Evolution of Western Aesthetics: From Ancient Greece to Modern Art
Beauty in Greece
Greeks sought the loss of subjectivity through drugs, believing thought and creativity flowed better. They pursued beauty based on natural reality but with a subjective, idealized vision reflecting the harmony of body and soul, equating beauty with goodness. There were two types of artists: poets, who used creative, elevated language, and artisans, considered mimetic but defective copies of reality. Greeks prioritized painting and the stage. They believed music didn’t imitate nature
Read MoreJoan Miró’s Dutch Interior I: A Surrealist Masterpiece
Joan Miró’s Dutch Interior I (1928)
Catalog Information
- Title: Dutch Interior I
- Museum: Museum of Modern Art, New York
- Artist: Joan Miró
- Year: 1928
- Style: Surrealism, Organic Abstract
- Technique: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 92 x 73 cm
Subject Matter
Based on a postcard of a lute player by Hendrick Martensz Sorgh (a 17th-century Dutch painter), Dutch Interior I presents a thoroughly original composition. Miró chose this subject after his trip to the Netherlands in 1928, creating Dutch Interior II and Dutch
Read MoreArt Nouveau and Modernism: A Deep Dive
Art Nouveau and Modernism
The Conflict Between Artist and Society
One of the basic conflicts of Modernism is the breakdown between the artist and society. This conflict expresses dissatisfaction with a bourgeoisie perceived as culturally insensitive and failing to fulfill its role as a ruling class. Many modernist literary works explored this theme, portraying the artist’s struggle against bourgeois rejection and contempt, often leading to a bohemian lifestyle.
Two Attitudes Among Art Nouveau Artists
Two
Read MoreElements of Narrative Structure: Characters, Time, and Space
Narrative Essentials
A narrative recounts real or fictional events experienced by characters within a specific time and space.
External Structure
This refers to how the text is organized:
- Paragraphs
- Chapters
- Parts
- Treatises
- Books
- Acts and scenes
Internal Structure
This relates to the content and event order:
- Approach: Context setting.
- Conflict (Nudo): The protagonist faces challenges.
- Outcome: Conflict resolution and new state. Morals or lessons may be included.
Chronological Order
Events follow a linear timeline.
Read MoreAncient Egyptian Art: Majesty and Eternity
Introduction
Egyptian art is defined by the Pharaohs’ desire to create timeless works that would solidify their legacy. This focus on permanence is evident in the stone used to construct their most significant buildings.
Two striking aspects of Egyptian art, developed over 3,000 years, are the anonymity of the artists and the consistent style. The focus remains on the king, the commissioner of the work, while the actual artists remain largely unknown. Furthermore, Egyptian art, with its 3,000-year
Read MoreEssential TV Production Roles & Responsibilities
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