Cultural Identity and Theater Aesthetics

Theater in the twenty-first century is characterized by the examination of various topics related to diverse aspects of human life. Cultural identity is one of the areas explored with the help of theatrical aesthetics. It is noteworthy that the issues related to identity have been recurrent throughout the history of...

The “Hand” Drawing by Charles White

For this assignment, I have decided to choose a painting by Charles White which is called “Hand.” This and other paintings of this artist can be found on the official website of Jerald Melberg Gallery that is situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. This painting was the one that attracted my...

Artist Role in Twilight: Los Angeles and The Day of The Locust

Real-life with its dramatic events was always an object for real art which aimed to reflect the comprehensive tragedy happening now and then in a world around. Were those events of a large scale, such as war, epidemic, famine or were they of a local dimension, such as political and...

The Museum of Western Heritage: Visit Experience

Visiting museums may be very beneficial for enlivening a lot of important things related to historical matters in one’s mind. From time to time, when I have a chance to visit this or that museum, I find it very interesting and even inspiring. It helps me to put together the...

TV Buddha Artwork and Iconography

Introduction The term Buddha refers to the most respected form of religious and philosophical spirit in the Asian continent. On the other hand, TV Buddha is an artwork interpreted by a famous Video artist whose name was Nam June Paik. Wardrip-Fruin & Montfort (127) noted that “the artwork consisted of...

Artworks during Early Civilizations

Art is a very interesting subject that has evolved into many stages from early civilizations to the current generation. Artwork can be categorized into two major groups which are: Auditory art and visual art. Auditory art consists of all kinds of artworks that can be heard by the human ear....

The Theatre of Absurd History

Introduction The theatre of absurd is attributed to the origin when a French philosopher Albert Camus through his myth which he wrote in 1942 did outline that the humans situation sand surroundings are in basic terms on no use, lacks meaning and are literally absurd From the movies that followed...

Painting the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

The Birth of Venus is a complex structure realized by deciphering meanings in multiple elements of the painting. In the most general sense, the primary objective of the art as such is perception and reflection of existing and subconscious reality. In practice, various genres and trends of art often intermingle...

Jackson Pollock’s Painting “Convergence”

The creative activity of Jackson Pollock raised much criticism and doubts concerning its significance in the world of art and the level of professionalism and artistic talent included in it even at the time of Pollock’s life. The reason for such prejudice can be seen in the unique, individual style...

Picture “Vatel” by Roland Joffe

The history of such a country as France is of special difficulty in this respect as far as this country has a specific history which closely related to the social changes and cultural development in the whole world. Thus, to understand better the peculiarities of the formation of the modern...

Aphrodite and Her Famous Nudity: Art Interpretation

Introduction The cold and emotionless nudity of Ancient Greek statues has become so common to an average viewer that the lack of clothes and the presence of numerous anatomic details on sculptures no longer warrants even a snicker. However, the perception of nakedness in ancient Greece art pieces has experienced...

La Sylphide Ballet Review: Atlanta Ballet’s Enchanting Performance

Introduction “La Sylphide” is a romantic ballet in two acts, created by the choreographer Filippo Taglioni and first staged by him in 1832 at the Paris Opera. The ballet now exists in two main editions: a production by Filippo Taglioni and a production by August Bournonville. I am going to...

Humanities: Impressionism and Surrealism

Impressionism and Surrealism emerged at different times. The term “Impressionism” was created in 1974 (Davies 871), and 1924 was the year when surrealists proclaimed their manifesto (Bishop 396). Their influences, key ideas, and techniques were also reasonably different. However, both these art movements were built around the idea of expressing...

“Approaching Thunder Storm” Painting by Heade

This essay will analyze the painting Approaching Thunder Storm by Martin Johnson Heade. The painting portrays a man sitting near a seashore. There is also a dog nearby, as well as two dhows sailing in the sea. The painting depicts the sea and the clouds as black, which shows that...

“The Oath of the Horatii” by Jacques-Louis David

Introduction The Oath of the Horatii is one of the great paintings done by Jacques-Louis David. The painting was completed in Rome before the close of 1785. It was widely and symbolically used as a communication tool in political and philosophical issues. It is apparent that romanticism influenced Jacques-Louis to...

“Paragraphs on Conceptual Art” by Sol LeWitt

Sol LeWitt was an American conceptual artist, an expert in his domain who held numerous exhibitions in museums and galleries, and wrote the “Paragraphs on Conceptual Art.” In those “Paragraphs” he wrote that “the idea becomes the machine that makes the art.” LeWitt saw this principle as a basis of...

Mastering Hamlet: Techniques for Portraying Shakespeare’s Prince of Denmark

Introduction Every actor should be aware of the peculiarities of the character, certain stories related to plays, and the way this character can be beneficially presented to the audience. The more an actor learns about the character, the more appropriate can be considered the method chosen to introduce this role....

Art: “Attitudes Towards Photography” by Gisele Freund

The massive social and cultural changes of the previous century challenged many of the established traditions, including the perception of art. The introduction of innovative tools such as photography further complicated the matters and initiated a debate on its artistic merits. The current paper analyzes a chapter from the book...

Realist and Impressionist Paintings in 1850-88

Introduction This essay discusses the changing representations of work between 1850 and 1888. Five pieces of art have been used to illustrate these periods while placing each work firmly within its social and historical context. The Stone Breakers by Gustave Courbet (1850) In the painting depicting two laborers, one youthful...

