Jacob Lawrence and Principals of Design

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) is considered to be the most acclaimed African-American artist of the last century (“Jacob Lawrence Biography”). He grew up in Harlem, New York. Lawrence’s most popular collections are the Migration Series and War Series. With these works, he “brought …to life” the African-American experience by using “blacks...

Chinese Painting in Shi Tao`s “Hua Yulu”

Introduction Working on this assignment I have gotten deeper into the gist of Chinese landscape painting solely on the example of Shitao. The overall analysis of features discussed in his Huayu Lu helps in delineating particular points in the style of painting. Further still it is quite clear to me...

Art and Design, Salvador Dali

The cultural legacy of Salvador Dali continues to be discussed from a variety of different perspectives even today. However, there can be absolutely no doubt as to the highest objective value of his artistic works, which explains why Dali’s paintings are being sold at the auctions for millions of dollars...

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...

Renaissance and Baroque Epochs Analysis

The course of human history and the process of the development of human society may be schematically represented as the stairs, where each stair is a definite historical epoch. Such stairs or stages of the development are the Renaissance and Baroque. If the reasons for choice of these particular epochs...

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci Impact

Vitruvian Man is a very famous and captivating drawing around the world. Its existence was enabled by Leonardo da Vinci around the year 1487 (Vallentin p. 3). The drawing has some accompanying inscription notes founded on Vitruvius Pollio’s work. It portrays a male image in two overlaying arrangements with his...

Renaissance: Da Vinci’s “Comparison of the Arts”

Initial Reaction to the Work The work, which is within the analytical scope of this paper, is the “Comparison of the Arts,” which is the chapter from Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks, translated to English by MacCurdy (1955). Before dwelling upon the profound analysis of the work, it is essential to...

Ana Mendieta’s Views on the Representation of Body in Art: A Critical Review

Introduction For many decades, artists have conveyed their opinions and advocated for their rights through their creations. The artist this paper presents is Ana Mendieta, a Cuban-American woman known for her outstanding installations and performances. One of the major themes her work is related to is the body in art....

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...

Exploring the Artistic Value of Utilitarian Objects

I believe that tools can be considered works of art when approached from two separate perspectives. The first is their aesthetic value. Utilitarian objects may have complex decorations, patterns, markings, various spots, and engravings. In some cases, the aesthetic elements are developed from the use of the tool and could...

Humanistic and Naturalistic Ideas of Art

How did the arts express humanistic and /or naturalistic ideas during the Renaissance? Explain using one example of art. While it is agreeable that the renaissance’s framework was laid by political, social and economic factors, it is also clear that the talent of artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Brunelleschi...

Marxism in “Viva la Vida” Poster Interpretation

Introduction In the poster, a section of members of society is seen oppressing some individuals, by threatening and even eliminating them. The strong have weapons that are used to subjugate and force the weak to obey. Some of the weak members of society are unhealthy, as can be viewed from...

Arnold Newman: Iconic American Photographer’s Journey

Biography The late Arnold Abner Newman was born in the year 1918 in Manhattan. Arnold died in the year 2006 as one of the most successful American photographers. As a young boy, Arnold was raised in the city of Atlanta in New Jersey and Florida. At the age of 16...

Africa’s Visual Representation in Photography

Reflection Landau The chapter written by Landau (2002) discusses photography as a source that provides a visual representation of Africa. In particular, its connection with the colonial administration is explained. The author claims that photographs provided Africans with an opportunity to acknowledge colonialism’s representative encounter. In this way, those images...

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...

Magic of “A Peaceful Retreat” by Thomas Kinkade

Introduction A Peaceful Retreat is the name of an incredible painting by a notable artist, Thomas Kinkade. This man called himself a painter of light because every work of this man accents on the eminent light sources that are usually depicted as houses or heaven’s luminaries. A Peaceful Retreat is...

Artworks Depicting Trade: Insights from Ancient Egypt to the Silk Road

Art is an indispensable part of the culture. Art is not always fine art; it might depict rather common scenes from life, showing phenomena that were important for the everyday life of the society which created it. This is why pieces of art can often be important historical artifacts telling...

Charles Harbutt’s Photography Exhibition: Departures and Arrivals Explored

The exhibition “Charles Harbutt, Departures and Arrivals” tries to reexamine and celebrate the photographic work of this great photojournalist. Harbutt is a successful photojournalist who managed to combine both commerce and art. The exhibition goes further to celebrate the relationship between “the printed page” and photography. On top of that,...

