Abstract Painter, sculptor, poet, and architect, Michelangelo dominated the art scene for almost the whole of the 16th century. This paper examines the time in history, known as the High Renaissance, in which Michelangelo created his masterpieces, touching on other painters of the time, such as Leonardo da Vinci. The paper then discusses Michelangelo's biography, patronage, and commissions. Finally, it presents a detailed analysis of "The Creation of Adam", a ceiling centerpiece in the Sistine Chapel.
From the Paper "The artist depicts the sublime act of creating Adam through a simple touch of the finger. A touch, yes, but not completely physical: God's index never touches Adam?s, but let's us imagine God's whole power. Between God's index and Adam's finger, one can see the glitter of a superior will and of a superior power. Symbolically, God is surrounded by angels and by an elliptical mantle that signifies the initial "cosmic Egg" from which everything emerged. One can notice that Adam himself forms an ellipse, but only an incomplete one: he needs God's soul-giving touch for him to complete himself as a being."
Abstract This paper looks at two different styles of art, Baroque and Rococo, and discusses the works of famous artists of both types of art. The paper discusses the similarities and differences in the styles and techniques of Baroque artists, Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci, and Rococo artists, Watteau and William Hogarth.
From the Paper "As mentioned before, Annibale Carracci was among the monst influential painters of the Baroque period. Contrary to Carravaggio, he was inclined to use clear, pale colors, as a mean to achieve the elegance and grace that were desired by the commissioners. Influenced by Raphael's Stanzas in the Vatican, Carracci also predicted a return to the fresco style of painting and revealed this in the decoration of the Farnese Gallery in Rome. Carracci formed himself as a painter together with his brother Agostino and his cousin Lodovico at the latter's studio, but it was soon clear that Annibale was the more talented of the three. He was called to Rome in 1595 by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese to paint what was to be his masterpiece: the decoration of the Farnese Gallery, in the Farnese Palace."
Abstract This paper is primarily a biographical report of Michelangelo's almost 90-year-long life from his grim childhood to the early influence of the Medici family to his commission to sculpt the "David" and paint the Sistine Chapel. Also included are photos of his sculptures "Bacchus", "Pieta", "David", "Rondanini Pieta" and his paintings on The Sistine Chapel.
I.Introduction
II.Body
A.Michelangelo's Early Life
B.Bacchus and Pieta
C.David
D.The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
E.The Tomb of Julius II
F.The Medici Tombs
G.The Last Judgment
H.Michelangelo's Final Years
III.Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the greatest artists of all time, a man whose name has become synonymous with the word "masterpiece", is Michelangelo Buonarroti. As an artist he was nearly unmatched; the creator of works of true beauty that express the full extent of the human condition. Yet, in a world where art flourished only with patronage, Michelangelo was caught between the conflicting powers and whims of the Medici family in Florence, and the Papacy in Rome. Unlike many artists of his time, his genius was recognized, but at a seemingly great cost to his personal life."
Tags: 14th, artist, bacchus, ceiling, century, chapel, david, judgment, julius, last, medici, renaissance, sculpture, sistine, tomb, tombs, pieta
Abstract This paper explains that Walter Gropius applied classical architectural techniques to design theory, believing that there is no essential difference between the artist and the craftsman. Thereby, he introduced a completely new set of design principles called Bauhaus to art and crafts. The author points out that, though the Bauhaus movement was inspired by Cubism and Minimalism in design, it was still a unique, revolutionary movement. Some of the key features of this movement included less emphasis on detail and more on economic use of space. The paper relates that Bauhaus popularized functional design, a technique that focused specifically on the major functions of everything, including buildings, textiles, tables, and lamps to make them more easily accessible and usable. Color illustrations.
From the Paper "Bauhaus artists included such prominent names as Mies van der Rohe, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Oskar Schlemmer, who are responsible for bringing dramatic changes in the field of art and design. It is commonly believed that every change in design after the Bauhaus movement is inspired by the principles and techniques of this style. It can be rightly called the mother of all design movements in 20th century because till this day, we can see the impact of Bauhaus in the field of arts, architecture and crafts."
An overall look at Da Vinci's brilliant work during the humanistic period in Europe, which introduced the study of anatomy and functions of the human body.