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Father of Modern Photography

The Photographer – Henri Cartier-Bresson Henri Cartier-Bresson is one of the most famous photographers. He is of French origin and is considered to be the father of photography. Street photography, also known as real life reportage, is attributed to him because he assisted in their development (Picture1). He was born...

“Physiological Diagram” Artwork by Andy Warhol

The artwork that I selected for this assignment was created by Andy Warhol in the middle of the 1980s (1984-1985) and titled Physiological Diagram. This piece is a synthetic polymer paint on canvas. It was produced as a part of Physiological Diagram series, which presupposes that it is tightly connected...

Greek Pottery and Ancient Art Periods

Introduction Greek art has evolved for more than 2,000 years with most of its traces found in pottery. However, a large part of the history related to Greek pottery began emerging after the dark period. Some of the major periods, which are visible from the Greek art during the time,...

Humans of New York: Thought-Provoking Project by Brandon Stanton

Introduction Humans of New York has shown to be one of the most thought-provoking projects of recent years. Brandon Stanton presented the public with the collection of photographs depicting New Yorkers telling their elaborate stories. In this way, the photographer captured the spirit of the city that is often called...

Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?

Linda Nochlin a well-known art history scholar has written many essays on this subject, however, the essay that made the greatest impact on the field of history was “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” (NOCHLIN, par. I). From this idea and the profound question put up by Linda...

Paintings: “Third-Class Carriage” and “The Gleaners”

Art is one of the major sources of information about cultural, historical and social development of society. In the late 19th century, the movement of romanticism was changed by realism which was focused on the truthfulness of the contemporary life. The leading theme of the realistic art was life of...

Artemisia Gentileschi’s Self-Portraits: A Feminist Perspective and Artistic Analysis

Introduction The art of the Renaissance is often considered to have the most recognizable pieces and artists. However, the list of Renaissance painters, sculptors, and architects is dominated by men and their creations. Only a handful of women of the Renaissance period gained some recognition. One of these women is...

Existentialism in 1940-50s: Alienation & Society’s Influence

Introduction When existentialism appeared in the 1940-50s as a philosophic and literary movement, it primarily concerned the idea of alienation of the artist from the world and the deteriorating influence the society exerts on human nature (Modern art movements, n.d.). Existentialists reacted against the systematic approach of rationalist philosophy that...

Gordon Parks’ and Grant Wood’s Artistic Views on America

Art is one of the most important creations of the humanity. Artists manage to notice important trends occurring in the society and these works draw people’s attention to these trends. Of course, all people are different since all of them have different experiences and, hence, different views. Thus, Grant Wood...

West Side Story’s Production Design

Introductions West Side Story is indubitably one of the best modern renditions of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. As evidenced by the numerous awards, it picked up the enormous fan base it cultivated after its release. Set at the western end of Manhattan, West Side Story tells the...

Arthur Miller’s Play “The Crucible”

Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible” is set in Salem, the 17th-century American society, characterized by religious austerity. Due to the strictness of religious laws, adherence to Puritanism enables one to maintain reputable moral and social standing. Major characters such as, Reverend Parris and Elizabeth, are too keen on maintaining a...

The Play “Don Juan of Seville” by Tirso de Molina

Don Juan is considered to be the most famous and even legendary libertine, the affairs of whom have been described by many authors during different periods of time. This personality was a real genius, who was able to seduce any woman any time. He got unbelievable pleasure while fighting with...

Vincent Van Gogh Life and Times

“The Potato Eaters” by Vincent Van Gogh Vincent Van Gogh was a renowned artist born in 1853 in Netherlands. He left a legacy of rich paintings that could be easily recognized and appreciated across generations. Since his father was a clergy, he grew up in a religious household. He learned...

“Rrose Selavy” by Man Ray

The photo of Rrose Selavy (i.e. Marcel Duchamp) by Man Ray in 1921 showcases Duchamp dressing as a woman in order to manifest his alter ego Rrose Selavy. When examining the photo, it immediately just seems like either a very masculine looking woman in a fur coat or a man...

Satire in Francisco de Goya’s and Banksy Works

Examples of artists using the tools of visual media to comment on the current state of affairs in their communities can be found both today and in past centuries. To demonstrate the use of satire in the visual arts through time, I chose The Family of Charles IV, painted by...

“The Piano Lesson” a Play by August Wilson

August Wilson dwells upon a very important issue in his play The Piano Lesson. He tries to find the best answer to the question concerning people’s past and heritage. Eventually, the playwright decides that people should understand, accept and cherish their past to have their future. The answer is manifested...

Common Themes in Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” and McLean’s “Vincent” Artworks

Introduction Art is a form of expressing emotions, stories, and history, which is why it has been praised for centuries. Sculpture, paintings, and music have been among the most sophisticated ways to convey messages and share pieces of wisdom, touching the souls of the audience. Most often, songs and pieces...

Lysistrata and Chi-Raq: Satirical Resistance Against War and Violence

Introduction Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata,” a classical Greek comedy penned in 411 BCE, and Spike Lee’s 2015 film “Chi-Raq,” set amidst the gang violence of modern-day Chicago, are separated by over two millennia, yet they share a striking thematic core: the intersection of relationship, war, and power. Both works offer a satirical...

