Mexican Modernism

    Mexican Modernism was an art movement the flourished in Mexico after the Mexican Revolution in the 1920's. Artists during this time period focused on creating works that distinctly expressed their nationality, along with expressing history, tradition, and identity, while creating and incorporating innovative artistic styles of the time. 

Landscape With Cacti by Diego Rivera 1931, In Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums, Trust, Mexico

    I chose this painting because to me when I personally think of Mexico this is what I think of. Desert and cactuses, as well as it is what is most portrayed in non-Mexican media. I was also drawn to the combination of earthy tones and shades of greens create a sense of warmth and balance in the painting. The composition of this painting is visually captivating and really shows Rivera's appreciation for the unique plants of Mexico. 

    Most of Rivera's artwork often reflect his deep pride for his Mexican roots and heritage, connecting his art to the country's natural environment and indigenous roots. He was a key figure in the Mexican Muralism Movement which was aimed to create a national art that was easily accessible to the public and reflected the ideals of the time. His landscape paintings, including Landscape with Cacti contribute to the vision by portraying the Mexican landscape in a way that the Mexican people can resonate with. Rivera also used characteristics and techniques unique to Mexican Modernism, such as the emphasis on the energy of the natural world. Such as in Landscape with Cacti, the cacti in the painting are show with figurative form, showcasing Rivera's ability to infuse organic shapes with a sense of movement and life. 

Self-portrait with Braid by Frida Kahlo 1941 in Diego Rivera Fridal Kahlo Museums, Trust, Mexico

    

    I chose this painting because of the features of this self-portrait drew me in. They are very unique, the brightly colored braid on top of her head resembling a ribbon that is tied in a loop, the unibrow, and the intense gaze are all very captivating to me. I feel the use of vivid colors and intricate details really showcases Kahlo's unique style and her visualization of her identity. These all combined create emotional depth and makes this painting very aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. 

    Kahlo's artwork incorporates traditional elements such as braids, and indigenous clothing, emphasizing her deep connection to her Mexican heritage and her cultural identity. The use of symbolic imagery and the details around her with the highlights that blend personal identity with cultural themes which is a common expression within individual narratives with national identity within Mexican Modernism. Kahlo's self-portrait showcases pain, transformation, and resilience, these three things combine really exemplify the emotional and psychological depth that many Mexican Modernism Artists seek to explore. As well as her portrayal of herself as an individual, specifically a woman going against traditional gender roles and norms. I.e. the mustache and unibrow and strong facial structure. This contributes to the broader narrative of modernism in Mexico. 

Bride from Papantla, by Maria Izquierdo, 1944

        I chose this painting by Maria Izquierdo because of its display of Mexican Heritage and the cultural essence expressed through attire and customs. As well as Izquierdo's use of warm vibrant colors and the attention to detail in the bride's dress, accessories, and the surrounding invokes a sense of awe while looking at the painting. I also like how timeless this painting looks, the connection to tradition through the culturally significant clothing creating meaningful representation of Mexican heritage. 

    Izquierdo's Bride from Papantla highlights the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through the traditional attire and customs. The lively bright colors and vibrant aesthetics displayed in Brides from Papantla capture the traditional elements with Mexican Modernism artistic techniques. Izquierdo focuses on the importance of indigenous identity and traditions that aims to connect the painting to Mexico's pre-Columbian roots, which is a key theme of Mexican Modernism and the approach to honor the past while embracing contemporary artistic expressions. With the combination of traditional and modern elements Bride from Papantla not only showcases the key principles of Mexican Modernism but also Izquierdo's own unique contribution to the movement. 

Work Cited 

“Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and the Rise of Mexican Modernism.” Huck, 24 Oct. 2019, www.huckmag.com/article/frida-kahlo-diego-rivera-and-the-rise-of-mexican-modernism.