Abstract This paper provides a look at Da Vinci's humanistic work during the late Middle Ages in Europe that brought the study of anatomy into existence. Though outlawed by the Catholic Church, dissection gave Da Vinci the ability to sketch the human body inside and out.
From the Paper "During the Renaissance, a movement towards humanism brought anatomy from nonexistence to theory to science. Leonardo Da Vinci was a humanist who was a part of the scientific revolution during the 15th and 16th centuries and studied medicine, in addition to mathematics, physics, art, etc. When the shift to realism became important in art, anatomy and the study of the physical body was immensely important to artists in Europe. Da Vinci rebelled against the church to take the first step in portraying the body as how it is, which is important to humanism because it focuses on the physical human body."
Abstract This paper briefly describes Titian's painting, "Venus of Urbino," and then takes a look at the various interpretations of the painting. The paper also explains how the painting differs from earlier paintings of Venus.
From the Paper "Titian's Venus of Urbino is a painting that may be regarded and evaluated on many levels. It was also in many senses a revolutionary painting. Titian chose to depict this woman's nudity in a way that was very unusual, and has since sparked controversy as to the intent of the painting. There are many possible and opposing interpretations of the painting. Some would call it mere pornography, while others have referred to it as a perfect expression of female beauty. There have also been various speculations as to who the woman who posed for the painting was and how she was related to the artist and the patron of the painting. However, no matter how the painting is judged, it must be regarded as a stunning integration of both human and supernatural beauty."
Abstract This paper discusses symbolism and meaning that can be found within Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel, as well as the possible interpretations of the painting. The paper also describes the scenes in the painting and what could have influenced Michelangelo to paint the ceiling the way he did.
From the Paper "Michelangelo Buonarroti executed one of the grandest works of the Renaissance at the request of Pope Julius II. This work was the famous fresco ceiling of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican in Rome. Michelangelo undertook this work in 1508 with some trepidation, for a number of reasons. The first being that he considered himself primarily a sculptor, secondly because a painting of this magnitude would keep him from working on a prior commission for the Popes' tomb at St Peter's Basilica. This project required the use of his skills as an architect and sculptor. But with the desires of the Pope on his shoulders, he was forced instead to focus his energies on this massive painting. In the beginning, Julius was interested in a depiction of the twelve apostles, which would replace Pope Sixtus IV's blue sky. Eventually, though, Michelangelo was given a free hand to proceed with the painting as he desired, and the result was one of the most complex and exuberant works ever created. When observing this work, it is to do it a great injustice by not considering it as a theological and intellectual exercise, in addition to being very strong aesthetically. This scholarly consideration raises a good deal of questions about the intellectual programme that motivated Michelangelo. The assumption that the plan behind this work was random is of course a possibility, but considering what we know of both the artist and the time period, it can be accepted that this work was the product of a great deal of religious and historical study. The amount of symbolism within the work is astounding, and because of its great depth and intricacies of meaning, whether or not Michelangelo arrived at this programme independently comes into question. More important, however, is the work itself: its symbols and how the viewer interprets them."
Assesses whether there is need for arts education in the public schools in light of the recent federal and state focus on standardized testing, which has caused school districts to reduce or eliminate arts programs in public schools.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 2006, $ 89.95
Abstract In an attempt to determine the validity of the hypothesis that arts education is an essential inclusion in the learning experience of secondary students in the public schools, this paper conducts a need assessment through a review of existing documents. The paper contends that, based on the research, new and revised programs are need to allow all students in the American public school systems the opportunity to participate in the arts as part of their regular academic programs.
From the Paper "The use of color in "Life is Beautiful" is integral in making the dramatic shift that takes place halfway through the film. Through the efforts of cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli and director Roberto Benigni, the film's color and general visual technique play a large role in the film's impact and message."
Tags: benigni, cinematography, colli, delli, life, beautiful, film
A look at Mesoamerican art's realistic system of human proportions, which can be used to reveal the cultures that existed side-by-side, as well as those that followed after.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 5 sources, 1998, $ 73.95
From the Paper "Most civilizations of ancient Mesoamerica were located either in the highlands or lowlands, although the Maya inhabited both. The earliest civilization, that of the Olmecs, rose along the rivers of the tropical Gulf Coast. Most Maya development also took place in the lowlands, under tropical conditions ranging from rainforest to scrub jungle in Yucatan, Chiapas, Guatemala, and Belize. The ancient cities of Tula and Teotihuacan, as well as Tenochtitlan, Motecuhzomals city, were located at high altitudes, and the center of highland life was the Valley of Mexico. Modern Mexico City is built on top of the Aztec capital, and so the Valley of Mexico still dominates Mesoamerica as it did in antiquity. "
A discussion of how art in the Olmec world can be used to reconstruct a picture of their way of life, which took place during the Formative period of Mesoamerica.