Van Gogh’s “Irises” vs Monet’s “Sunrise”: Color, Light, and Line

Introduction Paintings of two outstanding artists in art history – Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet – are the treasures left to the world. Both impressionist painters became famous for their colorful and fascinating artworks that included their unique styles. While Van Gogh is recognized for his expressive brushstrokes and...

The “Pine Spirit” Painting by Wu Guanzhong

Wu Guanzhong took motivation from modern western artwork and broke away from the legendary history of Chinese paintings and drawings to produce pieces that perfectly encapsulate the genre. The masterpieces by him that most of his followers are familiar with, which depict this, are from the late 1970s (Liu, 2019)....

Impressionism and Post-Impressionism Compared

It is important to note that many art movements and their corresponding styles are responses to the previous artistic approaches. While some of these movements were taking and adopting the ideas from the preceding ones, others were focused on integrating completely opposing frameworks. The given analysis will primarily focus on...

Chinese Art: Unique Attributes and Characteristics

Introduction It is important to note that Chinese art has a range of unique attributes and characteristics. A Thousand Peaks and Myriad Ravines is a painting by Wang Hui, which exemplifies this uniqueness by providing both the landscape tradition of the use of Chinese ink as well as a short...

Alcatraz Prison and Its History With Criminals

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, famously referred to as “The Rock”, served as a maximum prison from 1934-1963. It was located at Alcatraz Island on the San Francisco coast and could hold about 260 prisoners at any time. Alcatraz prison used to hold hardcore criminals from other federal penitentiaries, including Al Capone...

How Has Art Nouveau Influenced the Development of Art and Design?

Art Nouveau is a style that arose in the second half of the 19th century and united different branches of advanced art under common stylistic principles. This is not only a painting style; it is manifested in design, fashion, and architecture. When someone talks about the Art Nouveau style, listeners...

Analysis of Paintings by Manet, Degas, and Gauguin

“Claude Monet Painting in His Studio Boat,” by Edouard Manet (1874) Manet, the French modernist painter, depicted one of the famous Impressionists. His technique with petite and thin brush strokes and emphasis on the depiction of light made him stand out among other artists (Kleiner, 2020). Manet’s art series with...

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Innovative Perspective on Painting

Introduction When considering the key contributors to the evolution of the 20th-century art, one cannot overlook Georgia O’Keeffe with her incredible innovative perspe4ctive on painting and art, in general. In her article, Lissa A. Pounders discusses the symbolic significance of O’Keeffe’s paintings (18). Though the writer limits herself to the...

Leonardo Da Vinci: Connecting Art to Science

One of the ways to draw parallels between art and science would be to mention how Leonardo Da Vinci tried to gain more insight into natural phenomena and observe them to an extent where he would recognize all of their peculiarities. From the human musculature to lip movements, Da Vinci...

Humanities and Humanism in Frida Kahlo’s Art

Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo used to be a mixed-race painter from Mexico who lived for 47 years before she died in 1954. She was born in 1907 and died in 1954 after being infected with polio. Frida wedded renowned Rivera, later divorced, but again re-united and converted to a radical...

Arpita Singh: The First Female Indian Artist

Introduction Arpita Singh is the first female artist in India to represent the homeworld in her paintings. Her early works reflect images of childhood memories, absorbing the world’s complexities around her. The bright details of everyday life in the childhood home bloom with colors in her drawings. In most of...

Artist Katsushika Hokusai’s Life and Artworks

The artist’s life Hokusai was born to an artisan household in the Katsushika district of Edo, Japan, on the 23rd day of the ninth month of the 10th year of the Hreki era (October or November 1760). Katsushika Hokusai was a brilliant Ukiyo-e artist who is estimated to have created...

The Types of Printmaking: Woodcut, Etching, and Lithography

Introduction Printmaking is performed using three major techniques: relief printmaking, intaglio printmaking, and lithography. All types of printmaking are based on a common principle: the image is drawn on some surface and transferred to a sheet of paper. The surfaces used for printmaking include wood, linoleum, metal plates, and stones....

Noah Charney on the Fame of Mona Lisa

A TED Talk by Noah Charney, delivered in January 2022, discusses a question of art history – namely, why the Mona Lisa became and remains arguably the most famous painting in the world. As the author points out, the theme may be fairly controversial between art historians, as the obvious...

Artist Teju Cole Biography’s Analysis

Introduction Photographers, art historians, and authors have dominated the literature world by writing exemplary works. Teju Cole is one of the most famous African artists who have mastered the art of writing and have expressed their thoughts through literary works. Born of Nigerian immigrants in Michigan, Teju Cole has written...

Immortal Blossoms in an Everlasting Spring by Giuseppe Castiglione

Introduction Immortal blossoms in an everlasting spring were sixteen bird and flower paintings by Giuseppe Castiglione. Castiglione was an Italian artist and a Jesuit missionary based in China during the Qing dynasty, where he was known as Lang Shining. The particular piece of art is associated with eternity and the...

Art as a Form of Communication

To try and define what art or artwork is is a gargantuan task. Perhaps, more challenging than creating art or deciphering the central idea that the author put into their work. Art is extremely personal, but, at the same time, it is available to all. Art does not discriminate against...