Learning, Ann Lambson Ann Lambson is a Senior Interpretive Specialist in the, and Engagement Department Ann has been at the DAM since 2015. “Women of Mexican Modernism | Denver Art Museum.” Www.denverartmuseum.org, 1 Dec. 2020, www.denverartmuseum.org/en/blog/women-mexican-modernism. 

WRIGHT, REBECCA. “Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera.” Studiointernational.com, 2024, www.studiointernational.com/index.php/frida-kahlo-diego-rivera-masterpieces-from-the-geldman-collection.  Accessed 2 Dec. 2024. 

The Influence of Celebrities through Pop Art during the Mid-Modern Art Era

 Andy Warhol

Jackie O by Andy Warhol - 1964 

Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn) by Andy Warhol -1964

       Warhol's art takes celebrity images and turns them into works of art. His pieces contradicted the traditional notions of what is considered art. Warhol used images of well-known celebrities at the time i.e. Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe and turned their pictures into art. His take on art blurred the lines between art and pop culture. Many of his pieces reflected a societal obsession with fame and image and turned that and created a lasting impact on the art world and popular culture at that time. 

    What drew me to these two pictures in particular was.

1. The bright contrasting colors, and the overall color scheme of these two pictures

2. The people portrayed, let's be honest who DOESN'T know of Marilyn Monroe and / or Jacqueline Kennedy. 

3. The sheer fact that I recognized the picture of Marilyn, as I have seen it before but never knew it was an actual legit piece of art. 

    I feel that the pictures I chose for this section highlight the influence of celebrities, and how they had an impact on art during that time. The pictures chosen above have two well-known women, as if you don't necessarily know about them, you know of them. As well as Marilyn Monroe was a highly influential woman at the time, even after her death she was still a significant woman during this era.  

Roy Lichtenstein 

Mailyn Monroe by Roy Lichtenstein - 1963 

Blonde Waiting by Roy Lichtenstein - 1964

    Roy Lichtenstein is a well-known pop culture artist with a very distinctive art style. He carved a name for himself through creating works that mimic advertisements and comic strips. He connected the world of Pop Culture and fine art by creating images with celebrities that are universally recognizable. Lichtenstein was influenced by Andy Warhol, he incorporated well known figures, such as Marilyn Monroe, and bridged the gap between the celebrity world and fine art world. 

    What stood out to me with these images was that exact notion. The fact that both of the images looked very similar to comic strips. I also like the distinctive style that connects both of these pictures together, like you can tell that they were made by the same artist. 

    I had chosen these specific images as they fit the theme, similar to Warhol, Lichtenstein knew how to connect popular culture references and use them to reflect on the impact of celebrity culture during this time period. Lichtenstein perpetuated the notion of the growing popularity of certain influential figures at the time. 

 Richard Hamilton 

My Marilyn by Richard Hamilton 1965

Fashon-Plate by Richard Hamilton 1969

    Richard Hamilton used elements such as collages and familiar aspects in his artwork. His display of My Marilyn in such a fragmented and disorienting way reflected how media distorts and deconstructs celebrities through imagery. While Fashon-Plate showcases the public's interest in the artificial nature of the fashion scene. Hamilton used the exploration of celebrities and the media influence to engage his audience. He used his innovative techniques and perspectives to view the role of celebrities in society. 

    These two pieces of artwork stood out to me out of the several other pieces by Hamilton, because there is just something about how unique his style is. Hamilton not only embraced the public interest of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, but also the public interest of fashion and how easily it can be distorted. 

My Thoughts 

    Out of the three artists I reviewed for this blog, my most favorite is Roy Lichtenstein. I personally like his style and how cartoony his pieces are. One thing I want to express is I find it interesting that each artist, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Hamilton, all had their own unique style. As well as each had their own rendition of Marilyn Monroe. I found that the most interesting while searching for works of art to share in this blog post. Each artist had a portrait of Marilyn, but each portrait was unique to each artist. I feel just seeing that three different people had made their own piece of art about Marilyn Monroe just goes to show just how influential and how popular she was during the mid-modern art era. 

