A discussion on the idea of art as propaganda through an examination of two works: "The Death of General Wolfe" by Benjamin West and the "Oath of the Horatii" by Jacques-LouisDavid.
Abstract Using a compare and contrast methodology, this paper explores the propagandist values and themes present in both "The Death of General Wolfe" by Benjamin West, and "Oath of the Horatii" by Jacques-LouisDavid, as well as examining the artistic and stylistic differences of each.
From the Paper "Eighteenth century virtues such as honour, valour, and love of one's country were believed to produce great people and great deeds (Gardner's 846). Other virtues including courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice were considered 'natural' and find their place in patriotic or propagandist works of art. The theme of the 'death in battle' of young military heroes has been expressed since antiquity, both in statuary and other forms of art. This same theme of the death of a military hero is portrayed in Benjamin West's The Death of General Wolfe."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the famous painting 'The Death of Marat' by Jacques-LouisDavid is considered to be a masterpiece of neoclassical art. It is also probably one of the most iconic images of the French Revolution. The writer describes that in the center of the painting, the torso of a bleeding, dying man emerges. In his left hand, resting on a table, is a piece of paper with writing on it, while in his right hand, falling down to the ground, is a quill. The writer discusses that David's 'Death of Marat' is meant to dramatize the moment when Jean-Paul Marat, who published the radical newspaper 'The Friend of the People', was murdered. The event occurred dramatically when Marat was writing in his bathtub. The writer maintains that it is largely thanks to the 'Death of Marat' that David is now regarded as one of the great painters of the French Revolution. The writer concludes that the 'Death of Marat' can be found in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels, although copies of the painting, created in the revolutionary fervor that followed its unveiling, are on display in museums throughout France.
From the Paper "It is also not coincidental that David, of all people, would choose to depict Marat's death via painting. Like Marat, David had close ties to the Jacobins. A strong supporter of Robespierre, David became close friends with Marat during his lifetime. Marat and Robespierre both had the charisma and talent of overwhelming large masses of people through their speeches and actions. David would take on the responsibility of organizing Marat's funeral, as well as painting this beautiful, moving homage to the fallen hero. It is in many ways reminiscent of one of his earlier paintings, The Death of Lepelletier de Saint-Fargeau.
"David completed The Death of Marat in a very short time span. It would go on to become one of the most famous paintings of Neoclassicism, and is frequently evoked as David's best painting. Many critics have also evoked David as a precursor of Modernism, thanks to The Death of Marat."
Examines themes and styles of the idealistic works of Jacques-LouisDavid and his influence on other public art, focusing on political art based on Enlightenment values.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 63.95
Abstract The ideal of public art fostered by Jacques-LouisDavid was embraced by painters in France and Spain in the period 1780 to 1830. This was a political art, based on the ideals of the Enlightenment, which engaged in criticism or praise of the state. But in this extremely volatile period shifts in politics, transformations of the state, and changes of leaders in the two countries meant that this highly political art did not always meet David's ideal. Depending on the state of politics the times could call for praise or blame of the leadership or would allow more or less explicit critiques by painters.
From the Paper "The ideal of public art fostered by Jacques-Louis David was embraced by painters in France and Spain in the period 1780 to 1830. This was a political art, based on the ideals of the Enlightenment, which engaged in criticism or praise of the state. But in this extremely volatile period shifts in politics, transformations of the state, and changes of leaders in the two countries meant that this highly political art did not always meet David's ideal. Depending on the state of politics the times could call for praise or blame of the leadership or would allow more or less explicit critiques by painters. An examination of four examples of public art from this period shows how painters sought to promote Enlightenment ideals despite great differences in the political circumstances to which they responded. A comparison of David's Lictors Returning to Brutus the Bodies of ..."
Abstract The paper examines the works of Jacques-LouisDavid, a Neoclassical genius of his time, and how he used his subject matter and formalism to propagate and inspire the masses. The paper then studies the works of Francisco de Goya, a Romantic artist who used powerful emotion and stark coloring to portray some of the brutalism of his time. The paper points out that Goya showed the bad side of war while David portrayed it to be heroic.