Defining Art in the Past and Present

Mimesis The ancient Greeks approached art as a form of mimesis. They were convinced that the major objective of creativity is to imitate or copy reality. Such a definition may prompt artists to develop their skills in order to convey shadows, light, and other peculiarities precisely. However, it can be...

Surrealism and Dadaism: Comparative Analysis

Introduction Surrealism and Dadaism are highly recognizable art movements predominant in the early 20th century. Supposedly surrealism that became common in the 1920s could have emerged from dadaism, which developed earlier in 1916 to 1920 and may have outgrown it. Both movements have distinctive cultural connotations and periods despite the...

Roman Paintings and How They Evolved

Introduction Families in ancient Rome were often cramped and typically small. Some Roman homes were quite dark and necessitated the installation of windows. The Romans used divider paintings to open up and brighten their environments, making them appear larger. They made use of frescoes (Dardenay, 2018). A fresco is innovated...

The Compositional Development of “The Last Supper” by Da Vinci

There are many pieces of art that portray historically significant or religion-based events. One of the most renowned artists who skilfully incorporated complex composition and style in such work was Leonardo da Vinci. In painting the Last Supper, he impacted the room where Christ and the witnesses are seen as...

Albert Einstein’s Tongue Photo: History and Significance

Introduction Albert Einstein is an outstanding scientist who gained fame for his physics discoveries and became a cult image. In addition to scientific achievements, a photo of Einstein, where he stuck his tongue out, gained significant fame. Today, this image is widely distributed and used in various fields – from...

Social Impacts of the Hong Kong Arts Festival

Introduction Art festivals have always been places where people could externalize their desire to watch new trends in art, assess different artists, and form a community based on personal overviews. Moreover, such events play important roles in the social, cultural, and economic life of cities where festivals take place. Hong...

Religious Interpretive Art Project on God’s Omnipresence

Christ has no body now on earth, but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours; yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion looks out at the world, yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good, and yours are the hands with which...

“Study for the Head of Julius Caesar” by Andrea Del Salto

The drawing Study for the Head of Julius Caesar by Andrea del Salto is a red chalk portrait of Julius Caesar. His face presents a profile but does not appear as angular and rigid as profile images of political figures of the ancient era usually do. The image is based...

Appreciating Ancient Art from Museum Experience

Introduction Museums serve as important points where treasures are kept for public viewing especially for ancient sculptures, decorative arts, paintings among other collections. Many museums in the modern world today have included industrial arts of the 19th century especially the collection on quality industrial designs. In the museum, there is...

The Black Square by Malevich: History and Context

Suprematism is the genre with the main idea to supersede the modernist genres such as Cubo-Futurism. Its paintings are geometric and seem to be primitive. The Black Square is a typical example of a suprematist painting. It is unusual and dissimilar to typical art: it shows no familiar forms, only...

Discussion of Famous Paintings

The Work of Claude Monet Claude Monet’s “The Water Lily Pond” was the piece of art I chose. The painting was created in the year 1899 from a mature garden. Oil paint was used to create the Water Lily Pond. This work of art was produced during the Impressionism period....

Diviners, Priests, and Elders and Their Role in Art

Appreciation for special, esoteric knowledge has existed in every community, leading to the ubiquitous presence of a caste that supposedly has the ability to serve as the mediator between the divine and the ordinary. As a result, the functions of diviners, priests, and elders in society have been mostly homogenous...

Kandinsky’s and Matisse’s in Different Aspects of Art

Since the second half of the nineteenth century, the art of painting has evolved from photographic-like depictions of objects and people to complex representation of a more abstract nature. Explaining the new art forms, many painters set down their artistic concepts and principles in treatises and essays, among the most...

Photojournalism. Is the Proof in the Picture?

Technological advances in electronic imaging and the proliferation of digital photography have greatly reduced the validity of the belief “the proof is in the picture.” Photojournalists depend greatly on this belief of the integrity of a picture, but in the age of today’s technology, there is a lot of debate...

“Freedom From Want” by Rockwell

Any famous painting is a combination of both artistic talent and deep connotations invoked in it. Therefore, looking at an artwork merely as a picture without going deeply into the origins and subtle meanings of various scenes, and characters leaves many details unrevealed. A perfect example of a painting requiring...

Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks”

Analysis and Reflection Name of the painting: “Nighthawks” Name of the artist: Edward Hopper Date created: 1942 Image of the painting: Edward Hopper is an outstanding American artist whose unique style vividly depicted the realities and specific features of American life in the middle of the 20th century. The time...

Art Creation and Reflection: A Personal Art Piece

Painting is one of the most popular forms of traditional art, which has fascinated people by the variability of genres and the uniqueness of ideas hidden behind each creation. My favorite kinds of painting are landscape and still life. In the present paper, I would like to present my own...

“Rust Red Hills” by G. O’Keeffe: Inspiration Piece

Inspiration Piece Georgia O’Keeffe painted the work above in 1930, basing it on a New Mexico landscape near Abiquiu. It depicts a series of hills of different colors, though many of them, and the painting as a whole, take on a reddish tone. The hills appear to writhe slightly, giving...

“The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Art Creation and Reflection Since ancient times, people have created art and marveled over it. The variety of art mediums allows every person to find his or her own favorite genre and explore the works of different artists proficient in it. As for me, painting is the most graceful kind...

