20th Century Architecture and Art: A Comprehensive Guide
Architecture
Rationalism: The Bauhaus and Le Corbusier
The Rationalist movement emerged in the early 20th century, emphasizing simplicity of form and function. Key figures included Walter Gropius, founder of the Bauhaus school, and Le Corbusier, known for his innovative use of reinforced concrete.
Organic Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright championed organic architecture, which sought to harmonize buildings with their natural surroundings. His iconic works include Fallingwater and the
Read MoreExploring Salvador Dalí’s ‘The Great Masturbator’: A Surrealist Masterpiece
The Great Masturbator
Author: Salvador Dalí
Date: 1929
Style: Surrealism
Technique: Oil on canvas
Support: Canvas, 1.1 m x 1.5 m
1. Classification of the Work
‘The Great Masturbator’ is a significant piece of Salvador Dalí’s work that represents the surrealist movement in Paris, France. Dalí joined the School of Fine Arts in Madrid and became involved in surrealism in the late 1920s, utilizing the paranoiac-critical method to capture the unreal aspects of the dream world. From 1940 until 1955, Dalí
Read MoreAn Overview of American Art Movements and Artists
American Art: An Overview
Colonial Period to Early 19th Century
Portraiture and Early Influences (1670-1823)
Early American art was heavily influenced by European traditions, particularly in portraiture. Notable figures of this era include:
- John Singleton Copley: The foremost portrait artist of the colonial period.
- Gilbert Stuart: Renowned for his portraits of George Washington, securing his place in American art history.
- Charles Willson Peale: A painter, revolutionary, and naturalist known for his vibrant
19th Century Art: Romanticism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism
Romanticism
The French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars that hit Europe, and the Internal Crisis of Old Regime systems result in the loss of faith in reason. In response, a new sensibility that is characterized by a core value given to sentiment, to the exaltation of passion, intuition, imagination, and freedom to the individual. Romanticism is primarily a way of feeling.
The Romantic Painting
Painting rejects romantic neoclassical conventions, rules, represents a time of renewal of major technical
Read MoreLiterary Terms, Movements, and Concepts: A Comprehensive Guide
Literary Terms
Allusion
A brief and indirect reference to a person, historical event, cultural event, political event, or idea.
Allegory
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.
Analogy
Comparing two objects for the purpose of explaining something. For example: a heart and a pump.
Deus ex Machina
A circumstance where an implausible concept or a divine character is introduced into a storyline for the purpose of resolving
Read MoreFrancisco Goya: A Master of Artistic Evolution and Social Commentary
1. The Uniqueness of Goya’s Genius
In Spain, the figure of **Goya** stands above all others. His work incorporates different artistic currents of the passage from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, and his personal pictorial language anticipates new avenues of artistic expression.
Spain at the time of Goya (1746-1828) suffered the first major collapse that opens its contemporary history. From the Ancien Regime, through the brief moment of false hope that enlightened reforms represent, you come
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