Ancient Art History: From Paleolithic to Ancient Rome

Introduction The artistic history of ancient cultures can be divided into five periods. In particular, one should speak about the Paleolithic period, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Aegean civilization, and Ancient Rome. This paper is aimed at discussing various works that represent these civilizations. Moreover, it is necessary to show how these artifacts...

”A Visit From the Old Mistress” by Winslow Homer

The painting by Winslow Homer called A Visit from the Old Mistress was created about ten years later after the end of the American Civil War. The painting is one of the most famous works of art in the United States and the world in general. It depicted a scene...

Édouard Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère Painting and Its Layered Symbolism

Introduction Édouard Manet has been regarded as a classic yet controversial figure in the history of art. His classical works have been found to contain intentional mistakes with deeper meaning. One such artwork is A Bar at the Folies-Bergère (1881–1882). Painting Description In simple terms, the painting depicts a counter...

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 Role of Art in Commonality: From the Lascaux Cave Horse to Modern Music

The ‘Lascaux Cave Horse’ is an example of early human creativity that responded to the need for commonality. In this painting, the artist depicted an animal that was used by their group of people for transportation and hunting, which showed the spirit of cooperation and belonging. It is difficult to...

Banksy’s Flower Thrower: A Symbol of Peace and Resistance

Description of the Art Object Banksy Flower Thrower is a famous cultural work by the English graffiti artist Banksy. The result is a painted image of a person throwing flowers instead of stones on the walls. At first glance, the image appears contradictory; on the one hand, it highlights a...

The Repatriation Debate of the Parthenon Marbles: Ownership and Cultural Heritage Issues

Introduction Art is a significant part of each country’s history and is regarded as a cultural heritage, which is extremely important for their development. That is why saving historical legacy for each state to recollect in memory of each country’s great past is crucial. However, many incidents happened during the...

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...

Lord Elgin: Saving the Parthenon Marbles

Lord Thomas Elgin, the British negotiator, had his emissaries take bucketloads of antique art from Athens. A significant number of sculptures from the Parthenon, the sanctuary of the divine Athena, which perched on the Acropolis peak in the center of the city, were the crown jewels of this collection. Lord...

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 Medieval and Renaissance Periods

The Middle Ages was a period that lasted from the fifth to the fifteenth century and was marked by a strong religious influence and a feudal system of administration. On the other side, the Renaissance, which lasted from the 14th through the 17th century, was a time of tremendous cultural...

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...

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...

Style and Function in Art: Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring

The work of art I have selected for the discussion is Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, which I have reviewed on the website of Mauritshuis museum. When I saw the painting for the first time, it appeared quite simple, but my interest grew the more I observed Vermeer’s...

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...

“Watson and the Shark” Painting by J. S. Copley

Introduction One of the most well-known paintings of John Singleton Copley was Watson and the Shark. It was created in 1778 and is believed to be inspired by a real-life situation that the artists took from the life of a fourteen-year-old boy named Brook Watson (Copley). This work generated an...

Photography as a Contemporary Art Form

Modern art has no precise definition: it remains an elastic term that can have a variety of meanings. Nevertheless, it is customary to say that the term refers to works created around the period 1870-1970. In this era, photography, in addition to establishing itself as an art form, preserving and...

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...

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Introduction The Pope commissioned Michelangelo 1475-1564 CE, a famed Florentine painter and sculptor, to paint pictures on the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1508. Some of the finest Renaissance artists had already adorned the chapel’s walls. Michelangelo, on the other hand, would outperform them all for four years with his...

Homai Vyarawalla’s Photography Career

Introduction Homai Hathiram was born to a Parsi family in Navsari, a city located in the modern-day Indian state of Gujarat, on December 9th, 1913. At the age of 14, she met a young freelancer photographer Maneckshaw Vyarawalla at the railway station and instantly fell in love (Jha). Homai’s love...

Visual Analysis of Roden’s “The Thinker” Sculpture

A rather canonic and historically important art sculpture is placed in the Roden’s Museum in Paris. The statue that will be discussed is The Thinker by August Roden in the genre of Realism, created in 1881. The composition represents a man in a deep and intense process of thinking, encompassing...

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...

Art and Culture in the 21st Century

Born in Britain with Nigerian roots and raised between London and Lagos, Yinka Shonibare manifests a mixed heritage through artwork. In addition, his artistry prowess signifies a person living in two worlds with a global perception of issues such as nationalism, politics, and belonging. His work not only draws one’s...

