No artist could understand human emotion as well as Rembrandt, a well-known artist who lived in the 17th century. He had a skill that very few artists had. That skill was being able to show real human emotion in art and his paintings. Throughout his lifetime he had experienced many tragedies in his family such as, death of his family, separation from his children, and rejection from the world of art. He was also a very religious man and often, if not almost always, used biblical scenes in his art. Because of his tragedies and the understanding of his religion, it helped him to fully understand emotion and helped him express it in his art. The detail and in-depth works that portray his understanding include The Feast of Belshazzar: The Writing on the Wall, The Blinding of Samson, and The Stoning of St. Stephen. Many artists can paint what is on the outside and what the eye can see, but because Rembrandt was so connected to his religion and had experienced terrible tragedies in his life, he was able to portray the state
MacAdam 2
of human minds, and able to express true emotion into his art that very few artists could ever hope to portray.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606 in the then Dutch Republic but is now known as the Netherlands. He painted many portraits and many works, and sketches that express human emotion. The Stoning of St. Stephen is an exceptional depiction of human emotion. The expressions that Rembrandt painted onto the people stoning Stephen display human anger. The tragedies that he endured in life helped him display emotion because, “in life, Rembrandt had suffered more misfortune and falls than normal men, and he took it with the utmost nobility” (Thames 134). One paintin...
... middle of paper ...
... beliefs.
Rembrandt was an artist who was able to portray true human emotion and the connection it has with religion. He suffered a lot in his lifetime. He experienced death in
MacAdam 6
his family, and rejection from the community. His paintings were highly religious and thematic, while some were utterly violent. The ability to portray human emotion into his art is something that only he can understand. He painted the degradation of the human race by painting death. His experiences in life proved that he was able to truly understand human emotion. Many artists can paint what is on the outside and what the eye can see, but because Rembrandt was so connected to his religion and had experienced terrible tragedies in his life, he was able to show the state of human minds, and was able to express real emotion into his art. He had a gift that not many artists have.
Regardless of taste, an appreciator of art should be able to recognize when an artist exerts a large amount of effort and expresses a great amount of creativity. Understanding the concepts incorporated by truly talented artists helps the viewer better understand art in general. Both Van Eyck and Velasquez are examples of artists that stood out in their time due to their unique vision and their innovative style, and are therefore remembered, recognized, and praised even centuries after their works were completed.
Joseph Hirsch’s painting Daniel was painted in 1976-1977. In 1978 during the153rd Annual Exhibition of the National Academy of Design, it won the First Benjamin Altman (Figure) prize. It measures 38 inches by 45 inches (96.52 cm x 114.3 cm) with a five inch gold wood frame surrounding it. The medium is oil on canvas. Everything within the painting is centered to draw your eyes to the action of the turned head and the pointed finger. According to the placard next to the painting this is a modern day version of the biblical story of Belshazzar’s Feast following the sacking of Jesualism from the Book of Daniel. From this point on, each figure within the painting will be addressed as Hirsch intended. The painting depicts a seated king, a dozing courtesan and Daniel. The three figures are the focal point of the composition. Hirsch uses a strong color palette to give the painting a luxurious and wealthy feel. Although the detail is not miniscule, the composition as a whole is easily understood. The use of oil paint allowed Hirsch to play with the composition as it was created.
Vincent Van Gogh is one of the world’s greatest and most well-known artists, but when he was alive he considered himself to be a complete failure. It was not until after he died that Van Gogh’s paintings received the recognition they deserved. Today he is thought to be the second best Dutch artist, after Rembrandt. Born in 1853, he was one of the biggest artistic influences of the 19th century. Vincent Van Gogh created a new era of art, he learned to use art to escape his mental illness, and he still continues to inspire artists over 100 years later.
...t would help bring into understandable light the mystery of the Church’s teachings. Finally, achievements in re-creating human emotion would ensure the painting’s, and therefore the Church’s teachings would leave an indelible mark on all of its viewers.
Edgar Degas’ mind was unique and creative, producing some of the most famous works of the Impressionist period. Although his works were incredibly beautiful and had what could have been positive subject matter, his works often appear eerie and mysterious. This is due to Degas’ inner thoughts and feelings. Beginning with his mother’s death at age 13, Degas never became attached to a woman during his lifetime. This caused him to not only feel aggressive toward women, but also that he could look down upon them and his inferiors. Conflicting thoughts of aggression and admiration filled the mind of Degas, and is seen throughout his body of works. His work appears the way it does to the viewer due to Degas’ inner thoughts, which were not always positive. This allows his works to differ from other artists of the period.
