Philosophy and Visual Art - Assignment Example

Philosophy and Visual Art Philosophy In the epoch making book, “Novum Organum”, Francis Bacon mentioned about four idols or images of his time that were implemented as the innovative instruments for the gathering of knowledge. The idols, Bacon summed up or distinguished them under four heads namely ‘idols of the Tribe’, ‘idols of the Cave’, ‘idols of the Marketplace ‘ and ‘idols of the Theatre’. In his theory, Bacon apprehended and anticipated the psychology that was supposed to get implemented in the years to come.

These idols or their explanations were never treated as symbols or dealt with any perceptions that are supposed to get operated in the paradigm of dual meaning. These idols were treated as an element of fixation. Therefore, to anticipate something modern and making knowledge acceptable and easier to comprehend, it became very evident for Bacon to use a narrative to express these cognitive theories in a lucid way so that it can percolate into the minds and perception of all. On the other hand, Mary Wollstonecraft’s “Pernicious Effects Which Arise from the Unnatural Distinctions Established in the Society” captivates the feminist bent of mind.

It tries to state that men take much effort to humiliate and look down upon the so called second sex i.e. women in society. In order to establish the fact that women are not inferior in intellectual realm or in any way socially inferior than men, Wollstonecraft being a women writer, established her intellectual faculty in the book at full length with her ornate language and critical theories that are beyond the common realm of mundane comprehension (Hall, “The Four Idols of Francis Bacon & The New Instrument of Knowledge”; Wollstonecraft, “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects”).

Notre Dame de Paris or popularly known as Notre Dame Cathedral, made in the year 1163 is considered as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The naturalism of sculptures and incorporation of the stained glass is one of the remarkable architectural influences that brought a great impact on the renaissance art and artistic changes in culture. The sculptors and architecture greatly varies from the earlier works of Roman architecture. The use of flying buttress, colorful gargoyles and individual statues curved out at the exterior of the cathedral was a great innovation and also reformative in the architectural work which was first of its own kind.

The Notre Dame cathedral marks the beginning of the renaissance art but St Peter’s Basilica pertinently evokes the influence of the cultural changes in the late Renaissance period. The construction of the church was initiated in the year 1506 and it was completed by the year 1626. The history of the construction of the church itself hints at the great social and cultural reformation which was taking place at the point of time. Michelangelo and some other prominent artists who were the torch bearers of the renaissance reformative movement during that period laid the establishment of the Basilica Papale and associated it with the work of counter-reformation.

In the light of this reformation, they associated themselves with the papacy as well. The interior of the Basilica is ornate with decorative sculptors, marble reliefs and paintings; the most significant among which is Michelangelo’s Pieta. The dome forms the skyline of the Vatican City as well and the interior of the central figure baldachin, architectured by Gianlorenzo (Vatican City State, “Interior of the Basilica”; Inglis, “Gothic Architecture and a Scholastic: Jean de Jandun's Tractatus de laudibus Parisius (1323)”).

Subject Art Judith Slaying Holofernes is a masterpiece by Italian Baroque artist Artemisia Gentilischi. The painting was accomplished by 1611-12. The painting demonstrates an apocrypha scene from the Book of Judith included in the Old Testament. The painting is about the handing over of Israel from the Assyrian general Holofernes. The painting is remarkable for the explicit fine lines and curves and dark colorful background that well synchronize with the motif of the art which is full of blood, energy and power.

The face of the maid in the painting is delicate but it is almost eclipsed by the powerful fist of Holofernes which again is a very subtle but intelligent description of the women struggle to achieve power and position in the society. On the contrary, the painting Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David is an oil painting on canvas by the famous French artist Jacques Louis David and the painting was accomplished in the year 1787. The background of the painting is light and there are shades and interplay of dual colors at the background demonstrating the effect of the light and shadow beautifully on the walls.

In the painting, each figure has been quite prominent and the lines are perfect to the extent that Plato and Crito can be easily located in the painting (Phillippy, P. B., “Painting Women: Cosmetics, Canvases, And Early Modern Culture”). Works Cited Hall, Manly P. “The Four Idols of Francis Bacon & The New Instrument of Knowledge”. February 27, 2012. Sirbacon, No Date. Inglis, Erik. “Gothic Architecture and a Scholastic: Jean de Jandun's Tractatus de laudibus Parisius (1323)” International Center of Medieval Art 42.1 (2003): 63-85.

Phillippy, Patricia Berrahou. Painting Women: Cosmetics, Canvases, And Early Modern Culture JHU Press, 2006. Vatican City State. “Interior of the Basilica”. February 27, 2012. Services, 2012. Wollstonecraft, Mary. “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects”. February 27, 2012. Constitution, 1792.