The Problem of Poverty in Art of Different Periods

Artists have always been at the forefront of addressing social issues, by depicting them in their works, they attempt to draw the attention of the public to the topics which are often avoided by politicians. The problem of poverty affects many societies worldwide, and to this date has not been...

Development of the Museum as an Institution

The concept of an institution requires that there is a mutual agreement on what kind of solutions are used to respond to the problems that arise as a part of everyday societal needs. To be more specific, the term “institution” could be related to either private or public organisms intended...

Averting Evil, Confirming Power: Babylonian Panel With Striding Lion

The Ancient Middle East had produced many great civilizations, each with its own contributions to the region’s history and culture. Mesopotamia was one of the earliest centers of civilization in the Near East and the world in general, and its cities were among the most developed ones in terms of...

Contemporary Islamic Art: Hojat Amani’s “Fallen Angels”

Introduction Today, Islamic art has a strong presence in the world. Contemporary artists continue to explore the line between the modern and ancient as they combine modern technology, political messages, and history. All art in the LACMA is traditional to a certain extent: it uses the Arabic alphabet and traditional...

Symbolism of the “Bechdel Family” by Alison Bechdel

Introduction Literary works require consideration through the lens of various techniques used by their authors, and in the case of “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,” symbolism is essential. In the book, the author, Alison Bechdel, narrates about her childhood and relationship with her father with the use of a variety...

Photography Art: A Girl on a Bridge on Lake Garda

Reflection Photographs give information on what real-life scenarios look like away from human influence. In this case, a sketched photo of a girl on a bridge on Lake Garda is compared to that taken in real life. The picture shows a vast scene of an unending sea and a girl...

Shakespeare’s The Tempest Directed by Gregory Doran

Introduction The Tempest is the title of the play watched; it was written by William Shakespeare and directed by Gregory Doran in the year 2016. It was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and held by it. The central driving force behind the production is its main character, Prospero. In...

“Fall Tiling” by Warren Chang

The painting of the famous contemporary American artist Warren Chang “Fall Tilling” is exhibited in the Monterey Museum of Art. This narrative artwork, painted in 2010, depicts typical agricultural workers who are tilling the soil in Monterey County, California. This portrayal of common people doing their daily work in the...

Claude MacKay and the Harlem Renaissance

It might be assumed that the Harlem Renaissance is among the brightest and noticeable movements of the first half of the 20th century. It emphasizes the peculiarities and struggles of African American culture that are vital to know and understand to gain an in-depth comprehension of the phenomenon. Claude McKay,...

Analysis of Lee Friedlander’s Photographs

Friedlander is famous primarily for his street photography – raw, real, brazen. Lee Friedlander’s photos are like music, and that music is jazz. Through a few notes, previously nonexistent space is built up, beginning to live its own closed and self-sufficient life. In the free improvisation of light spots, the...

Ballet Nutcracker: A Kaleidoscope

Introduction The Nutcracker is a world-renowned ballet that has been captivating the audience for more than a century. Composed by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, the ballet was originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa. It is also important to note that the libretto was adapted from “The Nutcracker...

Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitarist” and the Concept of Life Journey

Every person is faced with a creative or professional crisis at some stage in their life. The nature of these events is diverse, as well as their further influence on individual development. The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso has influenced my personal life and career, as it symbolizes the movement...

The Theme of Jealousy in Relationships Reflected in Art

Jealousy is one of the strongest emotions which is often portrayed in the arts. It often causes people to experience a wide range of feelings, from insecurity to fear of rejection and anxiety. Jealousy is a destructive emotion that has the power to ruin relationships and threaten the trust between...

Museums in United States and Overseas

Introduction While researching museums in the U.S and other countries overseas, I came across quite a number. Museums are of great significance in people’s lives as they act as both recreational and educational centers. In this paper, I am going to discuss two museums that one can visit in the...

“A Woman in Blue” by Thomas Gainsborough

The artwork under consideration is a picture of A Woman in Blue (1777-1779) by Thomas Gainsborough. The size of the original is 30 x 25 1/4 in (76 x 64 cm). The picture belongs to the Hermitage collection. The portrait A Woman in Blue by Thomas Gainsborough is the single...

The Renaissance of the 12th Century: History & Culture

Introduction Renaissance is a name given to a period in history where many changes were witnessed in an otherwise stagnant society. It is a French word which can be construed to mean a new start or a rebirth (Klaus 4). Renaissance means many and diverse changes that happen at a...

Duke Ellington and Francis Bacon: Comparative Analysis

Duke Ellington Duke Ellington was an American composer and performer. He was born on April 29, 1899. At this period of time, the Wright Brothers were trying to build the first sustained flight with a powered, controlled aircraft. Aviation history can be found online Aviation history, no date. Black people...

Mary Cassatt’s “The Reading Lesson”

Introduction Art has always been a matter of burning discussions and debates over their origins and meanings. Moreover, the art works: murals, paintings, sculptures always symbolize the time frames and culture they were created within. It is a pleasure to introduce Mary Cassatt’s painting The Reading Lesson that symbolizes Cassatt’s...

Michelangelo, David and Donatello David: Comparing and Contrasting Works of Art

Introduction Artists have the talent of presenting their ideas through drawings or sculptures. From a sculpture, one can be able to understand the idea that the person who developed it wanted to put across. Different artists may come up with the same artwork but each has a different meaning. Based...

