Introduction to Modern Art Basics
Academic
Institutionalization of the "fine arts” and the nature of academic instruction * The academy set the standard for what was art. * Very specific criteria * Only allowed to do History Painting: an event out of history, the bible, or mythology * Other than history – portrait, still lives, genre painting * Subject matter: history/mythology/politics * Studying in Rome was the high point of artistic development * Mengs, Parnassus, 1761 * Theme: the origin of poetry- the important foundations of poetry * Organization of composition: * deliberate, triangular with the most important figure in the center. * “Balanced Composition” * Clear contour lines * Smooth polished surface (goal of this kind of art)
Eg. Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer
Composition balance, clear delineation of form, depiction of spatial relations, use of light to highlight homer
e.g. Ingres, Portrait of the artist granet, 1807Brightly illuminated face
Astute posture
Ornate background (open air of Rome)
Important subject matter (Granet)
Represents the Artist as a member of the dominate culture/community
David's model of civic virtue: Oath of the Horatii between the Hands of their Father, 1785 * In many respects this work corresponds to the standards – clear articulation of form and space, smooth surface, large scale, something like a compositional triangle, story of the Roman past where the three sons are pledging their allegiance to defend republic Rome to the death against tyranny. * Corresponds exactly to academic standards * The idea of dedicating oneself to a higher cause during these emotional times * Defending a higher principle * The struggle against tyranny * Deliberately submitted this to the salon 1785 at the last minute and it created a huge outcry * What made this controversial? * Lines on convergence come together at the most
Institutionalization of the "fine arts” and the nature of academic instruction * The academy set the standard for what was art. * Very specific criteria * Only allowed to do History Painting: an event out of history, the bible, or mythology * Other than history – portrait, still lives, genre painting * Subject matter: history/mythology/politics * Studying in Rome was the high point of artistic development * Mengs, Parnassus, 1761 * Theme: the origin of poetry- the important foundations of poetry * Organization of composition: * deliberate, triangular with the most important figure in the center. * “Balanced Composition” * Clear contour lines * Smooth polished surface (goal of this kind of art)
Eg. Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer
Composition balance, clear delineation of form, depiction of spatial relations, use of light to highlight homer
e.g. Ingres, Portrait of the artist granet, 1807Brightly illuminated face
Astute posture
Ornate background (open air of Rome)
Important subject matter (Granet)
Represents the Artist as a member of the dominate culture/community
David's model of civic virtue: Oath of the Horatii between the Hands of their Father, 1785 * In many respects this work corresponds to the standards – clear articulation of form and space, smooth surface, large scale, something like a compositional triangle, story of the Roman past where the three sons are pledging their allegiance to defend republic Rome to the death against tyranny. * Corresponds exactly to academic standards * The idea of dedicating oneself to a higher cause during these emotional times * Defending a higher principle * The struggle against tyranny * Deliberately submitted this to the salon 1785 at the last minute and it created a huge outcry * What made this controversial? * Lines on convergence come together at the most