From the Paper "Neo Classical, which means "new classical", was the predominant artistic style in Europe and North America between the 1750's to the 1830's. Neoclassicism was involved in looking back at Greece and Rome. This was the age of enlightenment, and critical thinkers, reason, math, and sciences were on a high spread. A lot of it was associated with the better archeological knowledge of antiquity though the rediscovery of sites including Herculaneum and Pompeii (Langmuir and Lynton 814). I believe they looked back to the classical cultures because, as the text put it, "Classical cultures represented the height of civilized society, and Greece and Rome served as models of enlightened political organizations." (Text pg.814) With this at hand many artists studied in these classical areas such as Jacques-Louis David."
Tags: Neoclassicism, Napoleon, Romanticism, emotion, war
Abstract This paper describes the Neoclassical art movement, a severe, unemotional form of art that was traced back to the style of ancient Greece and Rome. It was a combination of aesthetic attitudes and principles based on the culture, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome and was characterized by emphasis on form, simplicity, proportion, and restrained emotion. The paper discusses and compares two artists from this period, Jacques-LouisDavid and Jean-Dominique Ingres. Several of their works are examined in the paper.
From the Paper "In Europe, the nineteenth century was an age of radical change during which the modern world took shape. In a world that was experiencing a population explosion of unparalleled magnitude, revolution followed revolution, a pattern punctuated by counter-revolution and conservative reaction. In thought as well as in science, the nineteenth century was an era of grand new theories through which visionary thinkers attempted to unify whole bodies of knowledge into precise, well-ordered systems. Artist in the nineteenth century were also confronted with new innovations and their individual artistic styles and works changed with the times. These artists found themselves using the elements of line, shape and color to represent their private world, the realm of imagination and feeling. The functions of the artist and of the artist's medium were decisively transformed by the modern world. "
A comparison of the history and creations of two pieces of art - a painting entitled "The Oath of Horatii" by Jacques-LouisDavid and Auguste Rodin's sculpture, "The Thinker."
Abstract This paper compares two pieces of art - a painting entitled "The Oath of Horatii" by Jacques-LouisDavid and Auguste Rodin's sculpture, "The Thinker." It describes the history and background of each artwork and the reasons for their commission. The paper looks briefly at how they were created and the final outcome for each piece. It also looks at where the pieces can be found today.
From the Paper "The figures in the painting are lit from the left and standing out against the dark background. There are three separate scenes--the three Horatii, stand on the left in a military pose and face their father who is in the middle of the painting blessing them with his right hand and raising three swords with his left hand. In the third scene, the women hold each other. Each of these three areas shows a different emotion--the tense faces on the Horatii, the agony of the father and the grief of the women. Calvet (39) explains that David followed the composition of the fresco, with the central figures placed in the foreground to the right, the wall of a temple with figures standing and sitting among the columns in the middle ground, and in background a classical columned facade. Red is the color that is used throughout to contrast with the dark areas. The other colors are muted browns and cremes (Eitner 23). It emphasizes the blood and hot emotions on the one hand, but the sorrow on the other."
Abstract This paper discusses the capture, trial and sentencing of Louis Riel. The paper discusses the public viewpoint on his sentencing, expressing the view that there is little evidence of intelligent reasoning. The paper suggests that those who do not wish to see Louis Riel hanged protest that he is a champion for the half breeds and native people of the Northwest whose heritage is being degraded and stripped away by the Canadian government.
Abstract This paper is an historical study of The French Revolution. It discusses the situation in France before the outbreak of the revolution. It details the execution of King Louis XVI and his mistakes that led to it. It studies the failed political system at the time as one of the causes of the revolution. Finally, it also gives a detailed examination of Mary Antoinette's role at the time and why she was executed.
From the Paper "The prevailing theory of Divine right of Kings was the philosophy behind monarchy. Earlier, Louis XIV had used the absolute power of monarchy to the extreme. King was God's representative on earth, and he alone could possess and exercise earthly power. He was always right because he represented and was the incarnation, so to say, of his people.
By the eve of the French Revolution, however, few intellectuals and political leaders accepted idea of the King's divine right. The situation was compounded by Louis XVI's weakness as an absolute monarch, though many supported monarchy in the interest of maintaining law and order and continuation of the national tradition. Louis XVI saw himself as the best judge of the people's good and he tried to do right by them, at least in his own opinion.(<http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/ French revolution 89/bar11.gif>) But to the majority of the people, the King was supposed to be like a father, kind and benevolent. 97% of the population, who were peasants, were fierce monarchists."