2,030 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 64.95
From the Paper "Art along with other activities, such as oral tradition, divination, ritual performance, and city planning reveals a culture's worldview, myths, and ideals of human behavior. These factors make an informed view of Olmec art style quite important especially because their art and architecture are the only surviving artifacts that can give clues to their culture. By analyzing the Olmec-style art it becomes possible to reconstruct a picture of their way of life, which took place during the Formative period of Mesoamerica."
Abstract This paper re-examines Plato's "Republic X" as it attempts to denounce the poets from Plato's "perfect" republic. It argues for the expulsion of poetry that is not of lyric or historical importance and in doing so attacks some of the very important ideals that modern poetry is founded upon. The paper takes Plato's arguments that the poet does not actually "create" in his craft and is therefore, basically, a liar, and attempts to further this argument by using quotes from James and Wordsworth in an attempt to re-argue Plato's point.
From the Paper "In the Republic, Book X, Socrates, through the pen of his brilliant pupil Plato, argues for ?our refusal to admit the imitative kind of poetry, for it certainly ought not to be received.? (p. 21) However, although Plato is widely regarded as a man of unquestioned genius, and his Republic a work of infinite possibility, this single phrase that sums the whole of the tenth book up has become the topic of heated debate in western literary criticism."
Abstract This paper discusses the Renaissance specifically comparing the music and architecture of the time. The author specifically looks at the music of Josquin dez Prez, a composer of the Renaissance and compares his music to the architecture of the same time emphasizing their similarities in new styles, ideas and inventions.
From the Paper "The renaissance was a time of rebirth and renewal. All over Europe, people were looking back to times they saw as better, instead of towards the unpredictable future. Specifically, the people looked back to the ancient worlds, and found the humanitarian values of the ancient Greeks and Romans very inviting. The arts were reborn from classical ideas, and a new focus was placed on individuals and the natural world (Wright 80). New inventions and wonders filled Europe. This was the era of both the printing press and telescope's birth. New ideas permeated the world, remolding the way people thought. music and architecture were no exceptions to this rebirthing."
Abstract The paper begins with an analysis of the painting by Francesco Mazzola Parmigianino from which the poem's title is taken. An analysis of each stanza of the poem follows, concentrating on the motifs of reflection and perception in the poem: i.e. the universe and the distortions of the universe through language. The paper concludes with an explanation of Ashbery's use of quotations from various sources.
From the Paper "John Ashbery, in ?Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror,? discusses impressions gleaned from meditating on Francesco Mazzola Parmigianino's self-portrait of the same name and the philosophical sentiments it inspires. The opposing yet complimentary dynamics of perception's flow from an objective universe (observation of the real) and outward expression of the subjective self's musings on said perception (formation of thought and language) is the undercurrent motif coursing throughout the poem??a constant vacillation between inward (Parmigianino's distant eye, seeing the reflection) and outward (his magnified hand, translating it) radiates as a purgatorial pendulum of Ashbery observations and tangential comments."
Tags: modern, perspective, language, art, time, creation, death
Abstract This paper states that Monet achieves the style of Impressionism through his knowledge of color theory, the physiology of the eye, the science of optics and the nature of light. When viewing Terrace at Saint-Adresse, one gets an impression or visual sensation of the spontaneous light and color of the moment, by using bright, concentrated dabs of color and examining the effects that light on human visual perception.
From the Paper "The most basic elements of a painting are line, shape, light, texture and color, while the most basic elements of composition are centrality, symmetry, asymmetry and balance. Claude Monet's Terrace at Saint-Adresse c.1866 represented a revolutionary approach to the basic elements of painting of his time. Contrary to the popular technical style of Realism, or painting a historically important scene using realistic and smooth strokes to depict fixed details, Monet's painting is an expression of the immediate and ephemeral attributes of nature. When one experiences Terrace at Saint-Adresse, the viewer gets an impression, a visual sensation of the spontaneous light and color of the moment."