Titian’s “Venus of Urbino”

“Venus of Urbino” refers to an oil painting done by an Italian master known as Titian. It portrays a nude young female, recognized with Venus, the goddess lying down on a couch in the luxurious surrounding of the palace of Renaissance. The painting is found in Florence and the pose...

The Purist Avant-Garde and the Radical Avant-Garde Art Movements

Following Charles Jencks, avant-garde art of the 20th century can be divided into two main trends: the Purist avant-garde and the Radical avant-garde. Each of these trends is marked by the unique perception of reality and the world around us. Both trends of avant-garde art move away from mass art...

Pierre-Augustus Renoir: A Famous French Artist

Introduction Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a famous French artist who was one of the major contributors to the Impressionist movement. The main focus of his art was to celebrate beauty in all its appearances, particularly as it was revealed in the female form. His life intersected with numerous other...

Graffiti: Whether It Is a Good or Bad Side of Society

Graffiti is one of the most exciting and thrilling type of modern art. Different people consider art in different ways. Some understand it as the expression of people’s souls and ideas about society and life in general, the others are afraid of it and express their mistrust to people who...

Eddie Adams’s Photo of Shooting a Viet Cong Prisoner

Introduction Expressing emotions and impressions from looking at a photo can be quite a difficult task. This statement could be arguable because the main goal of such work is to have the people go through some sort of visual analysis. However, such analysis could stay private, rather than being described...

Cole’s Painting “The Oxbow and Gogh’s “Olive Trees With Yellow Sky and Sun”

Introduction Many painters from different movements have managed to produce admirable works that glorify God’s creation and guide people to address most of the social, economic, political, and psychological issues they face in their lives. Some of the famous painters of the 1800s whose artworks continue to attract the attention...

Henri Rousseau’s Art: Avant-Garde Influence & Unique Style

Introduction Henri Rousseau is an influential painter whose style and technique had a significant effect on the development of avant-garde. His personal life and art were very unusual, making the artist stand out among other painters of the time. The naivety and primitivism, typical to his style, saw a mixed...

“Sunset in the Yosemite Valley”: Analysis of Albert Bierstadt’s Painting

Introduction Albert Bierstadt is an outstanding American artist of the mid-late 19th century. He belongs to the Hudson River School, Rocky Mountain School, and Düsseldorf School (Manthorn and Bloom 15). The artist was most recognized for his journey to the American West and a series of paintings depicting mountain landscapes...

Sternfeld’s “McLean, Virginia, December 1978” Photo

Joel Sternfeld’s photograph “McLean, Virginia, December 1978” presents a somewhat paradoxical image to viewers. The landscape showing pumpkins scattered on the ground in front of a small and quaint farmer’s market is broken down by a burning building that is being managed by a firefighter brigade. The photograph is framed...

Edouard Manet’s Olympia Painting

Review of Edouard Manet’s Olympia Edouard Manet’s Olympia seems to intentionally provoke the debates regarding the quality and purpose of this painting. Is it possible to perceive Olympia seriously and positively when, in this work, Manet tries to represent a vulgar and nude young woman whose glance is indifferent, but...

The Emergence of Rococo Art and Architecture

The Late Baroque Style The baroque style of art was embraced by many people in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. The style was characterized by beautiful but exaggerated images. This form of art depicted darkness, nudity, and violence (Neuman 18). According to art historians, the Baroque style embraced...

Frida Kahlo’s Self Portrait, Dedicated to Dr Eloesser

Introduction World art includes many examples of works by great masters who are known to descendants. One of these artists is the Mexican Frida Kahlo. Most of her work is devoted to herself since she spent a long time alone. In the works of Kahlo, not only the influence of...

Colonial Rhetoric in Art: Natives and Identity in 19th-Century Canada

Representation as Colonial Rhetoric: the image of ‘the Native’ and ‘the habitant’ in the formation of colonial identities in early nineteenth-century Lower Canada by Gillian Poulter The article by Gillian Poulter argues that painting was used by the British and French as a means of creating, developing, and maintaining an...

“The White Peril and L’Art Nègre” by P. Leighten

When considering the influences that the European art experienced in the early 20th century, one must mention Africanism as one of the most unique and unusual ones. In her article “The White Peril and L’Art nègre: Picasso, Primitivism, and Anticolonialism,” Patricia Leighten explains that colonialism had a massive impact on...

“Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” by Benjamin

Introduction The shift towards capitalist values in the modern world has marked a distinct change in the perception of art, which prompted numerous attempts to explain the phenomenon. The current paper analyzes the essay “Work of art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” by Walter Benjamin in order to determine...

The Impact of Public Art: Edmonia Lewis’s “The Death of Cleopatra”

Introduction Art is a visual expression of creative skills or imagination that viewers appreciate for its beauty. People also appreciate art, such as sculptures, paintings, murals, architectural art, or drawings, for their emotional power or aesthetics (Alle, 2012). Public art is a form of art displayed in physical public domains....

Art of Early Middle Age, Romanesque, and Gothic Periods

Introduction Marble busts were one of the common forms of art in the Early Middle Ages; they preceded Christian art in the form of icons and were the heritage of Greek and Roman art. Marble busts often represented the elite. In this case, the woman’s clothing indicates that she was...