Britannica. “Andy Warhol.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 18 Feb. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Andy-Warhol.

“Roy Lichtenstein | Biography, Artworks, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Roy-Lichtenstein. 

Sooke, Alastair. “Richard Hamilton and the Work That Created Pop Art.” Www.bbc.com, 24 Aug. 2015, www.bbc.com/culture/article/20150824-richard-hamilton-and-the-work-that-created-pop-art. 

Modern Era Blog

The Influence of WWI 

World War 1 had a profound impact on art during the early modern era. The brutality of the war led to a distinct shift in art style and subject matter. 

L.H.O.O.Q by Marcel Duchamp, 1919

Dadaism   

    One of the most distinct styles that emerged post WW1 was, Dadaism. Dadaism is an anti-art movement that strived on the senselessness and absurdity of the war. Dada artists embraced the concepts of chaos and irrationality. They commonly used satire and unconventional materials to further ideals. L.H.O.O.Q is a prime example as it was created from a post card of Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa. Duchamp's intention with this piece was to feature elements of satire and he rejected the idea of aesthetic high-class art. Duchamp added a mustache and goatee to express the satirical and unserious ideals of dada artists. 

My Nursemaid by Meret Oppenheim 1936

Surrealism

          

    Surrealism emerged after WW1 as a result of the psychological trauma inflicted by the war. Within surrealism artists explored the unconscious mind and dream like imagery, many artists used the subconscious as a way to process the trauma resulted from the war. Meret Oppenheim specialized in surrealism. She is most known for her object, a fur covered teacup, saucer, and spoon in 1936. She also created pieces such as My Nurse / My nursemaid, that evoked eroticism. Although she specialized in surrealism, she is more known for her Swiss Surrealism. 

Dr. Mayer-Hermann by Otto Dix 1926

Expressionism

        As a result of the horror and brutality of the war, the Expressionist movement was born. The whole purpose of the movement was to convey the emotional experience, instead of the physical reality. Otto dix depicted the brutal realities of war, he often depicted these brutalities through anger and disillusionment. Dix was a German printmaker and painter whose personal experience from serving in the war influenced his work greatly. His paintings depict the intense reality of combat and the aftermath. 

My Opinion 

    My personal favorite of all the styles of art I picked for this exhibit is expressionism. Expressionism "expresses" deep emotional experiences, such as realistic representations of the horrors of the war. Personally I have always had a profound interest in the World Wars, and the art that was created as a result of the wars has always held a strong emotional response. I find with expressionism, it depicts intense feelings of anger and grief post WW1. 

Blumberg, N. (n.d.). Meret Oppenheim | Swiss artist. Encyclopedia Britannica.  

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Meret-Oppenheim

Dadaism - Art and Anti Art. (2019). Artyfactory.com. https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/dadaism.htm

Davis, C. (2020, May 13). Dadaism: 10 Iconic Artworks from the Dada Art Movement. The Collector. https://www.thecollector.com/dadaism-art-of-dada/

Polyzoidou, S. (2021, August 4). 6 Artists Who Depicted Traumatic & Brutal Experiences of World War I. TheCollector. https://www.thecollector.com/artists-who-depicted-traumatic-brutal-experiences-ww1/

Romantic Era Blog

Romanticism 

White Horse by John Constable 1819

John Constable - White Horse 

    Originally titled A Scene on the River Sour but was later changed to White Horse is a painting that depicts a scene of normal rural life. The painting was painted in oil paint on a canvas and was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1819 and paved the way for Constable's artistic success. This painting has a prominence of detail in the way the vegetation is represented.

    Constable's painting, White Horse, reflects the romanticism of the English countryside due to its focus on nature. By emphasizing the nature's beauty with the vegetation show in various shapes, colors, and growth areas in various shade of green. As well as the natural world being displayed in such a manner that is evokes a sense of awe. White Horse not only showcases a landscape, but it also has a stark contrast between the atmosphere of the trees, the moody skies, and the depiction of the bright white horse that invites viewers like me to experience the tranquility of the landscape. 

