Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism - Assignment Example

Neo icism and Romanticism to Realism and Impressionism in Europe and the United s This paper is an examination and discussion of various artists and their art styles, the depiction of different subject matter, the emphasis of art on everyday life and historical events, and the ability to see, define and express what is most interesting, from an art viewer’s point of view. Neoclassicism and Romanticism to Realism and Impressionism in Europe and The United States When Eugene Delacroix painted “Scenes from the Massacre”, he placed his victims center canvas, as well, and depicted them in the strongest light. The viewer’s eye is naturally drawn to the images of fallen bodies sprawled across the forefront of the canvas, while the soldiers are delegated to the side and the background in shadows. In Goya’s work, “Third of May”, the victims are placed in the center of the canvas, and flooded with piercing white light that jumps out at the viewer. The victims are surrounded in blood red, yellow ochre and highlighting white, while the soldiers remain faceless and shrouded in subdued colors of black and grey. Artistic statements that go against the conservative grain or the status quo relating to religion, sexual and gender rights, politics, war, erotica, or portrayals of violence usually stand a good chance of offending some segment of society that wants to silence any voice that opposes them. The most memorable artist of late to embody these threats is Robert Mapplethorpe. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946, Mapplethorpe had a very broad portfolio of work, but it was his images of erotica and sexual expression that caused controversy and legal scandal in the United States and abroad in England. Mapplethorpe’s graphic images were included in an exhibit that had been funded by the National Endowment For The Arts, which caused an uproar to many who claimed that taxpayer money was being used to fund potentially obscene and perverse material. Mapplethorpe’s images of defecation, alternative sexual preferences, and racially provocative photographs became the center of many legally heated discussions on first amendment rights and the freedom of speech and expression. Many decades earlier, another innovative artist by the name of Edouard Degas, also caused a public outcry, when he displayed his statue of “Little Dancer of fourteen Years” for the first time. Degas chose to defy the elitist attitude toward artistic form and structure, and created a statue that was fluid and lifelike. Degas’ statue also defied the physical features that were thought to be beautiful at the time, with many members of the viewing public commenting that he had deliberately given the statue the face of a monkey. Today, the statue is revered as a beloved and important piece of artwork. The need for change has always been at the center of art movements, whether it was a need for change in artistic form and subject matter, or change in other areas such as politics, social/economic issues, or change in personal rights of self expression. Artists have, and continue, to defy status quo by refusing to stand still or be silenced. Artists such as Alexander Calder, Paul Klee, Marsden Hatley, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollack became recognizable figures of abstract art, whose purpose was found in its form and use of color and textiles, instead of an attempt to represent an identifiable object. Some abstract artists created bold color blocks on canvas, while others, like Pollack, dripped paint on a canvas that was lying on the floor. In the early 1960,s another form of expression known as Pop Art came into existence. Pop artists created their works in response to the growing idea of using images of whatever and whoever was popular and easily recognizable in current society. Simple items such as soup cans, appliances, and the peace sign, along with famous celebrities and politicians all became iconic images over the years of that which was supposedly easy to relate to. I am an avid admirer of photography, and would love to collect originals works by Savannah, Georgia photographer, Jack Leigh. I first became aware of his work via the book, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, which later became a film. Jack’s photograph of “The Little Bird Girl” graced the cover of the book, and instantly became a recognized image, and also introduced me to Leigh’s body of work. Leigh’s photos capture American southern life in a graceful, reminiscent way, while displaying a light that seems to come from a secret inner place. Another artist whose works I would love to collect is Gustav Klimt. His paintings, such as “The Kiss”, “Water Serpents”, and “Friends” display a bold expression of eroticism and a true love of color. I actively draw inspiration from the forms, lines, colors, and textures of my surroundings. I am frequently drawn to the way light falls on different architectural structures, various geometric patterns through out the city, patterns in nature, and new visual encounters through out my travels. All of these influence my artistic growth on a daily basis. If I were to judge an exhibition of oil paintings, my third choice would be “Liberty Leading the People” by Delacroix. The bold flash of red placed center top of the canvas gives the viewer’s eye a focal point or a resting place from all the chaos that is taking place in the painting; almost too much action to comprehend in a single viewing. Still, Delacroix’s use of line, form and illuminating whites amidst muted colors cannot be ignored. My second choice would be “Moulin de la Galette”, by Renoir, who also included a lot of activity in his painting, but did so by painting groups of people engaging in activities that moves the eye from the forefront of the canvas all the way to the back. Renoir also kept a controlled color palette, making sure that no one color dominated the scene. My choice for first place would go to “Olympia”, by Manet. Manet’s choice to paint a reclining nude in subdued colors that made the woman appear fleshier, coupled with the bold move to allow her to make eye contact with the viewer, caused great controversy, and inspired many of his contemporaries to rally to his cause, thus giving birth to a new style of painting. References Text Information Entry Ibid 995 Ibid 996 Ibid 999 Ibid 1028 Ibid 1033 Read More