The Terracotta Statuette of Eros Flying

The Chosen Exhibit Description For my reflection essay after visiting the Ancient Greece Architecture Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I have chosen one of the ancient Greek pieces of art presented there, namely, the terracotta statuette of Eros flying (see Figure 1) (Karoglou, 2016). The statuette represents Eros,...

“The Two Fridas” and “Destruction of the Father”

Introduction and Thesis Statement For a long time, art and aesthetics have been used to denote political and social happenings in the society. However, the presentation of the issues has varied from one art movement to the other. The twentieth century art resulted in a change from what many described...

Abstract Art: “Disk of Newton” by Frantisek Kupka

The picture under analysis is Disk of Newton by Frantisek Kupka. He was a famous Czech painter. His name tends to be one of the most famous among all other representatives of this country. The reason of this popularity is very simple. Frantisek Kupka is one of the founders of...

“The Tempest”: Viewing and Reflection

The Tempest performed by the Savage Rose Theater Company is a classical period drama performance of the Shakespearean classic. It is a faithful adaptation of the text and its themes. The company’s portrayal of The Tempest is a creative and organic product that puts the focus on character development using...

Thomas Cole’s “View of the Arno near Florence”

Thomas Cole’s 1837 painting of the sunset at the Arno, near Florence, is one of the best artistic testimonies of the American painter’s love for Europe, especially Italy and particularly the city of Florence. Cole’s glad journey to Europe, which he made between 1829 and 1832, was probably one of...

The Play ‘How I learned to drive ’by Paula Vogel

Introduction Paula Vogel was brought up in Washington, DC. She graduated from Catholic University with a B.A in drama. However, her graduate study was turned down at Yale school of drama thus became very difficult for her to get her early plays produced. Nevertheless, she kept on working towards her...

The Breakfast Room by Pierre Bonnard

Pierre Bonnard was a French painter. He was born in 1867. The painter lived a long life and created a lot of works. He traveled a lot and had a number of exhibitions. The Breakfast Room is one of his most known paintings. It was created in 1930-1931. The painting...

“The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson

The Piano Lesson is a play by August Wilson, an African American playwright, who was popular for writing plays about the African-American experience in the twentieth century. The play has strong sentiments on the role of history in the shaping of future lives. The play title was encouraged by a...

Pedro de La Blanca Calderon’s Drama “Life Are a Dream”

Staging plays to reinvent the ideas offered by various authors in their plays is one of the trickiest issues imaginable – not because these ideas are so hard to convey with the help of a certain visual medium, but mostly because setting a staged play based on a certain work...

Architectonics of Memory: The Interplay of Built Form and Thought

Architecture has generally been considered as the art of design and construction using unique techniques that are appealing to the eyes. However, some architects have been arguing that architecture is more than this. They consider it as an art and science of trying to make the world a better place...

Bauhaus Influence on 20th-Century Design

Introduction Bauhaus was a German school that operated between 1919 and 1933 and which introduced a different form of architecture. It was run by talented artists and architects, and although for the first few years it did not have a department of architecture, it made considerable contributions to this field....

Mongolian Mask (Hudog) Sculpture: Spiritual Symbolism and Cultural Heritage

Introduction The aesthetically arresting artwork “Mask (hudog)” has a lasting effect on the observer. The mask’s distinctive style and minute details give the impression that it is a complex and ornate sculpture. The mythical creature’s large eyes and protruding tongue give it an otherworldly and supernatural allure. The mask’s inherent...

Rose Bowl Loop: An Allegory of Isolation by Paige Jiyoung Moon

Introduction The work I enjoyed the most at the exhibition was “Rose Bowl Loop.” Paige Jiyoung Moon created it in 2023. The artist was born in Seoul and currently resides in Pasadena, working as a painter and illustrator. She studied at the Art Center College of Design and is currently...

The Battle of Self-Affirmation and Negation in Photography by Thomas Allen Harris

Introduction In his mesmerizing narrative, Thomas Allen Harris beckons us to ponder the dichotomy that has long ensnared the African-American experience through the lens of photography. He astutely unearths the “two conflicting legacies” embedded within the photographic tableau, forging an inquiry that transcends epochs and epochs—a persistent tug-of-war between self-affirmation...

Henry Darger’s Art Brut and Outsider Art: The Paradox of Innocence and Darkness

Introduction Henry Darger’s Personality and Art Henry Darger, an anonymous recluse, rose to prominence as one of the most well-known figures in outsider art after his death. Darger’s life was complex; he was born in Chicago in 1892. He had a difficult upbringing in hospitals and orphanages after losing his...

The Inevitability of Fate: A Comparative Analysis of Oedipus Rex and Oldboy

Introduction The history of the genre’s growth began with the drama of ancient Greece. All individuals today descended from this development in European civilization. Therefore, looking back to understand many of today’s dramatic trends and findings can be highly helpful. The issue of fate and the freedom of human choice...

Shang Dynasty Bronze Artifacts: Symbolism, Rituals, and Feng Shui

Introduction The Wine Container is one of the most iconic artifacts of the Shang Dynasty. During this era, bronze manufacturing technology existed in China in finished form. Artifact artisans were highly skilled, as evidenced by fine patterns, ornaments, and symbolic images on their products. The Wine Container made during the...

