An Overview ofAn Overview ofArt HistoryArt History

A look at major trends and schools of art A look at major trends and schools of art in Western Culturein Western Culture

Compiled by Prof. John C. R. SilbertCompiled by Prof. John C. R. SilbertFor use in the HUMA 1010 course, RMUFor use in the HUMA 1010 course, RMU

Please Note:Please Note:

The following slide presentation and the visuals that accompany it are intended for the sole educational purposes of HUMA 1010 academic study. As such, the material contained herein is offered under the rubric of the fair use clause of U.S. copyright law. Any other uses for this material are prohibited without the permission of the instructor and/or additional inquiry into copyrights that may be held by outside parties.

-- Prof. John C. R. SilbertHUMA 1010, RMU

All Visual Art is ImitationAll Visual Art is Imitation Aristotle’s word for imitation is Aristotle’s word for imitation is

“mimesis”; what the actor “mimesis”; what the actor sought to do; to reveal the sought to do; to reveal the truth of human beings.truth of human beings.

Art as Imitation does this in Art as Imitation does this in two essential ways:two essential ways:– Art as Likeness:Art as Likeness:

Rembrandt Van Rijn (top right)Rembrandt Van Rijn (top right)– ““The Jewish Bride,” 1667The Jewish Bride,” 1667

– Art as Alteration:Art as Alteration: Wassily Kandinsky (bottom Wassily Kandinsky (bottom

right)right)– ““Composition VIII,” 1923Composition VIII,” 1923

Within each essential form Within each essential form there are any number of styles.there are any number of styles.

Some seek to paint what is Some seek to paint what is there to be painted, while there to be painted, while others seek to paint what is in others seek to paint what is in the artist’s mind (and heart).the artist’s mind (and heart).

Classical Art: Classical Art: Art as Likeness

Temple of Artemis in Ephesus

Sarcophagus of woman and dog;

Late Roman

Roman tile portrait

Grecian Urn

Classical Art -- quick facts:Classical Art -- quick facts:

Classical art is noted for its strong sense of form, proportion and balance.

Much of the art and architecture served the needs of the state.

Classical art at first sought to idealize the human form; reaching for perfection (as the gods/goddesses were perfect). Note the sculpture on p. 147 in TABH.

Much of the art of the Greek period was attributed to Phidias, a painter, sculptor and architect greatly admired in the 5th cy B.C.E.

In the late 4th cy B.C.E., the emphasis shifted towards realism; with less depictions of idealized forms replaced by more life-like human qualities. Note the sculpture on p. 149 in TABH.

Roman Art often depicted less serene, more dynamic forms that appealed to human passions.

Euclid’s “Golden Section”Euclid’s “Golden Section” This is a mathematical calculation of

balance that states the most pleasing relationship between two connecting parts is such that the smaller is to the larger as the larger is to the sum of the two.

It is expressed mathematically as a ratio of 1:1.68.

The golden section finds its way into architecture and painting in the classical and subsequent art periods.

Leonardo da Vinci was so impressed by this principle that he called it the “Divine Proportion.”

The Parthenon, Acropolis, The Parthenon, Acropolis, GreeceGreece

Euclid’s Golden Section in ArchitectureEuclid’s Golden Section in Architecture

Slide reference from http://ccins.camosun.bc.ca/~jbritton/goldslide/jbgoldslide.htm

The Golden Section: the smaller is to the larger as the larger is to the sum of the two -- BC is to AB as AB is to AC.

A B C

Leonardo’s “Annunciation of the Leonardo’s “Annunciation of the Virgin”Virgin”

Divide this painting into a square Divide this painting into a square on the left and another on the on the left and another on the right. (If it is a root-5 rectangle, right. (If it is a root-5 rectangle, these lines mark out two golden-these lines mark out two golden-section rectangles as the parts section rectangles as the parts remaining after a square has remaining after a square has been removed).been removed).

Also mark in the lines across the Also mark in the lines across the picture which are 0·618 of the picture which are 0·618 of the way up and 0·618 of the way way up and 0·618 of the way down it.down it.

Also mark in the vertical lines Also mark in the vertical lines which are 0·618 of the way along which are 0·618 of the way along from both ends. You will see that from both ends. You will see that these lines mark out significant these lines mark out significant parts of the picture or go through parts of the picture or go through important objects.important objects.

