The 10th century sculpture from India known as the Yogini depicts a composition of a meditating woman, exuding a sense of tranquility from her stoic demeanor. Her large presence commands a sense of authority. Her mythical significance as a goddess, indicated by the placard beside her, corroborates this sensation of power surrounding her. Through the power embodied by the Yogini, demonstrated by the focused precision on her features, the sculptor emphasizes the significance of the Yogini.
The first indication of the power associated with the Yogini is the overall appearance of the sculpture. Evident from the fact that the artist used durable granite to create the sculpture, the sculpture obviously was important enough to have the need to survive all types of conditions. The grainy and rough texture of the sculpture is symbolic of the power contained by a Yogini. From this initial glance, we can obtain a general sense that the Yogini has a relevant presence in the culture. The general shape of the sculpture is of an arch. Specifically, the background of the sculpture is a complete arch, with the sculpture protruding from the background. The central focus of the sculpture, then, is the Yogini, who stands out against the arch. Perhaps the sculptor created the figure as such in order to symbolize the religious aspects of the Yogini, as the overall shape seems to resemble a shrine. Moreover, the negative carving done in order to create the Yogini implies that she emerges from the back, giving her another air of authority. An interesting note about the overall structure of the Yogini is the general symmetrical appearance, which is contradicted by the intricate details which render the sculpture asymmetrical. The sculptor could have...
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...ower. Everything about the sculpture entrances and captivates the viewer in order to attract their attention toward the goddess, and the intricate details enhance the power associated with her. She exemplifies the traits of both man and woman in order to reign over both realms, and she uses her power in different mannerisms in order to ensure captivation. The Yogini displays domineering authority and commandeering control with her ability to be stable, be durable, be seductive, be masculine, be feminine, and combine these traits together in such a manner that the viewer is left in awe from the overwhelming significance associated with her portrait. The Yogini, based on her air of power, confirms her presence as a goddess. She makes clear to any viewer that she is not simply a trinket or token to be messed with, and that she is immortal and powerful beyond measure.
When that room is entered all voices are hushed, and all merriment silenced. The place is as holy as a church. In the centre of the canvas is the Virgin Mother with a young, almost girlish face or surpassing loveliness. In her eyes affection and wonder are blended, and the features and the figure are the most spiritual and beautiful in the world's art.
The process by which this particular statue was created involved using a method developed by Kaikei, a Japanese sculptor. It was a groundbreaking process that involved carving different pieces of wood separately and then joining them together (“Amida”). Instead of using a single object for creating a sculpture, multiple parts could be used to make the statue easier to construct and put together. After the parts were all joined together, the statue was covered in a lacquer finish and gilt was added to the face to give it the golden look.
The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is a very imposing figure. It measures around seven and a half feet tall (Relief of a Winged Genius). This shows the figure's importance, even if the viewer did not know it protected the king from harm. Originally, it was placed next to the throne, which also makes it an important image. The muscles are extremely striking on the figure's arms and legs. The Assyrian Winged Protective Deity is shown in the composite view, so the viewer can see all of the important parts of the figure. The figure appears to be a man, but it has distinct wings coming out of its back. This could show its divinity, or the gods have an influence over this creature.
In my examination of the works, I came across a particular sculpture that portrayed both beauty and craftsmanship. A 15th century sculpture (1490), made in Venice, Italy by Tullio Lombardo, shows a life-size figure of Adam. Titled Adam, the work is the most prominent in the gallery mostly because of its 6-foot standing. It immediately caught my attention and gave me a very realistic impression. One beige color and made of marble, Adam is depicted simply, yet the statue has intense emotions. His meaningful glance is seen in the upward and tilted head position. Adam has almost lifeless looking eyes and seems to be staring into the distance. With these sagging eyes, parted lips, and lacking posture I feel Adam’s guilt is displayed in this figure.
Hindu believes women are creator, caretaker, destroyer and a lover. Such beliefs are common in both eastern culture and western tradition that can be seen represented in different canvases of many famous artists. From renaissance Michelangelo Angelo to abstract Pablo Picasso, artists have always painted women in different circles of life explaining different paradox of emotional feelings, spiritual beliefs, and physical representations. Explaining such themes in balanced form and in limited canvases was not possible without abstract thinking and imaginative hard work. Such trend in art can be seen in artwork of different famous artists, which they created as per their thoughts and desire broadening meaning of visual arts pouring the spices of science and technology.
