History of Western Art - Movie Review Example

Degas and The Ballet - Picturing Movement “Degas and the Ballet - Picturing Movement” is a video that reviewsan exhibition on the work of a French artist by the name Edgar Degas. Edgar Degas is described as an artist who was basically obsessed with ballet. The explanation given for this obsession is the fact that ballet enabled him to have a more detailed study on human movement. Edgar Degas later started doing photography. He is described as among the very few impressionists of his time. Looking at Degas’ work you will never fail to notice the way he was able to perfectly picture movement. The picturing was so perfect that they could be used to show motion when quickly viewed. Degas was able to make multiple sketches at every possible angle, making it easier for him to use the picture in the depiction of human motion with specific attention being paid on ballet and related things. Georges Seurat “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” (1884-86) The video is about a painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte that was originally done by Georges Seurat. The painting is described as Seurat’s largest and best painting. He worked on this painting during different campaigns. He began in the year 1884 with a layer of tiny horizontal brush strokes of colors that are complementary. This was followed by the addition of small dots which were also complementary colors. This led to an appearance that resembled solid and luminous forms when viewed from a distance. The painting took him over two years. The painting can be said to be of modern people, but with ancient traits. Suarte highly uses a technique known as pointillism, which distinguishes his work from those done by the impressionists. This technique is known for the use of systematic and scientific methods in painting. There is an easily notable visual transition between the painting’s frame and the interior of the painting. Van Gogh’s “The starry night” This video is a review of Van Gogh’s “The starry night”. The painting is in this video described as a depiction of a longing for the past as it was about country life at a time when most artists would have opted to do paintings on city life. The landscape, especially the sky has its basis on a real nebula. It is believed that the landscape is a presentation of what Van Gogh might have seen during his prison time. The brushwork is so unique and turbulent because part of the canvas that is left bare. The painting shows the contract between the earth’s solidity and the sky. The painting has too much drama for a peaceful night that is depicted. The painting might seem primitive and gloomy at first glance. The painting has massive darkness which is a depiction of size and isolation. Van Gogh is seen as an insanely creative artist who uses unique and unexpected notions and ideas. The symbolist- Edvard Munch Edvard Munch is a Norwegian artist who is well known for his use of symbolism. Paintings done by Edvard Munch are popular because of their ability to use visual aspects to create images with psychological power. This attribute is specifically seen in the way the paintings have the ability to involve viewers psychologically and keep them thinking. He manages thing by creation of paintings that represent the turbulent landscape of the modern world. He can also be described as daring and virtuous. These factors are attributed to the forceful nature of the images developed by Edvard Munch. The themes that are common in his work include love, beauty, peace, death, and sex. Edvard Munch can be described as an artist who was devoted to doing art pertaining to humanity and what it means to be human. This is a question that cannot be answered, but can lead to a number of very interesting themes. Picassos "Guernica" (1937) Picassos "Guernica" is identified as one of his most popular works. This piece of painting is perceived to be more than just a piece of artwork but a political statement. It was a reaction to the Nazi’s tendency of having casual bombings on Basque, a town in Guernica during Spanish Civil War. The painting focuses on the suffering that the bombing caused to innocent civilians. This portrait was at a time used as an antiwar and peace portrait and is being credited for having played a very important role in bringing an end to the Spanish Civil War after it was taken for tours to various parts of the world. Picasso uses discarding of colors so that he can put emphasis on the drums. The colors used in this painting are blue, white and black (Kemp156). The bull can be used to represent the onslaught of fascism. The bull can also depict brutality and darkness that civilians were subjected to during this period. Fernand Légers "Contrast of Forms" (1913) In the video, 1913 is introduced as a very important year for Leger as it is the year he decided to be a legend and not a follower. He developed a series of paints referred to as “the contrast of form” which basically used primary and secondary colors to come up with a painting on converse that had meanings without having to put in many details. This form of painting is figurative and induces viewer’s imagination. The result was some rather calm images that would be easily be mistaken for snapshots. Much of the canvas is left blank so that viewers might be able to picture the work as a painting and not a product of photography. BBC Matisse The video gives more information about the life of Matisse. In the early stages of his career Matisse was known as a painter. However, the video shows a chapel which he designed before his death. In the chapel we get to see some artwork that was done by Matisse including the paintings on the wall about Christ’s agony which is a depiction of suffering. The windows are seen to have a form of art that is a contrast of what is on the wall. In this case it is seen that he does not use painting but instead opt to use light. The artwork can be described as captivating especially given the good choice of colors and the unique patterns (Kemp 101). Matisse can be described as a very creative artist especially because of his ability to move from painting to a form or art that involves light in his late stages of life. Kandinskys "Composition VII" (1913) The video reviews an extremely large painting done by the Russian painter, Wassily Kandinsky.Wassily Kandinsky is described as an artist who used very many abstract titles. In this paint in can be said that he tries to show the connection between color, shape, and taste. Colors can be used to express feelings as per this video. One common characteristic of the painter is that his works are not always easily understood. The video shows the connection between the artist’s work and some music. When the music was played it was clearly evident that it has suddenly become easier to understand the Wassily Kandinsky’s work. The music that is played is uncomfortable,bringing to light the fact that some paints are just meant to cause disruption. For, instance in this case it can be noted that there is painting in different directions and clashing. This is with the aim of making the painting non-influential. Otto Dix, German artist The video tries to look into the career of Otto as an artists pointing out some of his major themes such as war, fashion, and disaster. His ability and popularity is attributed to the fact that he was able to have stylistic changes in his work. Having joined the army, he was a person who had gone through the entire thing that involves war. This is believed to have highly affected his arts because some of his themes are believed to have been shaped by the experience that he had while at war. In most cases he used themes such as sexuality, violence, and ugliness to depict the experience that he went through when at war. He would often paint himself, bringing the notion of a soldier and family man whenever he did so. Work cited Kemp, Martin. The Oxford History of Western Art. Oxford [etc.: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Read More