Antony Gormley Answers: What Is Art?

The story of Antony Gormley, a British sculptor, contributes to my understanding of art and its importance in the modern world. When he was a child, he took a half-hour rest after his lunch, which helped him think about the phenomenon of the human body as a space or a...

Hendrick Avercamp, the ‘Mute of Kampen’ Artist

Known as the ‘Mute of Kampen,’ Hendrick Avercamp was a non-verbal artist of the late sixteenth-early seventeenth century who specialised in writing winter scenes. His depictions of the Dutch winter have been highly appraised by patriots because they realistically depicted the daily living of the newly-created Republic of the United...

Art and Humanities as Part of Human Experience

The process of making creative works, participating in them, or examining them enriches the lives of people, impacting an individual’s perception of self and the world around them. The videos and the article discussed as a part of this assignment are all used to highlight the role arts play in...

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...

Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” Critique

Description Edvard Munch created the iconic picture titled “The Scream” in 1893. The author wrote that he gained inspiration during his walk with friends in Oslo. While he was out for a walk at sunset, the light from the setting sun painted the clouds blood red. It created such a...

“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...

Discussion of the Work of Arthur Lessac

Introduction History knows hundreds of gifted people who contributed to the development of theater. One of the famous ones is Arthur Lessac, a legend among those who do not see voice as a regular tool to deliver information. Arthur is a renowned voice teacher, movement instructor, speech therapist, creator of...

Hybridity in Colonial Art: African Nations or Former European Colonies

Former colonies of different nations, especially those where the colonizing country never established a strong presence of its natives, tend to demonstrate a blending of cultures. Their original residents retain their art and traditions, though they may decline with time, and the colonizers bring their practices with them. By the...

Religion in Akhenaten’s Hymn to the Sun

Introduction ‘Hymn to the Sun’ is not only an outstanding poetic creation but also a glimpse at the history and times of ancient civilizations. It shows how people viewed their lives and God, honoring it and explaining a representation of all that lives. The cultism of the Sun was a...

Tattoos Should Be Considered Fine Art

Tattooing has existed as a form of visual art for centuries, reflecting unique human stories on their bodies. Indeed, ancient skeletons painted with ochre suggest that it was one of the first forms of art (Jones). Tattoos are created by placing ink to the deeper skin layers using needles to...

Comparison of Eastern and Western Landscape Art

Eastern, specifically Chinese and Japanese, and western art cultures significantly differ, portraying the world differently through paintings. While Western artists depict the world from a central viewpoint and focus on the most important objects in a scene, Chinese artists in their paintings primarily focus on background detail. Such comparison will...

Verism, Classicism and Individualism in Roman Portrait Sculptures

The Roman civilization is the best known of all the civilizations of the ancient world. The Romans have left a vast literary legacy that allows one to trace the history of ancient Rome in an abundance of detail that never ceases to amaze him. The outstanding achievement of the fine...

Introduction to Modern Art: Stylistics

What is Stylistic Evidence? To examine a masterpiece, historians may use specific methodologies on particular art’s features basis. Stylistic evidence is one of the approaches to recognize the age of an example of art. It applies to a distinctive way of artifact production that may be common to a certain...

Theatrical Style in the “Oedipus Tyrannus” Production

Theatrical styles used by Tyrone Guthrie Oedipus Tyrannus was a playwork done and produced by Tyrone Guthrie in the late 1950s. The play is about the Greek tragedy with a clear focus on the Greek text and drama. It was done in mime with several choruses performed to introduce actors...

Local Color Realism: Twain vs. Jewett

Local color realism is a writing style that is derived from the presentation of the characteristics and features inherent to a specific place and its inhabitants. Both Mark Twain and Sarah Orne Jewett created regionalist works. The role of the narrator is particularly relevant in such a context because they...

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...

Van Gogh’s Art Appreciation: Starry Night

Art has always been one of the most complex subjects of human perception due to the multiplicity of concepts encoded in a single detail of an artwork. Some researchers believe that the idea embedded in the painting by the author should be considered by the recipient before the appreciation for...

Derain’s “Large Bathers” and Matisse’s “Pink Nude”

The given comparative analysis of art works will focus on Andre Derain’s Large Bathers and Henri Matisse’s Pink Nude. The painting Large Bathers presents and depicts a less sexualized form of nudity. In order to conduct a thorough analysis, one needs to take into account a number of parameters of...