The works of art from the Archaic Period, Classical Period, and Hellenic Period developed physically and mentally, and the study of their aesthetic differences from period to period allow for a decided contrast and comparability. This interpretation has had a profound effect on the art world and that continues even in today’s world. The importance of Greek sculptures is evident in the storytelling of the gods, the people, and the culture. We use these sculptures as a tool to go back into the past of the Greek people, letting us admire how far mankind has truly come, whether it is in art or intelligence. Generation after generation has been and will continue to be able to see for themselves the society, culture and uniqueness of these periods through the wonderful sculptures that came out of ancient
India has produced provocative (From Western standards) sculptures, from Mithuna the Hindu, representation of male and female sculpture locked in a passionate embrace. During the time period of 500 through the 1300 CE, Hindu temple architecture, and sculpture reached new levels of imagination and complexity. A great example would be the Mithuna couple showed in a tight hug with the female leg crossed over the males arms wrapped around each other, and what appears to be the couple kissing, which on western standards, would exhibit a state of an erotic pose. India’s artistic ability’s showed an advanced style, when it produced the marvelous Shiva Nataraja, Lord of the dance, from southern India, Chola period, eleventh century, Bronze height 5ft surrounded by a ring of fire, Shiva dances the eternal rhythms of the universe, birth , death, and rebirth. This sculpture too, not one of eroticism, just magnificent with a women dancing inside a ring of fire, the overall size, just added to the statue, and present of this piece of art. Hindu devotional practices elevate, and promote a sculpture, to an individual’s state of looking or gazing at God’s image; Hinduism holds that God is present in its representations, thus visual contact with a sculpture is like viewing the divine. This is referred to as darshan (Literally, “seeing and being seen by the God”) the very act of beholding the image is an act of worship. Gothic design with its flare, when thinking about sculptures it leads you to the grotesque’s gargoyles waterspouts, these were grotesque figures or hybrid beasts that adorn the rooftops or flying buttresses of the Gothic cathedrals, and were said to ward off evil. The one’s adorning Notre Dame , in Paris are astonishing , Whe...
The Navajo Sand Paintings is an example of a sacred symbolic object commonly misinterpreted as nothing more than an artistic piece of primitive art. In actuality, the beauty is being overseen because Navajo sand paintings have more significance. This so called `piece of art' serves as a major device, but in a...
Man has always found pleasure in expressing himself by creating art. Through the centuries, man’s art has left behind clues and insight that enables the generations of today to understand their ancestors. In particular, historians and artist alike can see what certain Asian sculptures reflect of the culture and religious beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism is the parent religion to Buddhism; much like Judaism is to Christianity. Despite Buddhism and Hinduism sharing similar philosophies and various idealisms, their respective sculptures also show their differences. There are two important characteristic of the sculptures of these religions. The first is motion versus rest, and second the subject matter. It is these two types of characteristics historians and artist can help use to decipher Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
This sculpture seems to epitomize the ideal male human form. All of the body parts seem perfectly proportioned and the muscles are beautifully defined as if the image were of an athlete. The image is youthful with a calm demeanor. The right missing forearm looks as if it used to be resting at his side, while the left elbow was probably at a 90 degree angle, with the hand holding something. The slight bend in the left leg gives the impression of movement, as if the image was frozen while walking. The counterpoised stance adds an air of nobility to the "man".
The “Sacred Tree,” (fig. 1) was originally positioned behind the king’s throne. The scene shows two genii, sometimes with birds’ heads and sometimes with men’s heads and the horned hats of gods. Each of the winged figures holds a bucket and reaches out with an oval object toward a stylized “tree.” The composition has been read as being based on bilateral symmetry, with the vertical stalk-like structure crowned by a palmette. A meticulous examination reveals that although balanced, it has many discrepancies on both sides that deviate from perfect mirror symmetry. Ashurnasirpal appears twice, shown from two sides, dressed in ceremonial robes and holding a mace connoting his authority. The figure of the king on the right makes an invocative gesture a god in a winged disk in the top center of the relief. Ashur, the national god or Shamash, the god of the sun and justice, may be identified as the god who confers the king divine right. On the left, the king holds a ring, an ancient Mesopotamian symbol of divine kingship, in one...
Śaśibālā, , and Chandra Lokesh. Buddhist Art: In Praise of the Divine. New Delhi: Lustre Press, 2003. Print.
...des us with a glimpse into the ancient culture using beautiful and detailed designs. The art form has been sustained in fired clay for thousands of years indiscriminately telling its story to the world and to history.
Rossetti shows us the woman being painted as many different things. Although she is just a painting, the woman symbolizes how the artist views women in real life: as objects. Irony is used when the woman is painted as “a queen”(5). She is put on a pedestal in a position of power, yet she is only described as being “in [an] opal or ruby dress”(5), cementing her role as an ornament. The ruby symbolizes passion and perhaps promiscuity. Opal is a white stone that reflects many colors. White symbolizes purity; while the different colors reflected symbolize how her meaning can change, and how the artist controls her identity and can make her fit any persona he desires. The woman is also depicted as a “nameless girl”(6), indicating her identity is not important to the artist. It also shows that he does not personally know the women he’s painting, but only their looks, affirming that he bases their value off of their appearances. Lastly, the artist portrays a woman as “a saint [and] an angel”(7) and compares her to the “moon”(11), an allusion to Artemis, the goddess of virginity. In this painting, she is established as a pure virgin, which was a requirement of the time period Rossetti lived in. However, because it is one of the fantasies the artist creates, and the poem antagonizes him, this line also expresses the idea that a woman’s purity should not define her. He makes the innocent virgin and the licentious queen the only ways women can be viewed. Yet, they are the same to him. Lacking depth, their physical description is the only thing giving them any meaning. Rossetti describing the portraits conveys the idea that no matter the position in society; or what their actual personalities are like, women are just blank canvases for men to project their fantasies onto. Uninterested in a real person, the artist worships the idea of a
The form does take on specific significance when viewed in the context of history and culture. The Venus of Willendorf is the earliest officially dated sculpture know to the modern western world yet she is...