Blog 3 Art1B

I think the Renaissance period in Florence Italy had to be a very exciting time to be alive. The emerging merchant culture seemed to allow for greater experimentation artistically. There were people willing to take things to the limit to overcome and advance art, and particularly architecture, painting is to follow in the next segment. Advancement seems to take a single mindedness that probably leaves behind what might be normally considered a balanced approach to life. I refer to Paolo Uccello who advanced the understanding of perspective reportedly at the expense of most everything else. We owe a debt of gratitude to those types of pioneers. Also the merchant class such as Giovanni Rucellai who stated he supported the arts "because they serve the glory of God, the honor of the city and the commemoration of myself". Humility wouldn't have accomplished as much during this period. The extreme, confident, even obsessed personality has re lit the culture and it is moving forward. I included this photo for simple viewing pleasure, though I believe its probably an excellent naturally occuring example of atmospheric perspective.

Blog 2 Art1B

What Struck me about these altarpieces, is that the donors/patrons, the people that commissioned the work were prominently portrayed on the front of the work of art. It immediately puts them in a place of prominence, Why? It's not something I think you see done today, however those that support the arts today are acknowledged publicly usually on the wall at the museum. Maybe this the beginning of the obvious intertwining of art, religion and politics. The piece is intensely religious, yet commissioned by a wealthy merchant. The merchant and his wife were childless and its suggested that this art might insure there "immortality" or salvation through their donation to the church. Also the man Joducus Vijd eventually became the mayor of Ghent with strong ties to the nobility of the time. The relationship between Church, commerce and politics is becoming symbiotic in this period.

Number 1 Art1B First blog

My first choice is a photo taken by a friend in Yosemite. I think it is probably a good example of a School of Art type of work because it is reminiscent of Photos of scenery that Ansel Adams made famous. I believe however that it stands on its own as an original piece of art simply because of the unique moment in time that Doug has captured. Its something we can all immediately appreciate.

Number 2 Art1B First blog

I chose this piece, pottery from a catalogue of native American, southwestern pottery simply because I enjoy it. There is a simplicity and elegance apparent simultaneously. One of my near term goals is to travel there (Arizona, New Mexico) and just spend some time visiting the various areas where these style of pots are created. I believe a large part of the attraction to this particular style of pottery is the beauty they can achieve under relatively "primitive" conditions. It would be fun to explore.

Art1B first Blog

So, when I started to think about the assignment the first piece of art that came to mind was The Thinker. The family used to visit Golden Gate Park decades ago and this sculpture was sitting out in front of the aquarium, as I recall we could even climb on it. It obviously impressed me and it ends up being a nice example of the lost wax process of casting. The thinker also has an interesting iconography, when the background of the artist and his times are considered. I think most impressive is the intensity of the subject, he is deep into it. The story behind the sculpture explains why.