The Mystery of the Mona Lisa: Who Was the Woman Behind the Painting?

Introduction Is there a painting that has received wider publicity and acclaim than Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa? I do not think so. Other than the masterful artistry that went into its making, the Mona Lisa has an intriguing past that makes it all the more interesting. The Mona Lisa...

The Social Aspects Affecting Faith Ringgold’s Art

Introduction In the words of a great artist, “You can’t sit around and wait for somebody to say who you are. You need to write it and paint it and do it” (Ringgold). Faith Ringgold is one of the most well-known representatives of the modern African American creative community. Her...

Visual Analysis – Editorial Cartoon

The student debt crisis raises an increasing concern in different segments of the USA society mainly because it places the enormous financial burden on both a distinct individual and the USA budget. The fierce debates primarily revolve around effective solutions on how to repay or reduce the debt and make...

“Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo

Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam is a renaissance era work depicting the Judeo-Christion God creating the first human. It is a part of a larger composition of paintings on the same ceiling. Unlike many conventional oil paintings on canvas, the Creation of Adam was developed directly on the plaster ceiling of...

Art and Society: The Medieval Art

At all historical stages of development, art performed a number of ideological and educational functions. Society forms a “social order” in relation to art, which expresses the tastes and interests of various social segments. Art makes an undeniable contribution to the development and formation of the social system. Its influence...

Photography Impacts on Cultural Identity of Native Americans in America

Introduction The photos of Native Americans often turn out to be disadvantageous to the appearance of the indigenous Americans, especially in this era of photography. The delineations often propagate undesirable stereotypes and characters about them. Numerous elements of their beliefs, including the private devout rituals, emanated from the photographs. Hitherto,...

The Play “A Doll’s House”: Summary and Analysis

Introduction The play consists of three acts where the first act is an introduction to the event, the second act is an inclining of the affair by making it tenser, and the last act is a culmination of everything with finding the solution and answers. The play is focused on...

Daphne Odjig Paintings: Art and Style

Introduction The problems of indigenous people in the context of the ethnic revival process activation, the spread of the ideas of multiculturalism as an integral characteristic of a modern legal state are gaining increasing political importance. In this regard, the experience of a country such as Canada, due to some...

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...

Opera in 19th Century

Opera in America’s past often conjures up old-fashioned, Victorian images of ample divas poised in extravagant settings. This larger than life musical genre elicits memories of a Tristan and Isolde singing their glorious love duet but too fat to embrace convincingly; an Aida richly costumed despite her slave status; foreign,...

Jackson Pollock: Number 1, 1949

Defining art of Pollock can be one of the most difficult yet enjoyable tasks that any person can ever undertake. There are so many factors to consider and so many different methods of artistic thoughts. Some say that art is an expression, but not everyone agrees that an expression is...

Piet Mondrian. Works Comparison From Naturalistic to Neo-Plastic

Art is an essential part of people’s life. Art relaxes and fills our souls with feelings of beauty and peace. There are a lot of artists whose masterpieces people have been admiring for many years and continue to admire now. Artist is a part of his painting. We may see...

Influential Leonardo and His Significant Contributions

It may seem strange to look to someone so far back in history as a historical figure with the ability to influence others still. Still, the formation of Leonardo da Vinci continues to inspire me. He lived during a time in which there was a renewed focus on the symbolism...

The Works of Baroque Period

Abstract Baroque period is distinguished by the depiction of space and movement where expression was of great importance. Exaggeration and luxury are the major distinctions of that period that were revealed in painting as well. However, the Italian Painting of the early period illustrated the religious theme where an emotional...

Art History: Italian and American Paintings

Introduction Art history is examination of art objects, the process of their development and the description of their stylistic peculiarities such as design, look and genre. This branch covers study of masterpieces all around the world. Artists are ‘makers’ of art who embody the feelings and emotions of the environment...

Riots & Premiers of “Ubu Roi” & “The Rite of Spring”

Introduction Two major premiers which have been observed in Paris in 1896 and 1913 caused real outburst of emotions. “Ubu Roi” by Alfred Jarry and “The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky are considered to be the greatest performances having been remembered in the history of theatre. The paper is...

The Biography of Diane Arbus

Introduction Diane Arbus was a US based photographer who used still photography, essentially black and white to bring out the diversity and travesty of life. Her subjects were ordinary citizens, fringe society members such as prostitutes, dwarfs, transvestites and other people who did not exactly keep to the mainstream society....

