World Art as a Fun and Practical Tool for Informing People about a Particular Subject - Assignment Example

College World Art Part Using art as a form of educating people or on the existence of a certain aspect of humanity is one of the most practical ways to achieve results. Knowledge and interpretation about a certain issue can be passed on from artists to an audience through art (Stokstad, 117). Enlightenment basically involves the state of identifying with or comprehending all the features related to a particular subject. Different forms of strategies can be used to enlighten a society or an individual but the idea is to ensure the message reaches home and the different reactions are known. An example of a strategy that was used to enlighten people is the art of painting. Through Joseph Wright whose painting was about a bird that was in an air pump struggling to get oxygen, is a perfect example of enlightenment strategies during the time. Industrial revolution came about with scientists inventing different things that would make life easier (Crow 23). Scientists have forever been in the history of each generation so as to keep in check the progress made over time. However, there is a need to enlighten while realizing the different reactions that are raised by individuals. Enlightenment is therefore an area that is taken differently or rather an understanding of one subject differs for people. These reactions are parts of enlightenment process where the realization of something new or existent raises different dramatic emotions from the society. In light of this we view enlightenment from the industrial revolution as a dramatic era where each invention affected people in some way. Some did not care much for invention while some had keen interest in the process and the analysis of art. The science of living things not surviving without oxygen was the scientific part of Wrights work of art but this was never noticed by all because not everyone comprehends art the same way. Enlightenment is thus a personal process. Part 2 Henry Fuseli’s art of painting which was created in 1781, known as the nightmare basically has a woman who seems to be unconscious in bed. The woman lies with one hand on the floor which can be described a way in which people who are having nightmares position themselves. However, there is a beast which is on top of her belly that is sited in what seems to be a comfortable posture that could be tormenting the woman. On the other hand, there is a horse in the background at the side of the bed holding this unconscious woman. The painting was created during the period of romanticism. Henry Fuseli is an Anglo-Swiss artist to which this painting got popularity during the romanticism period. It remains to be his most famous and most important oil painting. The painting signifies the period when Germans were believed to always have nightmares while sleeping hence the concept of a woman lying unconscious. During the time, women were known to have nightmares with beasts having sex with them (Russell 67). The painting had a sexual connotation to it. Despite the critics, Fussel managed to paint more pieces of the same art due to its popularity. The painting was an oil paint of forty by fifty inches. Jean Antoine Houdon is a sculptor form France who managed to give the best sculpture of George Washington. The sculpture was created in 1792 and had the president holding a chance one his right hand while on his left he had a sword and a military cape. His whole attire was a military uniform which had a contemporary feel to the sculpture. Also, he was standing, creating an authoritative theme to the whole art. The sculpture was created after the American revolutionary war which George Washington played a huge role in the course. American revolutionary war was such a big deal for most state governments that they resorted to art to mark the occasion (Lavin 45). This was in the 1780’s a period when every state focused on the accomplishment of America in revolutionary war. The idea to celebrate George Washington followed because he was to become a president at a later time. The political mood at the time was definite that the next president was to Washington and therefore a public sculpture of him was in order. Ideally, the political heroes are celebrated in one way or another and during this time, a sculpture worked well. The sculpture was made out of a Carrara marble with a dimension of height six feet and two inches high. The copy was then made to be put in other public areas though the original was placed in Virginia’s state capital. The governess is a painting by the French artist Jean Simeon Chardin made from oil on canvas in 1739. It is a painting of dimensions forty six by thirty seven and a half centimeters. This artist was known to paint simple still life abut daily encounters of family life especially domestic scenes. His work is simple yet so real and displays feelings that every viewer encounters. Perhaps something that most viewers want is to relate to an artist’s work without so many struggles. This painting has a boy in a home and his toys are spread all over the floor. The painting depicts an everyday occurrence at any home where children litter their toys during play time. The painting depicts the irresponsible nature that boys have while being playful of living a mess and having their guardians question them on their