Post #9

End of the quarter, a look back on what I learned. 

Post #9 

I enjoyed all of the art we went over this quarter, albeit I admit, it was more interesting when we got to the ancient Egypt and ancient roman art; but I'm biased anyway when it comes to those genres of history. It was also fascinating because around the same time that we were getting into the ancient Greek and ancient Roman art periods, my big sister actually went on a cruise throughout Europe and took a ton of pictures of the things that we were looking at. Such as the Pantheon, and the Parthenon, the Colosseum; she got a ton of pictures of things we didn't go over as well, such as the Sistine chapel, the leaning tower of Pisa, and many others that she couldn't tell me exactly what they were since she had forgotten.but that's another story, and I hope to go over them next quarter.

The depth of the emotions in some of the art pieces we went over, especially the ultra realistic marble statues struck a chord in my soul and I truly felt connected to. I think i was drawn to these periods in history, because its around the same time that Christianity came into being; and its always interesting to see and think about the world before it was now. Some of the creations that ancient civilizations came up with in that time period are astounding even today; some even stump architects today on how they were able to create them. (the Pyramids) I hold intelligence to a higher standard than most, and I always find it amusing to seriously contemplate how things were created and built; along with the minds that created them. I also loved how even though I thought I knew a lot about ancient Egyptian culture, and history, I didn't know that the pyramids used to be white with a golden tip. That was the most awe inspiring thing I learned about a culture that I find fascinating. And it will be a piece of knowledge that I can share with many people I talk to about such wonders.

The image of the pyramids of Giza in the morning light, shining with such purity and grace... I cant even begin to describe how awe inspired this image makes me. It also makes me want to go out into the world and see works of amazement in all the cultures... I want to see it all. I think that will be one of my life's goals to do before I settle down into the simple life I want in the future. I would love to see the other structures that the ancient Egyptians were able to create as well as the art and ruins they left behind. There is something fascinating about the same art style surviving and being popular for thousands of years that confuses me. were there no artists who thought outside the 3000 year old box during that time period? if there were, how were they treated in that society? fascinating, fascinating stuff.

Another piece that inspired me to take another look at art and re-evaluate where my art is taking me is this one, the Portrait head of Caracalla. even though it is partially destroyed, we still get a sense of what the artist was going for, with the raw emotion that he displays plainly on his face. I find this refreshing since I've been dealing with lack of emotion in my art, or rather a fear of painting anything with a realistic expressionism to it. The Romans never shy away from displaying such emotions plainly in their art, and that inspires me to care less as to the feelings of my audience and instead paint what comes from my soul. So thank you ancient Romans! Its too bad your society ended up getting so corrupted it destroyed itself! :-D

Week 9 Post #8

Option #2 

Compare and contrast 

Fall of Adam and Eve- The crucifixion of Christ

(Third panel down from the top)

I chose to compare the Fall of Adam and Eve with the Crucifixion of Christ, because these two happenings are not only common knowledge for Christians, but also common knowledge of everyone who has access to civilization. These two images relate to one another more than they differ, as they both share a common theme of change in the Bible.

For example, in the first example we see a depiction of the story of Adam and Eve, which is entirely straight forward. Along with this imagery we can imagine instantly the full story, of Eve being tempted by Satan in the form of a snake, to disobey God and eat from the forbidden fruit tree which would make man like God, with the knowledge of God. This is why Eve is covering herself while offering the fruit to Adam. Since the fruit made her realize she was naked, and thus ashamed of herself. This story is the starting point of man, or rather, the starting point of sin on earth. This is why there is sin in the world today.

In comparison, the story of the crucifixion of Christ is another important story of the Bible; not only because the Son of God came to earth to save us, but because of the erasing of the sin inside of us when we believe in Him, and accept Him. This is an extremely important aspect of the bible because the entire human race was changed the day He rose again. Not only because it introduced Christianity to the world, but because it saved us from sin. Thus in a way, it is the end of sin; not because sin no longer existed after the crucifixion of Christ, but because of the ability to rid ourselves of sin without having to sacrifice something in place of the sin that we commit. Instead Jesus did that for us-which is depicted here.

