Abstract This paper begins with a description of the Epa Headdress used in the Yoruba Epa festival. It continues to explore the purpose of the festival. In conclusion it examines the headdress as a work of art and representation of Yoruba spiritual system. The paper also mentions African aesthetics and mask artists.
From the Paper "The Epa headdress is used in the Yoruba Epa festival celebrating the important social roles of a town and its people. The headdress is worn at the climax of the week-long festival whose purpose is to reinforce the structure of the community. In the Epa festival ..."
Abstract This essay argues that Erwin Panofsky's interpretation of Jan van Eyck's "Arnolfini Portrait" focuses on its sacramental nature,. The author relates that Linda Seidel's interpretation expands this focus and includes customs and socioeconomic factors of the era that help provide greater understanding of the work.
From the Paper "The Jan van Eyck portrait of the marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami provides room for interpretation from different perspectives The classic interpretation offered by Erwin Panofsky focuses on the religious ..."
Abstract This paper explains that several artists have depicted David, the young man, in an artistic medium. The author explores sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini.
From the Paper "The Biblical image of David has been portrayed in various lights throughout history. David is, of course, the young man who fought the giant Goliath in Judeo-Christian mythology. It is a story that has infused many aspects of modern culture and as such several artists have taken on the task of depicting the young man in an artistic medium. Past artists who have executed sculptures of the famed young man include Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini. The works of each of these artists depict the ..."
Abstract This paper provides a look at Japanese influence upon the work of French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet. The paper looks at Monet's interest in the exotic and ancient Japanese art and culture and discusses the influence of Japanese woodblock prints on the art of the Impressionists.
From the Paper "Influences of Japanese art and culture infuse much of modern society. It is easy to see reflections of Japanese culture in what might otherwise be considered a western or occidental world. Certainly we have witnessed the overwhelming and growing emulation of Japanese customs in our own society. The work of French impressionist painter Claude Monet seems to have what may be the first hints of Japanese influence in modern art. Here we will examine that influence in Monet's work as it relates to impressionism..."
Abstract The following discussion provides an analysis of the Classical Era, which represents much of the work of Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn. The writer points out that these composers have withstood the test of time due to their valuable and significant contributions to the classical music genre, and their unique works continue to be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and cultures.
From the Paper "The role of classical music as a bona fide art form is of critical importance to the development of music as a means of true artistic expression. During one of the most formidable periods of classical music, which took place during the 1700s and 1800s, there was a reintroduction of traditional forms to the music genre, which provided a means of structure and symmetry that was not evident for some time. This period in music history provided a greater emphasis on simplicity, and it removed some of the emotional context that Baroque music was known for. This era is perhaps best known for the development of the following musical forms: symphonies, sonatas, and concertos, all of which provided enormous contributions to the period as a whole."
Abstract Addressing multiple interpretations of the piece, this paper identifies and discusses the importance of the content's of Raphael's "School of Athens." It analyzes the figures and architecture in the piece in relation to the philosophy, religion and schools of thought of both the classical and Renaissance time periods.
From the Paper "Raphael's School of Athens, a fresco located within the Vatican, depicts a gathering of figures that appear to be philosophers and other important thinkers and innovators within an architecturally Classical structure. School of Athens contains many references to the art of the world hundreds of years before, but is also a distinctively Renaissance piece. Detailed observation and analysis provides more information on both the subjects of the painting and details of its setting, as well as insight into the ways Raphael was able to seamlessly blend Classical times with Renaissance times. Further study of the work and its subjects reveals the complex symbolism used by Raphael and reveals multiple levels of interpretation. The work contains so many references, both obvious and slightly hidden, to philosophy, religion, and architecture (and the relationship of these subjects to the culture and thinking of the Renaissance and Classical worlds) that multiple ideas and interpretations of the work are common. In a piece of such depth and detail, one must be able to understand the range of notions about the work and the areas of emphasis placed on certain aspects of the piece in order to truly understand Raphael's accomplishment in School of Athens."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the works of painter Marc Chagall and their significance in the history of 20th century art. It also evaluates the dominance of Clement Greenberg as a critic of the modern art movement, specifically in relation to the paintings of Marc Chagall.
From the Paper "Modernism, as defined by Clement Greenberg, is, in its ideal form, the combination of technique and subject matter to create artwork that challenges past conventions and to create art for art's sake. According to this definition, there exist many artists that are, by their existence and work within the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century, artists of Modernity who receive little attention in the study of Modernism due to the fact that they do not follow the traditional progression as described by Greenberg. It is because of this that a distinction is recognized between Modernity, the period that encompasses modern art without regard to preconceived notions of form or content, and Modernism, which has come to be dominated by Greenberg's view. One such artist who may be a victim of the dominance of Greenbergian Modernism is Marc Chagall, who's use of abstract techniques in combination with a goal of figurative or narrative illustration marks him as a mere detour in the progression of Greenberg's Modernism. Through analysis of form and content, one realizes that room must be left for interpretation in defining the highly dynamic period of the early to mid-twentieth century art world, lest the works of artists such as Chagall be ignored in the study of Modernity for their inability to be categorized by Greenburg's concept of progression."
