Our lives are intrinsically bound up with objects. The most precious remnants of our woes and triumphs are preserved in delicate glass boxes the capture the fluorescent light overhead just right. Admired by millions, they allow unique access to the past. It has not always been this way, though. Only within the last few hundred years or so has western civilizations placed art in museums for public display. Before many of the tangible pieces of history were meticulously collected and organized in museums, art predominately served as the visual counterpart to religious stories- how people experienced an aesthetic dimension of religion. Textiles, sculpture, and paintings served as the mediums of their time and supplied vivid imagery to religious …show more content…
Taking a closer look at a couple religious images from the past, however, will prove that although iconographic interpretation, use, and media may be different, a commonality runs throughout. The urge to visually represent the world and its many religious denominations is often difficult to suppress even at a time of iconographic denouncement. Take Byzantine image Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George found in the Monastery of Saint Catherine in Egypt for example. Created during the sixth or early seventh century, the remarkable compact image of the Virgin and Child seated between St. Theodore and St. George tells of Christianity during a period of opposition to the worship of icons. A portable encaustic icon painting composed of a mixture of wax and fine pigment on a two-foot piece of …show more content…
In fact, portable objects similar to the one just examined exist in Hinduism at later dates. Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja), a cast bronze model standing around two feet high created during the eleventh century speaks of the particularly rich and complex cultural heritage of India. An example of a movable image of a deity created under the Chola kings, the work is a prime example of an iconographic image. Unlike the image previously discussed, Shiva is accepted by the practitioners of Hinduism and his presence at religious ceremonies is essential. Balanced on one leg on top of a smaller figure crouched on its legs, Shiva extends all four arms. A circle lined with small flames encloses the deity. Shiva, the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe, uses various hand positions and objects to represent several ideas relating to the cyclic nature of time. For example, the drum in Shiva's right hand represents the original beat that Shiva created the universe under, while the flame in his left hand represents fiery destruction. With eyes closed facing the viewer, Shiva’s smooth, sparsely embellished body is idealized with minimal attention to bone structure or musculature. Through this single image, symbolism unlike any other is
Another example of Christian iconography is The Transfiguration. It is located in the Church of Saint Catherine’s monaster...
“Instead of stubbornly attempting to use surrealism for purposes of subversion, it is necessary to try to make of surrealism something as solid, complete and classic as the works of museums.”-Salvador Dali. Museums have served as cultural center, where people of all walks come and learn the magnificent artifacts that helped shaped the world we live in today. These Museums safeguard these precious items while making it accessible for the public to reconnect with one’s history. With this the museum fulfills two of its purposes; preserve the artifacts, and make it available for all to enjoy learning the fragments of the past that contributed in making of the world today. Recently, my I had the opportunity to visit the Dunham Bible Museum, in Houston, Texas. Though small in size, this particular Museum offers us the sight of the lineage of Bibles that has been passed down and made through time in many different forms and literature, and the methods of how such great books were copied and printed. Not to forget the underlying history of many great men and women who contributed their lives in the creation of such historic pieces. Some examples of the artifacts that can be found in this museum are:-The Gutenberg’s printing press, Gutenberg Bible, Algonquin Bible, Esther Manuscript, and the Luther’s German Bible.
Baxandall, Michael. "Exhibiting intention: Some preconditions of the visual display of culturally purposeful objects." Exhibiting cultures: The poetics and politics of museum display (1991): 33-41.
Duncan’s (1991) analysis of western museums is defined through the theme of “durable objects” as a criterion to judge the heritage of American and European art as a ritual of the modern state. In this manner western art museums are built like “temples” as a symbolic and figurative representation of greatness of western culture throughout the world: “[They] are more like the traditional ceremonial monuments that museum buildings often emulate—classical temples” (Duncan 90). This interpretation of American/European museums defines a dominant source of cultural heritage that ritualizes
Early Christian art during the period of Roman persecution was highly circumspect, and innocuous objects—the fish and the dove—were used to symbolize Christ and the Holy Spirit. Later Christian art, however, became replete with iconographic symbols. In particular, many of the saints became associated with specific objects—Saint Peter with two keys, for instance, or Saint Catherine with a broken wheel.