It takes more of the creative person to sit and read into each piece of art work to try and understand what the artist is trying to portray. Usually I will spend five to ten minutes trying to come up with something half decent of how the color strokes represent the artists distress, but while looking at the The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp by Rembrandt in 1632, I was pleasantly surprised. This painting was created on an oil canvas during the Restrained Baroque period and emphasized group portraits. Group portrait is a large canvas commissioned by a civic institution to document or commemorate its membership at a particular time (Sayre, Henry M., and Henry M. Sayre.). I felt like I could relate extremely well to this painting, because it was a doctor teaching his students about the anatomy of a human. I am a biology major and took anatomy last semester. So I felt like I could feel what the students were feeling in the painting, because I have been in their position. This piece of art again shows that history relates to modern day life, because even today we are memorizing the anatomy of humans. Something’s have changed due to the fact that technology and our knowledge has advanced. Instead of just learning the names of the bones/muscles in the body we are now learning that on top of all that the enzymes and molecules that are also involved. This particular painting made me think of things that have happened in my
Religious strife dominated the 16th and 17th centuries. Religion was the number one subject of discord. There were numerous civil wars and conflicts between the Catholics and the Huguenots (French Protestants). This political and religious struggle spilled over into the world of art (Cothren & Stokstad, 2011, p.679). Artists needed to work within the specific guidelines of the Church, an example being the color of the Virgin Mary’s clothing. In the three paintings showcased, religion changed the perception of the artist.
... close attention to detail. Moreover, his art is the true representation of the Renaissance, a rebirth. Raphael placed emotion into every brushstroke in an attempt to convey the feelings of a painting at that particular point in time. His life was composed of peace and serenity and his craftsmanship was irrefutable. His creativity and absolute mastery of capturing life continues to catch the eyes of both friends and strangers. His art continues to speak.
...wn in the succeeding works of his lifetime. It is thought that this aura of sorrow is capable of moving a person so much that a sadness like this is only found in Rembrandt's last portraits, and no other accomplished artists’. Titian’s work is significant for this effect of inspiring and stirring emotion in even the tamest heart. (“Encyclopedia of World Biography” 242-243)
Van Eyck’s work of the Ghent Altarpiece was not simply a representation of symbols that alluded to Christianity. Van Eyck’s vivid sense of the actual world allowed him to be able to reconstruct reality along with its endless limitations. His audience was so extensively involved with his paintings that it may seem almost esoteric. T...
Rembrandt suffered many hardships throughout his life, the death of his children and wives, going bankrupt and having to sell his estate; all of these tribulations have had a personal significance for him and are apparent in subtle ways, in some of his paintings. One such painting that captures intersubjectivity is The Return of the Prodigal Son (Fig. 1); this painting portrays compassion and forgiveness. At some point in everyone’s lives there has been a time where we were asked to forgive or we had to ask for forgiveness, so this painting speaks to everyone. Rembrandt was able to capture the exact moment of forgiveness from the father and the penitence of the son. The father with his downcast eyes, solemn expression and gentle embrace indicate the father has truly forgiven his son and accepted him back into his house. In contrast the son on his knees, burying his head in his father’s chest shows us an appreciation and a sense ...
...he engraved. Using his emotions in an artistic way brought out the best in his talents and made his work great.
Vincent van Gogh was a poor artist in 19th century Europe that was constantly tortured by psychiatric issues. Van Gogh was born in Zundert, Netherlands on March 30, 1853. His father was a pastor and raised him with a very religious lifestyle and he originally set out to be a pastor himself. He was fired from his preaching job because of his intensity and fierceness and decided to be an artist. His many disorders eventually got the better of him and he was admitted to the St. Remy mental institution where he did the much of his art. After his release in May of 1890, van Gogh fell into deep depression and eventually committed suicide in July of that year. In my opinion van Gogh’s importance was shown through his different use of color that was looked down upon by the critics of the time but led to a new style of Post-Impressionism at the end of the Impressionistic era. Also, his large amounts of paintings, over 2,100, portray a large amount of subjects which virtually anyone can relate to. Finally, his importance is verified in the sheer price of his paintings, the most expensive, Portrait of Dr. Gatchet, was sold for 82 million dollars.
This art shows large-scale shapes and configurations that are often drawn without any restrictions. The artists have developed modern trends for traditional themes. Michael Angelo da Caravaggio pioneered a revolutionary way of portraying real worldly figures in line with a striking contrast of light and shadow. Anibal Krashi founded the Italian Baroque taste to decorate the bishop with huge shapes in scenes that give a deceptive impression of breadth. Pietropole Robbins, the most famous baroque artist, had photographed a large number of plastic paintings and depicted mythical themes and motifs of large dynamic motifs. Rembrandt was painting works in the Netherlands that were often influenced by Caravaggio and Robbins. But Rembrandt used the
Religious art helps people that are looking for security and hope. Today society is looking for peace and an anchor to hold onto. This religious art lifts the spirit and brings peace within through a beautiful way. It helps reassure people that there is a life after this one. One needs not fear the power of God but to understand his actions and the way one should live his or her life.