Abstract This paper explains that recent evidence suggests that Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci, born in Vinci, Italy in 1452, was the son of a Middle Eastern slave named Caterina and his biological father, Ser Piero Da Vinci, with whom he lived in Florence. The author points out that Da Vinci was very successful in art as well as the fields of science, engineering, anatomy and inventing. The paper relates that Renaissance art did not take its roots from Romanesque and Byzantine traditions as Gothic art did but rather came out of the new and evolving civilization of this era. The author concludes that Leonardo Da Vinci ranks at the top of the list of influential artists of all time.
From the Paper "Leonardo's second most famous work was 'The Last Supper'. This painting was begun in 1495 when Ludovico I Moro commissioned Da Vinci to paint the refectory wall of the Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan. This wall was located in the dining hall adjacent to the church and Leonardo decided to paint the very moment in which Christ announced that there was a traitor in their midst while they ate supper. Through his masterful brush, he managed to capture the personal reactions of each of the twelve disciples through their movements and facial expressions."
From the Paper "In his article "Anti-form" Robert Morris, discusses the ideology of post-minimalism. The essence of post-minimalism is the creation of anti-form. Anti-form is the breakdown of the gestalt; geometrical shapes that the mind holds and relates the preconceived shapes to what it is physically visual. Morris suggests that there are no meanings behind the works. He contends that to create a work of anti-form, the artist can not have any references of dualism because any premeditation of the development of a work counters the meaning of anti-gestalt pieces. Anti-form pieces also incorporate the physical properties of the medium that is used. They display the tautological properties of the materials that are used. These aspects dissociate the piece from both allusion and illusion and a pure object is formed. In order for a true work of anti-form to be created neither emotive nor allusive qualities can be present and all reference of dualism is absolved. "
From the Paper "With Blue Velvet, David Lynch did an effective job in dividing both popular and critical opinions about his odd piece of cinema. While some hail it as a masterpiece, others retain that it is pure perverse nonsense. Despite the initial shock of the overly violent sequences, Lynch's vivid revelation of baseness and depravity in small-town America makes its point clearly, if not bizarrely. One of the most obvious and effective ways by which the film's themes are conveyed is through an absolutely brilliant utilization of sound and score."
Abstract European Industrialization and Effect on Working Women
Women Inheriting Businesses, Marry into Craft
Metalsmiths, Silvercasters, Bucklemakers
Metalsmithing Guilds Persecute
Rise in Jewelry Making
Greater Recognition for Individual Work
Sexual Division of Labor - Commitment of Children
Still Men Described as "Opening the Door"
Majority of Art Professors are Female as well as the most
Well Known Metalsmith (ex. Helen Shirk)
From the Paper "The empty pulpit stood there almost like a solitary statue in a plain white cubical room and that object and only that stood and left one's imagination into puzzle. Who could it be who stood up there? The words ramble throughout my thoughts perhaps it was ? I dreamed a dream ?? free at last free at last?? or was it "give me your tired, your poor"? but wait, I realized this was not a political podium where a great man or a great pioneer would campaign. It was a pulpit where a preacher told the crowds of people the word of God reciting words from the great book of life ? The Bible. Perhaps it was the words from the gospel John 3:16 ? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.? I would like to think that it was the words of encouragement and love. The words that could be turned into hymns that are sung by the faithful. Or maybe even the lost, yes indeed the lost that have strayed away from The Good Shepherd named Jesus Christ. I wonder if the words that were preached were a calling for the lost to come back to God be it the stubborn/prodigal son to the confused daughter or those in trials and tribulations."
Tags: art, personal, pulpit, reflections, religious, works
From the Paper "But what captivated my mind the most was when I entered the chapel. The first thing ? or should I say the first person I saw was Mother Mary and The Christ Child. It was like divine intervention to my eyes. The beautiful glitter that shone like the rays of the sun around The Virgin Mary's halo and her flowing gown and holy face. But what captured my spirit and is the way the Holy Mother's arms were spread in the vast expanse of the roof my whole eyes were settled on the roof and it was like a welcoming."
Abstract "There are many different kinds of photographs. Some pictures portray natural setting such as landscapes, animals and other things which people find engaging and interesting. Human beings, however, are often the center of photographs, as people are usually socially minded and spend a major part of their time observing one another. By photographing human beings in certain predicaments, photographers often deal with political controversies. Photographers often attempt to mend certain social and political wrongs, using the camera as a tool of political action. But even without such purpose, photographs that deal with human beings often have an underlying social, political and historical message. Photographs that deal with human beings often reveal their feelings, hopes and aspirations; consequently, most photographs, notwithstanding their artistic merits, have a social and political significance."
Tags: children, gordon, history, in, muslim, parks, photographs, russia, school
Abstract This paper presents brief look at the life and work of the Renaissance Italian artist, scientist, and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci.
From the Paper "Da Vinci loved to surround himself and his work with an air of mystery, preferring to write backwards and in code, but this has served to limit what is known about his ideas. His art is so well connected with his science that one cannot be described without the other; his entire life was based upon observation and experimentation. He was more a scholar than a philosopher, but his holistic view of nature and engineering was a sort of philosophy in itself."
Tags: italy, renaissance, Mona, Lisa, Florence, Last, Supper