You can then try marking lines You can then try marking lines that divide these parts into their that divide these parts into their golden sections too. golden sections too.

Reference from -- http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fibInArt.html#daVinci

Byzantine ArtByzantine Art

Bust of Emperor ConstantineIcon of Madonna and Child

Byzantine and Medieval ArtByzantine and Medieval Art For nearly a 1000 years, the art world came under For nearly a 1000 years, the art world came under

the influence of the Christian church. (5the influence of the Christian church. (5 thth cy C.E. to cy C.E. to 1515thth cy C.E.). cy C.E.).

Beginning with Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Beginning with Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, the church began a strong cultural Christianity, the church began a strong cultural mandate in Western culture.mandate in Western culture.

The goal of art was to remind people of Jesus Christ, The goal of art was to remind people of Jesus Christ, the saints and apostles and the story contained in the saints and apostles and the story contained in Holy Scriptures.Holy Scriptures.

Depictions of Christ showed his wisdom and depth Depictions of Christ showed his wisdom and depth (a more adult-like face even when showing him as a (a more adult-like face even when showing him as a child.)child.)

The Pagan world of classical art was frowned upon.The Pagan world of classical art was frowned upon.

Medieval ArtMedieval Art

St. Peter with Keys

Cathedral Carving

Poitiers, France

Detail of stained glass;

From the cathedral at Chartres, France

Medieval ArtMedieval Art

Gargoyle; York Minster Cathedral

The Nave of York Minster

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance

“Mona Lisa” ( aka, La Gioconda) wood panel

Leonardo da Vinci; 1503-1506

“Renaissance” means “rebirth.” This period was known for its flowering in the arts, music and literature. Increasing emphasis was placed on essential human qualities and on freedom and individuality.

The three great art figures of this period are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

“The Last Supper,” 1498 fresco

Leonardo da Vinci;

Painted in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

MichelangeloMichelangelo

“David,” St. Peter’s, Rome “The Pieta,” St. Peter’s Rome

Details of panels from Michelangelo’s painting of

the Sistine Chapel showing the Creation of

Adam (top) and Eve (right).

Raphael SanzioRaphael Sanzio

“School of Athens,” 1510

Rembrandt van RijnRembrandt van Rijn

“The Jewish Bride,” 1667

“The Return of the Prodigal,” 1669The greatest of “The Dutch Masters,” Rembrandt perfected art as realism and the use of chiaroscura.

GoyaGoya

“The Shootings of May Third,” 1814

“The Puppet,” 1791

Goya represents an early turning in art from realism (as likeness), to art as alteration. Many of his works were expressive of an inner vision and commentary about the times in which he lived.

The Advent of Photography The Advent of Photography and the end of the dominance and the end of the dominance

of realismof realism

Above: 31st PA Regiment Soldier’s Family visits on the battlefield (1861-65);

Upper Right: Abraham Lincoln c. 1860;

Lower Right: Union Dead at Gettysburg, July 1863

ImpressionisImpressionismm

“The Waitress,” 1877

Eduard Manet“Madame Monet and her Son,”

1875

Claude Monet

Sought to focus on the way light is perceived by the human eye. This period inaugurates art as alteration. Imitation in art is within the painter.

“The Child’s Bath,” 1893

Mary Cassatt

Post-ImpressionismPost-ImpressionismVincent Van GoghVincent Van Gogh

“Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,” 1889“Fifteen Sunflowers in a

Vase,” 1888

PointilismPointilism

“Le Pont de Courbevoie,” 1886-1887, by Georges Seurat

The 1913 69The 1913 69thth Regiment Regiment Armory ExhibitionArmory Exhibition

Named for the building in New York City where Named for the building in New York City where this art exhibition took place.this art exhibition took place.

Brought to the U.S. many of the new modern Brought to the U.S. many of the new modern artists who were launching into art as alteration artists who were launching into art as alteration with boldness and intensity.with boldness and intensity.

This art exhibition found few admirers at the time This art exhibition found few admirers at the time due to its radical departures from traditional due to its radical departures from traditional painting.painting.

