Art Object from a Familiar Culture
One of the works that has both cultural and historical interest to study is the painting American Gothic by Grant Wood. This work of art made a significant contribution to the culture of the United States, as it represented not only the culture of the country itself but also the society of the 1900s. The painting was painted in 1930 and depicts a man and a woman standing against the background of a Gothic-style farmhouse. Both characters have quite strict and serious facial expressions; the man holds a pitchfork in his hands.
The realism of this painting stands out, manifested not only in the technique used by the artist but also in the clothes and surroundings of the married couple. When making American Gothic, the author intended to express Midwestern American values and rural life during the Great Depression (Nygard, 2022). It can be said that he successfully showed the difficulties that people of that time went through through the depicted characters. Their emotionless facial expression provides insight into the challenges and hardships they had to go through during this difficult period for the United States.
Art Object from an Unfamiliar Culture
Another work of art that attempted to convey the emotional state of people of a particular period is The Scream by Edvard Munch. The Norwegian artist used bright colors and unique techniques to convey the pressure and anxiety experienced by people living in modern society (Pettersen, 2022). Studying the works of different cultures provides an understanding of how different artists saw the problems of the society in which they existed. Of particular importance in this context is the use of the humanities lens to understand diverse cultural works and the reasons for their creation.
Summary
Therefore, The Scream and American Gothic both raise social issues in an attempt to emphasize the need for change. Learning more about cultural works from other cultures contributes to gaining new perspectives on experiences in my life. This is because it allows me to look at the events taking place in different ways and to be aware of the factors that affect them.
References
Nygard, T. (2022). Agriculture and art. A Companion to American Agricultural History, 389-408. Web.
Pettersen, P. (2022). Edvard Munch–The Scream. International Journal of Conservation Science, 13, 1405-1420.