Art appreciation does not require knowledge of the historical context of an artwork (or a building). Art history does. Throughout the semester, we've moved beyond simply appreciating art and discovering works through the lens of history. The slideshow below reflects on the cultures and historical time periods we've studied this semester. Our focus has been on Western art- art produced in Europe and North America. Scroll through the images below and follow along with your course outline attached to the syllabus for a look back. Post a comment on which time period, style, or artist spoke to you, fascinated you, and even stretched your understanding of what art is. Feel free to leave a comment by . It's been a pleasure… A Traditional Subject Matter Brought to Prominence | Genre Scenes and Landscape in the Modern Era5/5/2021
We may often think of Modern Art and associate the period with works of art that are surreal, unfamiliar, mystical and symbolic. However, the earliest forays into the avant-garde, into radical and new ways of artistic expression in the early Modern period we've been studying, concentrate on the familiar world, and on subjects that were traditionally approached by artists in previous centuries–landscape and genre, scenes of everyday life. The prominence that these two subjects take in early Modern art is no coincidence. The landscape and the world around these artists has changed and is changing drastically. People of all classes are now intermingling in the vast cities that have arisen, which have also brought new occupational opportunities to the lower and middle classes of society. In addition, the industrialization of nations has forever changed the physical landscape. Trains, steamboats, factories, cafés, theaters, and public parks have come to define the environment. It's no surprise that the artists of the time are focusing on portraying these features of modern life, and in new ways. In these three works of art below, the subject of landscape and genre is a feature, approached by different artists with a different perspective. What I'd like for you to do is to take a good look at these works, watch the videos, and comment on one similarity and one difference you observe amongst them. Take the time to thoughtfully and fully express your views. Stretch your thinking, and then take a stretch ;) Submit a comment by 11:59 pm . Enjoy the videos!
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