Impressionism vs Cubism

Impressionism

I chose to study these two types of art because they are so completely opposing. The soft brush strokes, and dabbing of the Impressionist art works are the polar opposite of the sharp edges and clearly delineated lines of Cubism and the difference in subject matter is also extreme. I love when you have two opposing ideals and both have a following, it creates such interest in the pieces. Where Impressionist artists created a mood, a sense of emotion with their pieces, Cubists focused on the logical exploration of space and structure in their paintings, the focus was not so much on what was happening in the picture but on how it was being presented to you. So I will start with two of Claude Monet’s paintings, because I love that some of his works focused on his wife Camille. Actually quite a few of his works involved her but one of the most well known is Woman In a Garden painted in 1867. Monet created a large portion of his art in Paris, a fertile ground for the imagination I understand, and this work was created there as well.

Woman In a Garden 1867

As you can see it is a very good representation of Impressionist art because the choice of colors, almost dream like as well as the soft brush strokes, and slightly rounded dabs are very typical of the style. I love this piece because I can so clearly imagine myself standing behind this woman, relaxed and at peace in this tranquil setting. Monet was quite in love with his wife Camille by all accounts and I think you can see that reflected in how he paints her, almost angelic with her white dress and stately presence.

The next piece by Monet I chose is called Springtime and was painted in 1872 also in Paris. This again focuses on a woman, and it is incredibly beautiful. The piece is not known to have been of Camille but I think it’s a strong possibility. Camille died in 1876 of tuberculosis and I’m sure it must have been a comfort to Monet to have so many pieces to remember her by.

Springtime 1872

If I had to imagine walking through a French garden, looking for a young lady, this is what I would picture. The piece is so incredibly still, like she’s frozen in time there. I love Monet’s ability to capture a perfect moment, and take you there, make you feel what he must have felt looking at his subject. Monet said himself he was incredibly drawn to color and that he spent vast amounts of time on shading and perfecting his technique. Monet passed away in 1926 and it is still possible to tour his home and gardens in Giverny.

Cubism

Cubism is very different from Impressionism in that artists focused on this style of painting were not so concerned with realistic shapes and sizes, and often their paintings looked almost flat. I chose Pablo Picasso and his work Girl With a Mandolin because I clearly enjoy paintings featuring women. I also think having the same subject matter will help illustrate the differences in style quite clearly. Picasso painted this piece in 1910 when he was going through his Synthetic Cubism period.

Girl With a Mandolin 1910

The subject may be a woman but Picasso has chosen to totally deconstruct the image and rebuild it, forcing the viewer to think about what they are looking at and really examine their perspective. Picasso wanted art to be an experience, a change in our view, and something we thought critically about. This attitude greatly influenced art to come for years.

My last piece is more current, meaning it’s from this century and it is by Thomas C. Fedro and of course features a woman! In fact it is called Princess For a Day and was painted in 2006. This piece has all the angularity, bold lines, and change in perspective associated with Cubism but features more color which is something I love!

Princess For a Day 2006

I saw this painting and just fell in love. I felt like I was looking at the Lady of the Lake or another medieval figure but the way Fedro painted the piece feels so modern I’d be happy with it in my living room! You can see how vividly his portrayal captures this princess and she has an almost peaceful expression on her face as well.

All of the artists featured in my comparisons were male, and all of them chose to paint women, and I believe they did them justice. From the Impressionist serenity to the bold Cubism, I’d be happy to be painted by any one of them, or own one of their works.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Monet

http://www.pablopicasso.org/

http://robinurton.com/history/cubism.htm

http://www.ebsqart.com/Art-Galleries/Contemporary-Cubism/43/Princess-For-a-Day-Cubist-15/321818/

