Formal analysis of Roman sculpture is being able to describe what you see using conventional and subjective artistic terms. The content of a subject’s character often leads to different kinds of stylistic conventions used to portray them. For example in this marble bust of Marcus Aurelius that “exemplifies the perfect ruler” or “Philosopher King” he is portrayed with thick large organic curls that cover the top and back of his head and reach down below his ears and connect with his beard in a kind of visual unity. The way the course uneven curls on his head and the hairs in his beard follow flowing dynamic and asymmetrical lines that overlap one another, seem to communicate the artists’ intention to portray the emperor as close to his real form as possible. I believe this bust due to the amount of detail surpasses most pieces that would usually classify it as naturalistic; therefore this bust must then be defined as a form of realism.
There are a number of similarities between Greek and Roman art that are evident with these two cultures, but the point will be focused on the differences. Throughout history, art has consistently reflected the cultural values and social structures of individual civilizations. From art, we can determine the basic moral and philosophical beliefs of many ancient societies. The differences in art’s purpose in Greece and Rome, for example, show us the fundamental differences in each culture’s political and moral system. The primary objective of Greek art was to explore the order of nature and to convey philosophical thought, while Roman art was used primarily as a medium to project the authority and importance of the current ruler and the greatness of his empire.
Art was a crucial aspect of expressing Renaissance ideas. Italian sculptors, painters, and architects in particular did a fantastic job of communicating Renaissance concepts in their artwork. Three of the most central humanistic beliefs during this period of time were the appreciation of the individual, the emphasis on the real rather than the abstract, and the imitation of past civilizations. The sculpture “David”, by Italian artist Michelangelo, is an excellent example of the humanistic emphasis on appreciating the individual and dignifying the human kind. Michelangelo depicts David as a strong, godlike figure, emphasizing the size of his hands and feet.
How does Frost tell the story in “Out, Out” In “Out, Out”, Frost tells the story by personifying the saw and making it appear to have a mind of it’s own. The fact that the saw “snarled and rattled” makes it seem like it is destructive. It is also interesting to note that there is a contrast between man and machine, as the first line echoes the fact that the saw is animate yet machine like. The loud noise of the saw also contrasts with the tranquillity of the setting and almost seems to pollute the serenity of nature. Frost could have done this because he is trying to portray man-made objects and industry in a negative way.
The meaning of a work of art, media or design may or may not change depending on how the audiences look at the work. The work will not change in appearance, but will the perception? By studying Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous masterpiece Mona Lisa (see Figure 1), I will focus on how time can actually alter the meaning of a work. First of all, I will study the intention of the original creator and the relationship between the painting and the Renaissance. And then, I will further my research by examining how the masterpiece has been reproduced under different contexts.
Artists and Architects in Italy began looking at ancient artefacts, structures and scriptures for inspiration in seek of a new ‘truth’ and thus Humanism was born. This study of classical culture shifted man’s interest from religion to himself as the human body became the subject of interest as they believed that “man is the measure of all things” in stark contrast to the prior emphasis on the secular. Humanism, similar to its Greek predecessor, sought to find the order of the universe and also a new order of architectural language. Figure 1. Marcus Vitruvius ‘De Architectura’ (The Ten books on Architecture), 15BC Figure 1.
He left amazing art behind soon died of an unknown cause in 1488. Although he was a great painter, as a sculptor, it is accurate to say there were many beautiful works of his own in which it could be styled as Renaissance art. During his career, Verrocchio’s famous works include the “Equestrian Statue of Colleoni” and “Christ and Doubting Thomas”. In the bronze Colleoni statue, the style goes back to the Classical era of art but Verrocchio adds realism and expression. He is showing emotion in the horse and leadership of Bartolomeo Colleoni.
Their “David” is depicted nude and in classic muscular form. Michelangelo's statue shows David preparing for battle, while Donatello depicts David after the battle with Goliath. Bernini was an artist from the Baroque Period fashioned his David to be more true to form. Bernini does not depict David before or after the fight as his predecessors did, instead, true to the Baroque period, he shows him in action as if still in the middle of the fight. His face is grimaced in concentration, his muscles are contracted and taunt, and unlike the sculptures of Michelangelo and Donatello, Bernini's David is wearing clothes.
Some of the various artists that it included were Michelangelo, Raphael, as well as Leonardo da Vinci. There was an intellectual sophistication found throughout the work and the details were slightly artificial in comparison to the clarity that was found in the earlier part of the Renaissance. There is a significant amount of debate regarding what is to be included within the Mannerist Movement, as some scholars have gone as far as including literature and music into the form and some Gothic painters have been said to be a part of the movement as well. For the most part, the Mannerist Movement took place solely in Italy and it was a way of having more compositional tension in comparison to what was being created through the majority of Renaissance art. As soon as the artists began to take an artificial approach to the scenes, this movement was born.
There are many different characteristics of Egyptian art. They used symmetry, mathematical calculation, a relation to nature and to the Gods they worshipped. The art that was created from this period was very different than what we know of today. It was not done necessarily as something pretty to look at but as a course of necessity to please the gods. It was done so under strict rule and guidelines.