“Close” by Martin Stranka and “Frenemies” by Lara Zankoul Analysis

“Close” by Martin Stranka The process of art creation is complicated due to the search for exciting ideas for a message an artist can convey. The present works of well-known photographers inspire other people to create pieces of art to show their perception of the original idea. Philosophical concepts are the...

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...

The Duel After the Masquerade: Formal Analysis

Introduction The formal analysis represents a form of artistic exploration that requires a viewer to look at a piece of art and try to understand what the author tried to convey. Therefore, there is no unified way in which things can be interpreted; rather, the observer will present information based...

Perez Art Museum Visitation

The Most Beautiful Object in the Museum For me, the most impressive object in Perez Art Museum, Miami, is the painting “Oráculo” created by Tomás Esson. This artist comes from Cuba. This work of art attracted me because of its bright colors and interesting elements. The artist has depicted a...

“The Scream” the Painting by Edvard Munch

Introduction Der Schrei der Natur, universally known as The Scream, is an oil painting by Edvard Munch. The Norwegian artist painted The Scream in 1893 as part of the cycle The Frieze of Life—A Poem about Life, Love, and Death, where he represented the wheel of life from a partially...

Photography: Hobby of Millions Unique for Everyone

Numerous breakthroughs in technology have allowed people to live better, travel faster, and experience more genuinely. The art of photography has become a hobby and a profession for millions of people all over the world, allowing them to capture unique moments, share their images, and inspire others. With a smartphone...

Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” Painting

Introduction The Starry Night is a recognized masterpiece by the prominent Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. This painting has influenced many works of art in the 20th century as well as some modern artists. In this paper, after a short outline of The Starry Night, I present my own painting...

Visual Art Creation and Reflection

Introduction The inspiration that comes from observing works of art is the driving force that stimulates creativity and allows one to better understand the nature of the human thought. In order to express an idea, people often resort to visual images that can awaken different emotions and feelings. The aim...

Why No Great Women Artists? Exploring Social Forces

Introduction The question of why there have been no great women artists has been explored from multiple perspectives. While some begin giving examples of multiple women artists that have had some impact, others point the finger at the patriarchy and cite instances when women were oppressed. In her article on...

Ancient Greek Art: Influence on Sculpture and Architecture

There is no doubt that Ancient Greeks can be regarded as one of the groups which have made the most significant contributions to the development of different types of art. Speaking about the particular spheres which have been influenced by inventions made by Ancient Greeks, it is necessary to list...

Media in “V for Vendetta” Graphic Novel by Moore

“V for Vendetta” is a comic book that features scenes that were imagined in the 1980s. The book was written by Allan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. It was set in the futuristic United Kingdom. The book chronicles the actions of a masked revolutionary who calls himself “V.” This...

Pablo Picasso’s Biography

Introduction Pablo Picasso is a well-renowned artist from the early 1900s. He was born on October 25 1881, in Malaga, Spain, where he learned and went to college. Through his father, Don Jose Ruiz Blasco, Pablo Picasso learned new skills and got exposure since his father would take on the...

Baroque Art: Judith Beheading Holofernes & More

Judith Beheading Holofernes The first work of art to be analyzed in this paper is called “Judith Beheading Holofernes”. It is an oil painting on canvas, which belongs to Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian artist, who created this painting in 1620. It depicts a scene from the Old Testament when an...

Photography and Paintings: Depicting the Truth

It is a common saying, “Believing is seeing”. We believe in what we see. Photographs are the same as what we see. Before photography being invented, people used to make paintings of incidents. Photography has given the world a new insight. Alfred Stieglitz is considered to be the “Father” of...

“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...

Renaissance Art Analysis: Significance and Contrasts

The first work of art to be analyzed in this paper is the “Head of the Virgin in Three-Quarter View Facing Right” by Leonardo da Vinci. The very first thing to define in the work is what kind of art it belongs to. It can be said that the painting...

Sculpture History: Hellenistic, Greek, and Roman Styles Evolution and Characteristics

Identify the stylistic category to which each work belongs (example: Archaic Greek, Classical Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, etc.). Explain in your own words why each work is exemplary of this category. Just as the master works of painters change through each generation as new styles and techniques are adopted so too...

Ancient Egypt: Head of Colossal Statue of Ramesses II

Formal analysis The head of a Colossal Statue of Ramses II is a bust of Pharaoh Ramses II, one of the most successful kings of the ancient Egyptians. It is one of the series of colossal objects that were used to decorate the front part of several rectangular pillars making...

