ART F200X

       At this current moment, we are in the modern art era. Will we ever rename this era? If so, what else could we call it? What would have to happen for us to make that decision? I am not sure, and I don't think I will ever be able to answer that question.      Artwork from the post-World War II era is probably my favorite. It just so happens that my favorite artist of all time comes from that period. Let me tell you how I came to admire Andy Warhol.      During my senior year of high school in 1997, I attended a technical school for graphic design in Traverse City, Michigan. The program consisted of three different teachings spaced throughout the school year: sketching/drawing/painting, computer editing/manipulation, and printing. Additionally, I was taking an advanced art class at my high school, spending three-quarters of my day engrossed in art. It was in these classroom settings that I learned about Andy Warhol. One of the assignments in my advanced art class was to draw a

     I turn 43 next month, and I often reflect on my life and the people who have shaped me into the person I am today. My grandma Ruth has had the biggest impact on my life. The lessons she taught me have greatly influenced who I am. Those lessons have not only turned me into a man but also a gentleman.      She was like a walking storybook. I would sit and listen to her stories, captivated by her musical pieces played on the organ in the second living room—a space reserved for entertaining guests. Born in 1922 in Maine to farmer parents, she was just a little girl when the Great Depression hit. She recounted how her family was fortunate to have crops to feed themselves. They worked tirelessly in the fields to ensure there was enough food for their table, to sell to the surrounding communities, and to price it fairly, as many people couldn't afford to buy produce due to the lack of work. Often, food was exchanged for help on the farm. While it didn't pay all the bills, the sen

     Post-Impressionism was a movement that followed Impressionism, characterized by a more expressive and individualistic approach to art. Post-Impressionist artists sought to move beyond Impressionism, using color and form in a more abstract manner. Notable artists from this period include Van Gogh, Cézanne, Seurat, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Post-Impressionism can be identified by its use of bold colors, thick brushstrokes, and a more structured approach to form, with a greater focus on emotion and symbolism.      Photography has actually been around for quite some time, and most people might be amazed to learn that the first photo was taken almost 200 years ago. Given the advances in lenses and optics that began with Galileo's invention of the telescope in 1608, photography could have been invented even earlier. Unlike paintings, photography is a completely different medium and has advanced significantly during the modern era. Let's get to analyzing!      Starry Night Over the R

    The Classical Era of artwork ushered in "The Enlightenment." According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, Enlightenment means "the state of having knowledge or understanding," which aptly describes the Classical works produced in the 1700s. During this period, religion took a backseat in the arts, having already commissioned numerous biblical works during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Scientific discoveries became more frequent, and what better way to capture those achievements than by painting them for the world to see.                        Joseph Wright, " An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump "  (1768)           Let's take a look at the first piece I want to discuss: an example of Neoclassical art titled "An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump" (1768) by Joseph Wright. Wright painted this during the Industrial Revolution, a time when scientific advances seemed to occur daily. This painting captures one of those moments. The expe

Rembrandt Van Jin, " The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp", 1632           As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I have a deep appreciation for the Renaissance era, particularly for its magnificent contributions to artwork that conveyed the Catholic religion. The pieces were rich in detail and brimming with references to biblical stories. However, one aspect I didn't appreciate was the often exaggerated proportions of anatomy. While I understand that these distortions were intended to reflect the painter's vision of a scene, I must admit I'm thankful for the Baroque era, which ushered in what I would consider a return to more naturalistic representations in the world of art.      This week, I would like to discuss "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp" by Rembrandt van Rijn, commonly known as Rembrandt. This painting exemplifies Rembrandt's mastery as a Dutch artist. It stands as a quintessential Baroque piece, marking a pivotal change in artistic st

    As a Catholic, I truly treasure works from the Renaissance period. When most people think of Biblical artwork, they typically imagine two things: stained glass and Renaissance-style paintings.     I chose to examine " The Dead Christ with Angels ," a painting by Rosso Fiorentino. I selected this piece because it beautifully exemplifies the artistry of the Renaissance period. Unlike most depictions of Christ's death, which often emphasize the brutality of his suffering, this image portrays a serene and peaceful resurrection.        Take a look at where Christ's wounds should be. His hands, nailed to the cross, are not clearly visible and conceal his wounds. The entry wound from the stab on his right side is not bleeding. His head, where the crown of thorns was placed, is also free of blood. Was this meant to depict a complete resurrection with all his wounds healed? Or did Fiorentino want his viewers to see his vision of how he perceived this particular event?