    John Constable mainly focuses on the beauty of the ordinary life of those in the rural countryside. Constable himself grew up in the Suffolk countryside, and many of his works are based off places he knew personally. His personal connection he infuses to his work adds authenticity and emotional emphasis aligning with the whole idea of what Romanticism is. In White Horse, the natural lighting, the harmony between the sky, the figures, and the landscape reflect the ideas of Romanticism. 

Moonrise over the Sea by Caspar David Friedrich 1822

Caspar David Friedrich - Moonrise over the Sea

    This painting was painted by German artist Caspar David Friedrich in 1822. The painting is painted on a canvas with oil paints. It can be found at the Ale Nationalgalerie in Germany.

    Moonrise over the Sea is a perfect example of Romanticism as it captures the beauty of nature in an awe-inspiring way. With the vast open sea and the moon rising over the horizon reflecting upon the fascination of nature's mystery in Romanticism. The emotional response with the serene yet solemn atmosphere as three figures are depicted watching as the ships fade away in the distance. The three figures on the rocks add a touch of humanity, enhancing the emotional connection to the painting. The fading light of the setting sun, the figures gazing out at sea, and the ships in the distance all follow the ideals of Romanticism. The sea is a constant reoccurring depiction in Romantic art, as the sea symbolizes the power of nature as well as the mystery of the unknown. Friedrich's depiction of the sea and its vastness and the ability to capture the moon's gentle rise showcases the ever-changing aspects of nature. 

    Friedrich, like many other Romantic artists, had a deep personal connection to the landscapes he painted. His works often reflect his deep emotional and spiritual connection to nature, emphasizing the authenticity of his paintings.

Impressionism

Wheatfield with Crows by Vincent Van Gogh 1890

Vincent Van Gogh, Wheatfield with Crows

     Van Gogh's Wheatfield with Crows is one of his most famous and recognizable paintings, as it was one of his last paintings before his death in 1890. Van Gogh painted it with oil paints on canvas, and it is on display at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. 

    Wheatfield with Crows has elements that are distinctly post-impressionism. Van Gogh used vibrant colors to contrast the dark ominous sky in the background. This light effect creates a contrast between the wheatfield and the night sky. As well as the way the brush strokes of the wheat and the curved path are different adding a sense of movement to the painting. This amplifies the notion in Impressionism of the focus on specific moment rather than the importance of perfect detail. This technique is frequently used in Van Gogh's works as well as other paintings that use impressionism. The mundane nature of a wheatfield and crows is elevated by the emotional aspect of Van Gogh's style. By capturing the motion of the approaching storm and the formation of the crows flying away, Van Gogh creates a sense of urgency in the painting. It is aligned with impressionism's goal of conveying subjective experience through art. 

    In spite of Van Gogh's transition to a more post-impressionistic style with the vivid colors and dramatic expression, Wheatfield with Crows still contains key Impressionist elements.

  

Sara Holding a Cat by Mary Cassatt 1908

Mary Cassatt - Sara Holding a Cat

    This painting depicts a young girl in a pink dress holding an orange cat. Sara Holding a Cat is a portrait canvas painting, that was painted with oil paint. It can be found at the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

    This pastel painting of Sara Holding a Cat shows a young girl with a cat, enhancing the delicate simplicity of a domestic scene. This painting embodies the ideals of Impressionism through the gentle natural light and the general softness. This painting is such an intimate moment between a little girl and a cat. This painting features loose brushstrokes that showcases a livelier depiction of such a gentle scene. This is the case with other Impressionistic panting's as they focus more on capturing the essence of a specific scene rather than focusing on precise details. Sara Holding a Cat is a great example of Cassatt's skill as well as her ability to blend different techniques and themes of Impressionism with her unique depiction of a mundane everyday scene. 