Converging Interests

Neoclassics and The Middle Class

In studying the Classical era I learned quite a bit about the power struggles of the upper class as well as the development of a new group, the wealthy middle class. I am choosing to study the middle class specifically because I think that the creation of this group is really what heralded the American Dream. When I picture America I think of an individual working hard, overcoming obstacles and eventually creating a comfortable life. This to me embodies the idea of “middle class” and since this is such a complicated concept I thought showcasing art that was created for and inspired by this group might help my reader understand the connections I have made. The first piece I have chosen is The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David which features Socrates being given the choice between renouncing his belief or drinking poison. The reason I believe this painting was popular with the middle class when it was created in 1787 is because of their search for respectability, and entrance to the upper echelons of society. In order to establish themselves as legitimate members of society even without blue blood, middle class families often showcased pieces featuring Greek and Roman scenes of morality and virtue. Previously only the wealthy nobles could afford these kinds of art, even though their pieces were from antiquity and not “reproductions” as some called the efforts purchased by middle class families. This painting with it’s Greco-Roman theme, realistic figures, and moral message is perfectly representative of the Neoclassical style and was painted in Rome.

The Death of Socrates

I chose a musical selection by Christoph Willibald Gluck called Ezio which was created in 1750 in Prague. If you want to hear the selection I’ve added a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_lYYfeDXs

The reason I specifically chose this piece is because of the drama it creates. The crescendos are perfectly timed to the vocals and really create an emotionality to the piece that I love. Gluck was a popular composer later in his career, when he was producing his operas there were several critics like Handel who did not enjoy them and had no qualms speaking out about it. However it is worth noting that his operas were often played 20 times in a particular city which is quite a feat. People often became bored hearing the same thing over and over and having your piece chosen for repeat performances so many times means either it is well loved or so many people are curious about it they need multiple performances! Either way it’s quite impressive. Gluck spent quite a bit of time at the Hapsburg court, who are as we know famous for their patronage of the arts, and was himself German. I like his music because I don’t speak Italian or French but I feel like I still understand what they are singing due to the emotional range created by the instruments in the background. This is one of the things I look for in classical music since so much of it was in Italian, French, and Spanish.

  

Original Sketch by James Hoban

                           

Drawing by Benjamin Henry Latrobe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Photograph,  1860

Lastly I wanted to choose a sculpture or piece of architecture to really round out my study and so chose one of the Neoclassical Palladian buildings, The White House. Most of the people I’ve spoken to don’t realize that the columns of the White House as well as the classical entrances were inspired by Andrea Palladio an architect from the Late Renaissance. The White House was worked on by many different architects over a long period of time but is credited to James Hoban. Different presidents have added on and altered things during their time in office like garden houses, and extra terraces, as well as entire wings. There are also several conspiracy theorists who believe the White House has secret underground bunkers located throughout the grounds. I’m not sure how much credence I’d give to that idea however.  The balanced look of the building, columns that go all the way to the roof of the building, as well as the choice to make the house white are all reminiscent of the marble temples of the Greek and Roman times. Pierre Charles L’Enfant who originally conceived the idea of a home for the president that would be impressive as well as symbolic was let go by George Washington, some believe for insubordination and since Washington was a military man I can well believe it! Most sources agree however that George Washington was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the creation of what would become a symbol of American democracy, and the echoes of Greek and Roman styles are seen in the building; essentially the entire structure is an echo of the founders of democracy. Again Washington and his compatriots were creators of part of this new class of people, not the aristocracy of Europe but neither the servants, an entirely new breed called the middle class.

The White House, 2014

In conclusion I hope you’ve come to see how the Greek and Roman traditions as well as focus on morality and virtue were emulated by Neoclassical artists, and the part they played in forming homes, art, and music of the time.

Links

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/31.45

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/152567/Jacques-Louis-David/276673/Rise-to-fame-1780-94

http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/stravinsky.php

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/235806/Christoph-Willibald-Gluck

http://www.essential-humanities.net/western-art/architecture/neoclassical-romantic/

http://www.whitehousehistory.org/history/white-house-timelines/architecture-1790s-1840s.html