...eing more than beautiful objects for display, but rather the real meaning of these objects on a bigger scale, or in its entire contents, that keeps the cosmos the same, is a hard point to clearly. Sam Gill does a great job explaining these points through using examples such as the Navajo Sand paintings and the Seneca False Mask (and many others). These objects created by the Nonliterate societies are in fact beautiful, but the reason behind its creation and the process of its creation is also beautiful. The entire contents in which these objects are found is beautiful and it is amazing how the sand paintings and the masks help to keep the cosmic order. Therefore, these rituals that produce objects of beauty makes the Native American's reality and when we understand this, then we can begin to understand the art, or the left-over pieces from rituals, in their entirety.
During the 15th century, Europe started to have different cultural traditions that impacted the type artwork of artwork that was produced. There are several elements that have evolved during this time. Two artworks will be compared so that we will be able to evaluate how various techniques that are used can be used to portray the meaning of the painting as well as how the audience views the scene as well. One of the paintings that we will compare is a Annunciation panel (from the Merode Triptych), which was painted by Robert Campin in 1426. This painting will be compared to Holy Trinity, which was created by Masaccio in 1425. By comparing these two paintings, we will get a sense of what themes and ideals were valued during this time period.
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.
The artworks of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Aegean cultures, and Ancient Greece have similarities that not only reflect objects and images, but also the media, style and representation. These countries were not always wealthy, clever, creative and powerful enough to gain supplies, but they all find a way to create art with what they had. They have all influenced on each other’s cultures and belief through their artistic values and ways, ranging from the materials and tools they use, position and representation of their monuments and their religious intent.
...ll as the Early Christians had many things in common but for sure we know the impressions of classical Roman features in early Christian art. Indeed, one can see how Roman Art and Greek Art have influenced naturalism on sculptures from Early Christian Art. We also see similar compositions and influences on the tombs and churches, the ideal design and styles were directly adopted from the Roman Art style.
Religion has been an essential component in every culture throughout the history of mankind and has been extremely important in the development of art work from ancient periods. Evidence of beliefs in supernatural aspects of the reality has been found since the Paleolithic period; composite creatures, sacred animals, gods and goddesses are part of the many figures that have been worshipped around the world. Religions have evolved along with society during the time, and were becoming more complex; new figures were appearing and pantheons were changing within civilizations. Most of the art work that remains today from previous periods has religious connotation, from wall painting to beautiful statues. There are similarities in all cultures to associate female deities with fertility, love, devotion and beauty; but there are also differences in how the goddesses are depicted and worshipped from one culture to another as in the case of the Goddess Parvati in India, and the Goddess Chicomecoalt in Aztec culture.
We live in a world full of different religions and all of them have, for the most part, a lot of similarities between them. Some of said similarities include beliefs or practices, art, statuary and architecture or buildings such as temples or churches. They serve as reminders of teachings or beliefs and also a place to gather and worship. The architecture or structures are so revered by the people who build them that they themselves become intricate works of art. Another form in use is statues. Most religions use some form of statuary as shrines to visit or pray to, also as a representation of the image portrayed by their chosen religion. A religion with a strong representation of this practice is Buddhism. Today, Buddhism is recognized as one of the world’s major religions.
Tibet, with its isolated, harsh geographical location and history of political and social remoteness would seem an unlikely place to provide a “cradle for creative art” (Bailey 22). Yet it is in this desolate section of the world that one of the most intriguing artistic cultures has been cultivating over hundreds of centuries. One facet of what makes Tibetan art so unique and interesting is its interdependency on its religious beliefs.
The most influential theme in art for centuries was that of religion. There have been many things that have influenced art over the generations. Nothing has had the impact on the art world that religions has. Many of the ancient art works were dedicated to the gods or other religious figures. The statues of the Ancient Egyptians were not just for beauty. Instead, they were representations of the gods and were meant to have significant meaning to the people who saw them. The people of the time knew the meaning of every reed, flower, bird, or animal that was depicted in the art. The same is true of the Greeks and Romans. Most of the art was inspired by the gods and the mythology of the region. Art as a way of imparting a message dominates the art world. For most of history, art had a meaning that was often connected to the religion of the region. This is fitting since art has a sense of permanence that most other mediums do not possess.
When the religious art leaks out of the religious community and into the broader world of culture, it is one of the ways the meaning of the art can evolve. This is also an opportunity for the art to draw the world to religion. Moreover, artistic reinterpretation of sacred imagery can help keep religion honest. The church has always been enriched by the tension that comes with diversity in art. Art is communication and effective art communicates effectively to any group at any level.