School: Influenced by Venice'