My Personal Favorite 

    In my humble opinion, Impressionism is better than Romanticism. I say this because the emphasis of light and color within Impressionism paintings. As well as the overall softer tone displayed within Impressionist paintings. Although I do like the overall look of Romanticism paintings, I am naturally drawn to bright expressive colors, so in my opinion Impressionism is the better of the two.

John Constable Paintings, Bio, Ideas. (n.d.). The Art Story. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/constable-john/ 

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). (n.d.). Www.christies.com. https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5561267 

Moonrise over the Sea. (n.d.). Obelisk Art History. https://www.arthistoryproject.com/artists/caspar-david-friedrich/moonrise-over-the-sea/ 

Van Gogh Museum. (2020). Wheatfield with Crows - Van Gogh Museum. Vangoghmuseum.nl. https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/s0149V1962 

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024, October 17). Caspar David Friedrich. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspar_David_Friedrich#Landscape_and_the_sublime

Classical Blog

    For this assignment I chose to cover the theme of the growing economic power of the middle class during the 1700's. I chose this topic because the 1700's were a time of big changes for the middle class. Before the 1700's art was only for the wealthy people and it was unheard of for anyone of middle-class status to purchase. The 1700's changed that, suddenly the middleclass citizens had more wealth and influence on things, leaving the middle class open to a new world to navigate. 

Conversation Piece, A portrait of Sir Andrew Fountaine with other men and women, By William Hogarth 1730-1735

       I chose this piece by William Hogarth because, Hogarth was a highly influential artist during this time period. Hogarth was a product of rising middle class as he grew up low class but as made a living securing commissions from the wealthy such as Sir Andrew Fountaine. This scene is captured in a serene atmosphere, likely in a garden or in a place with elegant setting. This piece exhibits a relaxing atmosphere as it seems to show a group of individuals enjoying themselves in a social setting. There is a man in the foreground on the right displaying and making conversation out of his piece as well as two other men gathered around him in a sort of awe. On the other side of the painting there's two women in elegant clothing that seem to be conversing with themselves. The posture of the people in this painting highlights how the middle class showcased their newfound wealth. The painting reflects the relaxed aura surrounding the group as they have newly found access to formal events allowing them to view and interact with art piece. 

The Shepherdess by Jean Honore Fragonard 1750-1752

    This painting by Jean Honore Fragonard is an example of the Rococo style, a style that was favored by the middle class and is characterized by playful colors and elegant style. In this painting the Shepherdess is shown in lower-class attire, but the clothing looks to be elegant and frivolous. The middle class's newfound ability to afford items typically associated with the wealthy is reflected by the depiction of a lower-class folk but elegant appearance. Fragonard's paintings were often commissioned by wealthy members of the middle class with an interest in collecting art. The purpose of this painting was to highlight the growing influence of the middle class. In addition, the overall atmosphere of this scene illustrates how middle-classes romanticize rural life.

A Group Portrait of Family in an Ornamental Garden by Nicolaes Muys, 1740-1808

    As the third painting I chose for this assignment is this one by Nicolaes Muys, I chose it because it shows a family with the means to have a garden. The garden itself is a symbol of sophistication which highlights the middle-class's growing ability to have such luxuries that were previously exclusive to the wealthy. The figures in this painting are shown wearing lavish elegant clothing, their elaborate attire displays their ability to afford fashionable clothing. This painting is also an example itself as the family depicted in the painting had the means to commission Nicolaes Muys, a well-known artist at the time. Art during this time was a way for the middle-class people could display their wealth and increasing cultural importance.