Analyzing Women in Art: Matisse vs. Lichtenstein

Introduction Women have been the focus of artists since pre-history. A close analysis of the painting can provide insight into the way the public and the author perceived women at the time. This paper will analyze two paintings representing young women performing leisurely activities, a compare and contrast approach will...

Picasso, Primitivism, and Anticolonialism by Leighten

Synopsis: Leighten Picasso and other artists of prewar France were fascinated with the cultural and political issues of Africa, which was reflected in their art. Primitivism that was used to portray various social issues and excerpts from the everyday life of African countries could serve not only as an art...

“Blue Horses” by Marc Franz

Marc Franz was an outstanding representative of German expressionism. He created “Blue Horses” in 1911 (“The large blue,” n.d.). The unique style of this work inspires artists throughout the world. The specific atmosphere of “Blue Horses” motivated me to create a painting “Love of a Companion.” The purpose of this...

“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...

Barriers to Understanding in Art

Introduction Although to indulge in an artistic experience, one may need to use not only vision but also other senses, possibly all five, how people see an art piece usually becomes the defining factor in their further evaluation and impression thereof. In his article “Ways of Seeing,” John Berger addresses...

Art and Community Participation and Interaction

Introduction Artists supersede the adage that your reward is what you spend your money to purchase. Artists remain underfed and cities are losing their ballet, opera, and other artistic works to crows that pick up cultural remnants. A contribution to creativity in art is the evolution towards contemporary art (Markusen...

Artemisia Gentileschi’s Paintings as Allegory

Introduction In the patriarchal society of the 17th century, art like many other fields was dominated by men. History does not present many examples of female artists, but in 1970, an Italian woman by the name of Artemisia Gentileschi was recognized as a progressive figure in the artistic movement of...

Paintings: The Baptism of Christ and Christ and the Adulteress

The two artworks representing the image of Christ I have chosen for my paper are (in the order of the pictures): (a) “The Baptism of Christ” by master of the Life of Saint John the Artist (National Gallery of Art, Washington), and (b) “Christ and the Adulteress” by Lorenzo Lotto...

Documentaries: How Art Made the World: More Human than Human

Introduction The BBC documentary “How Art Made the World: More Human than Human” explains why human beings form close associations with their cultures. God created human beings in the same manner. This common human identity does not prevent individuals from embracing various cultural practices. These unique and distinct cultures always...

“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...

Las Meninas by Velázquez: Baroque Masterpiece and Innovative Portraiture

Description of the Painting Las Meninas, one of the Spanish Baroque painter Diego Velázquez’s most famous works, is a masterpiece of Western art history. Painted in 1656, this complex work falls under Baroque art due to its intense use of light and shadow, realistic depiction of textures and materials, and...

Unraveling the Enigma of Warhol’s Factory: Art, Excess, and Celebrity Obsession

Introduction The Factory, Andy Warhol’s studio, is history’s most widely recognized and infamous artist workspace. It was the scene of all kinds of depravity night after night, as Warhol worked in the background on his famous screen prints (Howie). The name ‘The Factory’ was indeed created by Warhol’s visitors (Howie)....

The Laramie Project: A Portrait of Community Response to Tragedy

Summary Act I Using interviews from the Tectonic Theater Project, Moises Kaufman’s The Laramie Project presents a striking portrait of Laramie, Wyoming, revealing the town’s spirit following Matthew Shepard’s violent attack. The act highlights the town’s long-standing ties to the land, which also highlights the railroad’s impact on the town’s...

Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss”: Love, Passion, and the Golden Era of Art

The Artist’s Background Gustav Klimt was an Austrian painter born in 1862 in Vienna who, in a certain way, revolutionized the way love and sexuality can be represented in art. Klimt was among the most progressive artists of the time: in 1897, he and other like-minded creators established the “Vienna...

Analysis of the Buddhist Triad Sculpture at Norton Simon Museum

Introduction The Buddhist Triad featuring Maitreya, Shakyamuni, and Avalokiteshvara at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California, is analyzed. The 1000 CE Bihar, Gaya (?) artwork creates a peaceful and meditative environment that draws the visitor into Buddhism and its profound meaning. When entering the museum, the object’s simplicity and...