Tags: execution, Louis, XVI, Mary, Antoinette, French, Revolution, France
Abstract The paper presents a letter explaining what Louis Riel did for this nation in the middle 1800s. The paper describes how he became a national hero for a lot of people in the world and of course mostly for the Canadians. The confrontations he had with the government from that time took him to really hard times; he had to run away and then he gave his life for the community, Metis and their own beliefs and culture. His ideologies were based on respect and equality for all the people in a province. The paper concludes that thanks to him, Manitoba became a province in Canada.
From the Paper "I believe that without the Louis Riel legacy, Manitoba would not be the powerful and rich province that it is now. So many facts had to happen thanks to Riel, so Manitoba could stay with it's own roots and continue through the history and be at this moment one of the most important places in this nation. We as citizens of this country should realize that this province became part of the Canadian Confederation because Riel negotiated on a provisional government after leading two resistance movements against the former government of Canada, fighting for the Metis people's rights to keep alive his traditions and culture."
Abstract This paper is a character analysis of the main traits of David Copperfield. The most important feature of David is that he is Dickens' novelist, and his character is examined in light of that.
Abstract This paper details David's historical success in gaining power and unifying the people of Israel. This paper also discusses David's complex character that learns from each experience and recognizes the value of keeping promises and honoring alliances. The author of this paper examines Deuteronomy's theory that David's rise to power and unifying the Israelites was simply because he was appointed by God to do so. This narrative offers a steady path of intellectual growth and self-awareness that would contradict a strict Deuteronimistic interpretation.
From the Paper "However, David also takes his men into battle against other tribes, and does not shrink from wiping out entire populations because he does not want survivors to spread the word that he has restricted his attacks to Canaanite peoples. He has also been building his own wealth with booty from his conquests. In addition, he takes two wives, Abibail, the wife of Nabal and Ahinoam of Jezreel."
Abstract This paper discusses David, son of Jesse, and the three great tests he faced of his loyalty to God's will. The author relates that David's responses offer insight into his relationship with God and with his people.
From the Paper "David's servants said to him: "This is the day of which the LORD said to you that I will deliver your enemy into your grasp. Do with him as you see fit ." Christianity is based on the concept that God grants humans free will."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses some of the ideas of the 18th century Scottish philosopher, David Hume. The writer examines Hume's concept of cause and effect. David Hume's use of reason versus experience is discussed in this paper. The writer also looks at Hume's view of religion.
From the Paper "David Hume was an eighteenth century Scottish philosopher and historian. He believed that the biggest obstacle to improvement in the moral or metaphysical sciences was what he referred to as the obscurity of the ideas and ambiguity of the terms. Hume argued that conventional definitions defining terms in terms of other terms create confusion by substituting synonyms for the original and thus never break new ground. Stephen Miller writing in "Wilson Quarterly" explains that Hume believed determining the cognitive content of a idea or term required ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the bargaining at the 1978 Camp David Accords summit. The writer contends that the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel marked a notable event in Middle East history. The writer discusses international bargaining in this paper. Further, the writer examines the role of the United States, issues and compromises.
From the Paper "Shibley Telhami characterized the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, concluded under the aegis of the United States in 1978, as a remarkable event in Middle East history. From the perspective of international politics, Telhami believes that Camp David provides an excellent opportunity for examining international bargaining and exploring the relative explanatory power of several causal variables. Among these variables are super power and regional relations, conflicts in culture and the actual structure of the process of bargaining as well as the ... "
Tags: Camp David Accourds, Egypt, Sadat, Israel, Begin, Carter, U.S>
Abstract The paper relates how Sir David Edward and the making of substantive European law have become fairly conjoined in the minds of most legal observers over the course of the past decade-and-a-half. With this in mind, the paper briefly discusses Judge Edward's steady rise to the top of his profession, as well as the maturation of the peculiar institution - the European Court of Justice - with which he is most associated. Just as importantly, the paper examines the evolution of the European Union, for without this Union's emergence and growth, the story of David Edward would be dramatically different.