Both of these images represent something truly important, so it focuses on both aspects without many other distracting details or frills. Jesus is in the direct center on the right, and he is the biggest and most prominent person on that square. Whereas on the left scene of Adam and Eve, the apple is in the center, and even though there are two people in this image, your eye goes directly to that apple. It represents Sin, and because of that, is the most important thing in this image.  The arms of the figures help the eye to follow the apple to Adam, and then back around to Eve in a full rotation of the composition. Looking back on the crucifixion of Christ, there are four figures around Jesus. A guard on the left, testing his corpse to see if he is truly dead, John the Baptist on the left, another guard offering Jesus some sort of liquid, perhaps vinegar (if memory serves me correctly), and the Virgin Mary on the right.

I was also curious about the placement of these panels, because of their importance to Christianity, why they would not be placed at the top. It’s also interesting to see that there were three panels on the left depicting Adam and eve, even though in our modern outlook, we usually just focus on the fall of Adam and Eve instead of the creation of them. But looking further at this composition it seems relevant to point out that these panels are three down from the top, and in the Bible it is reflected that 3 is an important number; mainly because it represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I’ve grown up being taught about God’s 3 forms as being 3 in 1. It makes me wonder, if this was done purposely or by coincidence, since it seems to fit into that assumption.   

All in all, these scenes depict major changes in the world's history, as well as the Bible. Sin being introduced, and Sin being taken away. Big changes, both relating to sin. I doubt that was a coincidence. 

Week 8 Post #7

 Option #1

Option #1: Consider the Bust of Commodus as Hercules (c. 191-92 CE) and

the portrait head of Caracalla (c. 217-230) 

            I believe that both statues evoke a feeling of power, and status. however in the case of the Bust of Commodus as Hercules, he seems to be pushing that idea ahead further than the Portrait head of Caracalla, since Commodus is blatantly comparing his image to the god Hercules, and re-creating himself as the hero of so many tales in that era. I believe it would be comparable in modern times if Barack Obama were to fashion himself into the image of Jesus or even Buddha. He is trying so hard to have the people see him as a deity figure, that he'll replicate it in any way he can. Also, the story of Hercules is well known even to this day, as a hero as strong as a God; fighting his way back into the realm of the Gods. (Mount Olympus) However even if I am recalling the story of Hercules from the Disney movie, the point is the symbolism that he was going for when having his bust made in that form is obvious. Strong, courageous, smart, all in all a great ruler. Also this can be seen in the detailing of the lions skin draped over his head and tied around his shoulders, that he was a strong and wise warrior. In order to have concurred such a feared and revered creature of the area. The amount of detail in the curls of his hair and beard are incredible also. It seems to give him a more youthful and immortal feeling than if they had depicted him balding. Which would be too human and too similar to a common man to work to elevate the people's view's of his superiority.

            In the case of the Portrait head of Caracalla, we don't get as much visual triggers as we do in the first bust, since all that's left of it is the head. The face itself is interesting, its realistic, and is serious. Just the features on their own give the impression of unwavering strength and wisdom. He has very strong eyebrows as well as realistic creases from thinking or being threatening, but I sense no threatening substance from his glance. It seems to me as if both statues have a very wide range of audience, as I assume the story of Hercules was as well known in that era as it is in ours. As well as the Portrait, because it holds a certain tone through his expression that I believe can be read by many different people of many different ages. I like the fact that his hair is more realistic, as well as the fact that he has a light beard, would suggest a youthful first growth of hair. Or the merging into puberty but having the rest of the statue symbolize strength and wit. perhaps he was trying to have people see him as young and wise, to help strengthen the confidence of the people he was "advertising" to. Young yet wise, in order to rule Rome for a long time; yet well, so it wouldn't turn to tyranny.