Play Romeo and Juliet in Theater Analysis

Introduction Theater is a unique phenomenon that emerged in ancient times and remains popular today. Among various forms of art, it is one of the most attractive to viewers because of the costumes, decorations, and live performances. Actors use the play written by a certain author and present it to...

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Woodblock Print by Hokusai

Visual Form It is important to note that “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” belongs to the genre of ukiyo-e. A pattern in the picture is a pyramidal wave that appeared at the mouth of Kanagawa. It is interesting to mention that the artist created the bends of the wave and...

Tattooing Art in Ancient and Modern Times

Nowadays, people still have ambiguous opinions about tattoos – some consider images on one’s body a form of art, while others find it self-destruction. Nevertheless, one cannot defy the connection between ancient tattooing art and contemporary body art. Numerous early civilizations used the opportunity to cover the body with images...

Dorothea Lange: Style, Purpose, and Contributions

One of the most influential photographers of the century, Dorothea Lange has left a significant legacy. She is considered to be a documentary photographer due to the interest and passion she has for capturing the real emotions of people. She is mostly known for her photographs of the Depression Era,...

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...

Feminist Ideas of Frida Kahlo and Amrita Sher-Gil

Feminist ideas have significantly varied throughout their history due to differences in socio-cultural experience and individual capacities. Western currents are usually more expressed than Eastern ones since the development of civilization has followed different paths. Feminist narratives are found in painting, and the representatives of these currents are the artists...

The Representational Aspect of Art

Introduction Representational art encompasses all drawings that symbolize something that already exists in real life. The displays portray things with significant visual similarities to the actual world; they depict real-life subjects or objects, even though some forms can be moving towards abstraction. Representational art was embodied by the initial artworks...

Mexico: Famous Artistic Contributions

Introduction Mexico has a plethora of talents who have contributed to global art. The Mexican artists have established genres in music and art that are cherished internationally. In this discussion, the most well-recognized Mexican artists who worked since the 1920s and until modern times will be discussed. However, there are...

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...

Christian Boltanski in History of Art

Christian Boltanski is one of the most famous self-taught creators globally, originally from France and Paris. Christian was engaged in various types of art, starting with painting and sculpture in the classical sense and ending with photography and cinematography. He directly touched on the symbolic themes of the passage of...

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...

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt Van Rijn

The painting above is an artwork by renowned artist Rembrandt Van Rijn of the Baroque art group. The painting captures an emotional bitter-sweet reunion characterized by drama and grandeur. The two individuals in the picture display the most emotions considering their posture. The son, who is on his knees, head...

Between World Wars: Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dali

Marcel Duchamp was a French artist who combined talent and everyday objects to produce meaningful art and paintings. Duchamp broke down the difference between everyday objects and art. His father was a notary, and his older brother, Jacques Villon, was a painter. Fauvism and Matisse greatly influenced Duchamp’s earlier paintings,...

Beethoven’s Influence on Later Artists

Introduction Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the greatest German composers of the 19th century. Polyphony, which J.S.Bach and his contemporaries represented, was replaced by a bias towards homophony, mainly represented by Haydn and Mozart’s greatest symphonists. They created a new form that combines elements of harmony and counterpoint. Beethoven...

Jackson Pollock in History of Art

Jackson Pollock is a world-famous conceptual artist from the US. Jackson created abstract expressionism, a trend in the last century’s art, which shifted the world’s attention from European classics to American innovation. He spread the canvas on the floor and moved around it, pouring and spraying paint with brushes and...

Stevie Wonder: The Artist’s Story

Introduction An in-depth study of musical theory is impossible without a conjugate study of the biographies and creative paths of eminent artists in a particular field. It is paramount to recognize that the history of music is not objective but rather is written by the musicians and artists who make...

Buonarroti’s Moses from the Tomb of Pope Julius II

Context The statue of Moses was created by Michelangelo Buonarotti approximately in 1513-1515. Michelangelo’s previous work, David, quickly gained recognition among the public (Zirpolo 160). Following these events, in 1505, Pope Julius II commissioned the artist to come to Rome to build a tomb (Fenichel 153). Moses was planned to...

World of Art: Culture of Regions of the World

Summary The following is an exhibition of objects of art from cultures from five select regions in the world: Oceania, Africa, Japan, China, and India. These objects are representative of the cultures and highlight significant and essential ideas of each culture, giving a glimpse into their ways of life, cultural...