Unlike Van Gogh (and others in Post-impressionist Unlike Van Gogh (and others in Post-impressionist alteration) who began with the natural world and alteration) who began with the natural world and painted it as they saw it, alteration for these painted it as they saw it, alteration for these modern artists sought to impose something new modern artists sought to impose something new on the world, something inside themselves.on the world, something inside themselves.

AbstractionismAbstractionism

“Composition VIII,” 1923, Vasiliy Kandinsky

“Arearea” (Joyousness), 1892, by Paul Gauguin

CubismCubism

“Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” 1902,

By Pablo Picasso

“Guitar and Violin,” c. 1912

By Pablo Picasso

“Guernica,” 1937; By Pablo Picasso

“Bottle and Fishes,” 1910; By Georges Braque

SurrealismSurrealism

“The Persistence of Memory,” 1931 By Salvador Dali

A style of painting that has recognizable figures and shapes but these things are related to each other as objects in dreamlike state.

“The Last Supper,” 1955, By Salvador Dali

Georgia O’KeefeGeorgia O’Keefe

“Series 1, Number 8,” 1919

“Iris,” 1929

“Red and Orange Hills,” 1938-1939

Modern RealismModern Realism

“Nighthawks,” 1942, By Edward Hopper

“Cape Cod Afternoon,” 1936 (Carnegie Museum of Art)

“A Woman in the Sun,” 1961, The Whitney

“Into Bondage,” 1936, Aaron Douglas

“Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery through Reconstruction,” 1934

“Ugly Americans,”

by Duane Hanson

Abstract ExpressionismAbstract Expressionism

“Greyed Rainbow,” 1953, By Jackson Pollock

Study for “Woman Number 1,” 1952, By Willem de Kooning

Pop ArtPop Art

“Beethoven,” 1987, By Andy Warhol

“Campbell’s Soup 1,” 1968,

By Andy Warhol

“Elvis,” 1964

“Soft Toilet,” 1966

By Claes Oldenburg

“Knife Ship II,” 1986, By Claes Oldenburg

Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

“Flying Pins,” 2000, By Claes Oldenburg; Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Andrew Wyeth Andrew Wyeth – Prof. Silbert’s favorite artist– Prof. Silbert’s favorite artist

“Spindrift,” 1950

Denounced by some art critiques as a mere “copier” – derogatory even to a realist – Wyeth comes from a long line of artists (his son Jamie) and illustrators (his father, N.C.). Wyeth once spoke of his art as radically abstract.

“Christina’s World,” 1948 (Maine was one of two places of inspiration to him.).

“Braids” (Helga), 1979

Wyeth divides his time between Chadds Ford, PA and Maine.

Portrait of President J. F. Kennedy, by Jamie Wyeth, c. 1967

An illustration for “Treasure Island” by N. C. Wyeth, 1911

“Wind from the Sea,” 1948

To the Left: “Falling Water,” built for the private use of the Kaufmann family in Ohiopyle, PA.

Modern ArchitectureModern ArchitectureFrank Lloyd Wright, one of the three major architects mentioned in TABH sought to bring balance between form (art), function (use) and the environment. He pushed the notion that “form follows function;” an idea that the needs of a building’s use come first before any artifice (form) should be applied. Buildings should blend with the environment and not overwhelm it. Where necessary, a building should shield the building’s user from harsh and unattractive outside influences.

Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd WrightThe Guggenheim Museum, New York

Built with thick walls to shut out urban noise and suffused with indirect lighting, Wright sought to create a “quiet oasis” for the viewing of other works of human creativity (modern art).

Frank O. GehryFrank O. GehryThe Guggenheim Museum; Bilbao, Spain, 1997

For Gehry, form is paramount to his architectural vision; a vision that is uniquely his. There is nothing “classical” about this structure and unlike Johnson he pays no homage to earlier forms. His architectural is innovative and controversial.

Philip JohnsonPhilip Johnson

PPG Place; Pittsburgh, PABell Tower, Crystal Cathedral;

Garden Grove, CA

Johnson was inspired by Gothic forms (late medieval church architecture) and re-invigorated them into new striking building designs.

Wedding at the Crystal Cathedral

“American Gothic,” 1930

By Grant Wood

As TABH says, “The world of art belongs to you.”