This is a page I
am putting together to show and explain some of my favorite paintings and
why they're cool. I am studying Art History at the moment and plan
to learn even more in future classes. I don't mean to make this into
a formal lecture or anything..but it might spark some interest.
Sandro Botticelli. The Birth of
Venus (1480).
Venus is surrounded by Zephyrs the wind
god and Flora, the goddess of love. Their weightlessness makes is
unrealistic with virtually no gravity. I find this painting to be a bit sad because Venus is supposed to be the paragon of beauty, but as she approaches the land, Flora is there with a big cloak to cover it up. It seems as though the earth can not fully accept her beauty. That's just MY personal analogy. This is located in Florence.
Michelangelo. Pietà (1500)
There is something about this marble statue
that draws my interest. The Virgin Mary is lamenting the dead Christ.
When you look at the size of her compared to Christ it is waaay out of
proportion. Her body is massive. I mean, she's huuuge!
Mary's face is also idealized and very young-looking. She had to
be at least over 40. This is the only work Michelangelo
ever signed. His name is carved across the front of her.
Agnolo Bronzino Allegory of Venus
(1546)
This one has a very light and silky appearance
to it. When you see it in London's National Gallery you just want to feel it! (But don't, or you'll
get in trouble! hehe) Venus is in the center, embracing her son Cupid.
All around them symbolic figures each convey a message. Father time's
arm is holding back the curtain and Folly is about to throw roses on them.
Jealousy is tearing his hair out on the right and Pleasure is holding a
honeycomb behind them. To sum it up quickly, this painting is revealing
the basic truth that sensual love is bad.
Jan van Eyck Arnolfini Portrait.
(1434)
This is probably my favorite painting. When I got to actually see it I could've stood their all day gazing at the details.
The two individuals are being married here because he is raising his hand
in solemn oath. No, she is not pregnant, that's just the fashion
of the day! Anyway, this painting is loaded with symbolism and extreme
detail. For example, the dog in front represents fidelity.
Their shoes are both on the floor since it is holy ground. The peaches
are friut.."be fruitful and multiply!" The
mirror behind them shows a reflection of them with two other people
standing where the viewer stands. One of them is probably Van Eyck
because he signed it, "Jan van Eyck was here in the year 1434." It
doesn't get much cooler than that, does it?
Diego Velazquez. The Maids of Honor.
(1656)
In this Southern Baroque painting, Velazquez
himself is shown painting the 5-year-old Princess of spain. She is
with her servants and doesn't want to be painted. The light shines
in from what appears to be a window giving a big contrast of light and
dark. In the mirror on the back wall we see a reflection of the King
and Queen of Spain, implying that they are the ideal viewers of the painting.
The red cross on Velazquez's chest was added on later by himself showing
his knighthood.
Jan Vermeer. The Letter. (1666)
During the Northern Baroque era, the Netherlands
had a lot to offer. This one stood out to me because of all it's
implied features. A woman has just been playing the lute which, back
then, was not appropriate for women. (It basically meant you were
loose if you played) She has just been handed the letter and shows
a look of concern while her servant is showing a look of interest.
The painting in the background is another common symbol Vermeer uses to
convey a message. A ship is sailing calmly, meaning the affair she
is having must be smooth sailing! But what is she about to find out...?
Care to read more?
Continue
- Neoclassicism and On!