Aesthetics in African and African American Art

Introduction African American culture has greatly been influenced by African artistic traditions, which mainly manifest in visual art. The visual art that has become the definition of African American culture reflects its origin in native Africans, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Visual arts that transcend African culture include paintings, sculptures, textiles,...

Theater: An Opportunity to Appreciate the Transience of Time

Theater provides an opportunity to appreciate the transience of time by revealing the eternity of art as part of cultural heritage. “Prologue in the Theater” discusses the purpose of art between a theater director, a poet, and an actor. The theater director sees art as income, the poet romanticizes theater,...

The Figure of David in Renaissance Art

An Overview of David’s Story One of the most well-known Old Testament stories in modern culture is the battle of David and Goliath. According to the Old Testament, the Philistines decided to fight the Israelites (Desnitsky, 2019). The Israeli army was led by Saul, and David’s older brothers were among...

Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear

The selected painting is the work of Vincent Van Gogh, called Self-portrait with bandaged ear, painted in 2-D and belonging to the social category as it reflects the artist’s inner state. Van Gogh always strove to paint himself and everything surrounding him without embellishment, conveying life as he saw and...

“Christ Crowned With Thorns” and “The Luncheon on the Grass”: Composition

Introduction Artists can use pictorial representations to summarize the themes within a particular historical era, and Matthias Stom and Édouard Manet are no exceptions. Christ Crowned with Thorns is an oil on canvas painting by Storm approximately between 1633 and 1639. It is about 110cm by 161cm and is currently...

Symbolism of Starry Night

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists who expanded the boundaries of people’s understanding of art. Van Gogh was born in 1853 in Zundert to a family of a pastor. This fact could explain the artists’ life-long interest in religion (“Vincent Van Gogh: Starry Night,” n. d.)....

“Mona Lisa” and “Starry Night” as Manifests of Sickness

The first artifact that I chose is “Mona Lisa” by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. Many believe that this masterpiece has been painted between 1503 and 1506 in the Italian Renaissance period. Now, this artifact is part of the permanent collection of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The second painting...

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...

The Venus of Willendorf: The Significance

The value of the Venus of Willendorf is its aesthetic component. The creation of this work of art demonstrates to modern people that their ancestors were concerned about beauty issues (Zygmont, n.d.). It has no practical application, and the theory that it could be used for religious purposes can be...

“An Ofrenda for Dolores Del Rio” Artwork Analysis

The Chicano Movement gave rise to a Chicano cultural identity with which many Mexican Americans associate themselves to this date. It constitutes a unique mixture of both American and Mexican cultural aspects which shape its basis. The Chicano culture is the result of the American Mexicans’ experiences and their ability...

The Design Principles on Harmony and Variety: “Mother and Child 2”

Any painting can be compared to a puzzle where a variety of elements, including colors, geometrical forms, texture, come together to create a holistic composition and give it interest. Simultaneously, harmony is the principle of design in which these elements are pleasantly combined and arranged. It always reflects the sublime...

Italian Futurism of 1909-1944 and Its Influences

Introduction Futurism refers to a social and artistic movement that Marinetti established in Italy in 1909 and which lasted to 1944. The movement championed machine age advancements and urban environment significance, propelling people in a progressive mindset. It advocated for science and technology with its mantra seeking to provide answers...

Jackson Pollock’s Lavender Mist and Mark Rothko’s Rust and Blue Comparison

Number 1 (Lavender Mist) is a masterpiece created by an abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock in 1950. Number 61 (Rust and Blue) was created by the artist Mark Rothko who also belonged to the abstract expressionism art movement. The most apparent common feature of these two pictures is that both...

The Paintings of Van Gogh and George Seurat: Comparative Analysis

Discussion of contrasts evident in artworks from various ages and art movements is an essential part of art investigations. Understanding the differences between works created and analyzing the historical context of the era in question can significantly improve the historians’ knowledge regarding specific artistic approaches (Roslak, 2017). In this work,...

The Small Morning Painting by Runge

Introduction The small morning art piece was created by Phillip Otto Runge in 1808, using the Romanticism style. In the 19th Century German mystical Jacob Boehme, Runge believed that flowers might symbolize diverse human states. He described that their cycle from budding to death, and response to light, expresses God’s...

“Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni” and “Mona Lisa” Paintings

Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni, created in 1488, was not drawn from real life. According to the existing versions, the starting material for the painting was a medal with a young woman’s profile, made especially for the marriage of Giovanna Della Albizzi to Lorenzo Tornabuoni. The author of the canvas is...