behavior. The governess is seen to what might be a case of telling the boy to be more responsible. During the period of the Dutch golden age, 1665, a painting was made by Rembrandt using an oil paint media. The painting was of dimension one hundred and twenty tow by one hundred and sixty seven centimeters. The painting has a Biblical representation of couples and marriage. The man who is supposedly Isaac is seen in the painting to place his hand on the woman’s breast. The woman represents Rebecca from the Bible. The woman shy off but is also in harmony with the touch from the man. This painting however colorful portrays the importance of married women from the Bible avoiding any sexual relations with the men who are seduced them. And for any man that seduced a married woman, and then the man would be killed. The painting despite its surface meaning shows that women shy off not because they did not want to be seduced but because they had to follow the rules. Perhaps something the modern society is still on about. People avoid doing things majorly because it is against the laws. Part 3 Velazquez’s Las Meninas is a piece of craft that is not only intellectual but has the ultimate aesthetic effect to it. It was created to prove the misconceptions of art as a skill for the not so intellect is wrong (Perl 93). The art provides a platform that shows the artist as a human being who cares about the reputation of his work and other artists of his kind. Ideally, art is known to be for the royal family, people who can afford to purchase it but it is never appreciated in terms of the artists who come up with the concepts and actual skills of painting, sculpting or drawing. The painting features royalty in the manner that has a princess who is in the fore center of the painting being served by other maids who evidently are supposed to serve her. Royalty comes with a lot of differences whereby a palace is inhabited by two different people of the same nation. There are the rich who are the masters, and the poor who are the servants. Evidently from the painting, we see different scenes that can be rather confusing for the viewer where the artist himself is in the painting. He is seen painting with his brush defining the work he does can represent both the parties. This intellectual interpretation is perhaps what Velazquez tries to showcase. The monarchial representation in the painting depicts the struggle that the artist had with the authorities in relation to his work. He had struggled for recognition of his work which at a later date he is appointed by the King as the artist to work on any royal artistry. His efforts finally pay off through the piece of painting which happens to be ten and a half feet inches by nine inches. The representation brings into concept the need for the courts to take responsibility in not recognizing artists. Ideally, the painting despite the concept of royalty, the intellectual aspect strikes the viewers by surprise because the interpretation is far deeper than what is seen on the surface which is a princess being treated accordingly by those under her royalty. Formally, this painting takes a turn on the fact that artists have jobs that need to be protected and recognized by the royal and those in authority. To ensure that art continues to be a craft that is not seen as low key but it should get the respect it requires. Las Meninas shows that the same respect given to the royal, the powerful monarchs must be given all the same to artists. It is humanely possible for people to share equal respect for each other. This is why the painter, Velazquez is seen in the painting, although not at the center, he still is part of human race and humanity must be embraced among all. Part 4 Art is therefore a fun and practical tool to employ while informing people about a particular subject. Through art, conversations are stirred on a specific issue and thus students and the world at large can understand each other through forms of art. (Stokstad, 325) From Velazquez, it is clear that there is so much to learn from his determined efforts to gain recognition even from the rich and mighty. The idea of making the world know one’s worth is important and having an artist work for a royal course is indeed proof that every person can gain recognition from a job well done. Also, embracing humanity by respecting everyone’s line of work an intellect is very crucial. People are different and come from diverse walks of life; it is the respect that we give each other that makes everything equal. An artist is also an intellect who uses his skills and brain to help the world appreciate beauty and while at it, do it intellectually. Work Cited Crow, Thomas E. The Rise of the Sixties: American and European Art in the Era of Dissent. New York, N.Y: Harry N. Abrams, Inc, 1996. Print. Lavin, Irving. World Art: Themes of Unity in Diversity : Acts of the Xxvith International Congress of the History of Art. University Park [Pa.: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1989. Print. Perl, Jed. Art in America, 1945-1970: Writings from the Age of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Minimalism. , 2014. Print. Russell, Stella P. Art in the World. San Francisco: Rinehart Press, 1975. Print. Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael W. Cothren. Art History. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2011. Print. Read More