Augustyn, A. (2019). Rococo | Definition, Art, Painting, & Characteristics. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/Rococo 
The National Gallery, London. (2020). William Hogarth (1697 - 1764) | National Gallery, London. Nationalgallery.org.uk.    https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/william-hogarth 
Watson, F. J. B. (2019). Jean-Honoré Fragonard | French painter. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Honore-Fragonard

Baroque Renaissance Blog

 

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Peter Paul Rubens 1626, Located in: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, Antwerp, Belgium

    Peter Paul Rubens was a prominent artist in the 17th century. He was a Flemish artist who specialized in Baroque art style that focused on bold colors and movement within his works. Rubens worked for the Catholic church when he wasn't working as an artist. Many of Rubens' works were based off the bible and were mainly dedicated to the church or were commissioned by the wealthy. In order to make his paintings so flawless Rubens used traditional iconographic aspects to elevate the prominent religious elements and symbolism such as the ones found in The Assumption of the Virgin Mary. 

    Out of all the paintings I have seen of this Era, "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" caught my interest. I was drawn to this painting because of the color scheme that is displayed throughout the whole painting. My main point of interest of this painting is there is almost a line from the top right corner and bottom left where the light meets the dark. As well as the way that the virgin is depicted ascending into the heavens through the light cutting through the otherwise dark background, it adds to the godly atmosphere of this painting. The way that the colors of this painting create a sense of depth within the painting with the use of complimentary dark and light colors that mesh perfectly together. The use of complimentary colors in general is a technique I find interesting as it creates a sense of harmony among the colors. Another technique that caught my eyes was the way lighting is coming in and shining on a specific people differentiating the divine and the common people with how bright or dark they are. With the most light surrounding the Virgin Mary and the angels around her to signify she is being taken by the divine light. 

    From my understanding the Renaissance focused more on classical ideal and bringing a sense of harmony to the artwork. While Baroque focused on expressing emotions and making the art piece tell a story without words. Peter Paul Rubens' artwork is a good example of Baroque, at least in my humble opinion. 

Work Cited

   “Assumption of the Virgin Mary, 1626 by Peter Paul Rubens.” Peter Paul Rubens, www.peterpaulrubens.net/assumption-of-the-virgin-mary.jsp. 

The Assumption of the Virgin. www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.46131.html. 

    Gurney, Tom. Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Peter Paul Rubens.   www.thehistoryofart.org/peter-paul-rubens/assumption-of-the-virgin-mary.

    

    

    

Renaissance Blog

 

Madonna in The Meadow by Raphael 1505

    Raphael was an Italian Renaissance painter and architect. He is best known for his Madonnas and for his painting The School of Athens. I was drawn to this specific Madonna painting because of the way each figure fits perfectly into the frame. This painting depicts the Virgin Mary with Christ and St. John the Baptist. If you pay attention to the details, it seems Madonna is holding Christ in a sort of motherly way, like she is holding him up as he stands. The placement of her hands shows she is gently holding Christ with her left hand resting on his stomach as support and her right hand on his back for extra support. As well as her posture is relaxed, like she is calmly watching the two boys. Her face can be viewed as either content in the moment or, depending on how you look at it, her face seems to be frowning. It is all a matter of perspective. A rather intriguing element of this painting is that the figures are portrayed in a pyramid-like format; if you look closely, there is a triangular element with the placement of Madonna's foot at the right edge of the painting as well as the placement of St. John the Baptist's left leg at the left corner of the painting. The formation creates a triangular shape. Also, the position of Christ, the staff, and St. John the Baptist create a smaller triangle. So in this painting there are two triangles between the figures. I find this element very interesting because although there are triangles that are associated with sharp edges, the figures in the painting are soft and humanlike and display a sense of softness. 

“The Madonna of the Meadow.” Kunsthistorisches Museum, www.khm.at/en/objectdb/detail/1502/#:~:text=The%20Madonna%20of%20the%20Meadow.%20The%20group%20formed%20into%20a. Accessed 30 Sept. 2024.

“Move to Florence of Raphael.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 16 Aug. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Raphael-Italian-painter-and-architect/Move-to-Florence.