“The Great Piece of Turf” by Albrecht Durer

Fig. 1 features Albrecht Dürer’s 1503 work “The Great Piece of Turf.” It is currently located at the Albertina Museum in Vienna. The artwork’s height and width are 40,8cm and 31,5 cm, respectively (Dürer). As for the media and the modes of expression, the work is a gouache and watercolor...

The Mask (Ndemba) in the Context of African Art

Description of Art The Mask (Ndemba) is an art object representing a mask used in the Yaka culture. The culture was widespread in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the mid-20th century (Mask (Ndemba)). Unfortunately, the author of the mask is unknown, but we can be sure that mask belongs...

The “Treasure Chest” Painting by Brent Estabrook

Thesis Statement Since its inception, visual art has been a domain of ideas related to social commentary. These can be found in paintings from all historical categories, from the Romanesque period to Contemporary Art. The global cultural discourse focused on interpreting and analyzing the modern techniques of social commentary like...

The Art of the XIX and XX Centuries

Introduction This paper studies the prominent art styles and artworks of the XIX and XX centuries, focusing on Post-Impressionism, Expressionism, Analytic Cubism, Dada, and Abstract Expressionism. Prominent French, German, and American artists and their unique approaches to these styles are discussed considering the cultural and historical context. The purpose of...

Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother Photo Review

The story of Florence Thompson and her migrant experience touches many people who see the works of a documentary photographer, Dorothea Lange. The themes of depression, despair, and the necessity to protect her family are perfectly observed in several images. In my attempt to evaluate the offered shots, I would...

The Work of Mark Bradford: Discussion

Introduction Mark Bradford, an American visual artist, was born on November 20, 1961. He is a native of Los Angeles who attended the California Institute of the Arts, a private university in California. Bradford’s collaged paintings have been featured in exhibitions all around the world, and he also works with...

Visual Art Analysis: The Mural Entitled Reaching Out

The mural entitled Reaching Out can tell us several stories. It is the story of a turbulent journey through a raging sea. The waves as tall as a two-story building collapsed onto the vessel, leaving no trace of it, with a single survivor reaching out from under the waters in...

Mexicanidad in Frida Kahlo’s Paintings

Introduction Frida Kahlo is renowned for using symbolism in her creative paintings to portray her personal experiences via subliminal and imaginative lenses. In addition to depicting her emotional suffering, adversity, and fragility, Kahlo included societal and political principles in her artwork. Her paintings consistently include surrealism and social realism. The...

Major Contemporary and Modern Art Movements

Art is a dynamic field that encompasses various movements and artists. The modern art movement encompasses creative work created between the 1860s and the 1970s, and it symbolizes the techniques and ideologies of the art created throughout that time period (Russell, 2020). The concept is typically linked with artwork in...

Surrealism vs. Neoplasticism: Features and Differences

Art styles portray different profound philosophies and manners of different times. Understanding the art styles helps people to analyze the artist’s vision, beauty, and feelings expressed through the various colors and subjects of the painting. Although Surrealism and Neoplasticism evolved at the beginning of the 20th century, they have many...

The “Guernica” Painting by Pablo Picasso

Introduction Guernica is a famous painting by the great Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The canvas was painted in 1937, and the picture has a deep symbolic meaning associated with the Spanish Civil War. The main themes of the picture are the bombing of the Spanish city of Guernica, the horrors...

How the Story “My Life in Art” Influenced My Artistic Work

The narrative “My Journey to America” by Sassone, Marco Massimo, and Peter Clothier illustrates how the environment influences and directs the lives of individuals. How we define our careers and how we live our lives are influenced by our peers. After spending time with Silvo Reffredo, who encouraged him to...

The “Crack Is Wack” Painting by Keith Haring

Introduction The paper will consider the painting “Crack is Wack” which Keith Haring created. The artist used catchy slogans to make a quick and effective statement. One of the most prominent examples is “Crack is Wack”, a mural about the crack cocaine epidemic and its consequences in New York City...

Cai Guo-Qiang’s Artistic Decisions

The value of art in human life cannot be measured. Through art, people may explore the history of human progress and societal issues and interests. Individuals can evolve spiritually, become more robust, and achieve balance and harmony in their spiritual needs via the practice of art. Art helps express thoughts...

The Research Devoted to the Dada Art Movement

Artland (n.d.). What is Dadaism, Dada Art, or a Dadaist?  The article “What is Dadaism, Dada Art, or a Dadaist?” published on the platform for contemporary art in a detailed way explains what Dadaism is, its origins, and critical ideas. The major advantage of this article is that it not...

Statue of Liberty and Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Statue of Liberty and, to a lesser degree, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial count among the most famous American monuments. From a purely visual standpoint, the majestic, towering statue of bronze and the modest and reserved memorial with names carved into slabs of black stones may look like a study...

Malevich’s Black Square Analysis

Until 1913, the world of art was limited to objectivity and realistic representations. Some critics say that art reached the deepest point of its downfall during this year. However, in 1913, a new art movement, Suprematism, laid a foundation for the liberation of art, leading to the development of modern...

The Paintings “The Long Rain” by Tanguy and “Palm Sunday” by Stevens

Introduction It is hard to disagree that art is one of the humans’ best and most influential achievements. There is a vast number of forms of art, and people still admire the paintings, sculptures, or musical compositions created hundreds of years ago. Genuinely talented artists created incredibly believable pictures, and...