As part of the discussion this week, you made a brief exploration of a work of art to understand its subject, meaning, and intent. In this assignment, you will explore an artwork in more depth to consider the context in which it was created. Choose any painting, and address the following:
Explain the artistic movement associated with the work of art.
Describe the style of the artist (How is the artist unique within the movement?)
Examine in some depth the influences that shaped the work. Address at least 2 of the following:
Stylistic influences
Subject/content influences.
Cross-disciplinary influences such as literature, philosophy, music, science, technology, etc.
Historical influences
Political influences
Reflect on your learning.
How did your research enhance your appreciation of the artwork?
How does understanding the context of a work help in interpreting it?
Include the following in your paper:
Name of the painting
Name of the artist
Date created.
Image of the painting
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Exploring “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
Name of the Painting
“Starry Night”
Name of the Artist
Vincent van Gogh
Date Created
1889
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Artistic Movement
Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is associated with the Post-Impressionist movement. Post-Impressionism, which emerged in the late 19th century, sought to move beyond the naturalistic depiction of light and color that characterized Impressionism. Artists in this movement focused on subjective expression, symbolic content, and formal elements in their work.
Artist’s Style
Van Gogh’s style is characterized by bold, expressive brushwork, vibrant colors, and a focus on emotion and spirituality. What sets van Gogh apart within the Post-Impressionist movement is his distinctive use of swirling, rhythmic brushstrokes to convey movement and energy. His unique approach to color, with contrasting hues and dynamic compositions, creates a sense of intensity and emotion in his works.
Influences Shaping the Work
Stylistic Influences
Van Gogh was influenced by the Japanese woodblock prints that were popular in Europe during his time. He admired the flatness of the compositions, the use of bold outlines, and the decorative elements present in these prints. This influence can be seen in “Starry Night” through the stylized forms and flattened perspective.
Historical Influences
The tumultuous period in which van Gogh created “Starry Night” also influenced his work. The painting was created during his time at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he struggled with his mental health. The swirling sky and cypress tree in the painting are believed to reflect van Gogh’s emotional turmoil and inner struggles during this period.
Reflecting on Learning
Researching the context of “Starry Night” has deepened my appreciation for this iconic artwork. Understanding van Gogh’s personal struggles and the historical backdrop against which he created the painting adds layers of complexity to its interpretation. The swirling sky, the vibrant colors, and the expressive brushwork now carry deeper meaning, evoking a sense of Van Gogh’s inner turmoil and emotional intensity.
Understanding the context of a work like “Starry Night” is crucial in interpreting it effectively. Context provides insights into the artist’s intentions, influences, and the societal, political, and personal factors that shaped the artwork. By delving into the context of a piece, we can uncover hidden meanings, symbols, and emotions that enrich our understanding and enable us to connect more deeply with the artwork.
In conclusion, “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh is not just a masterpiece of Post-Impressionism; it is a window into the artist’s soul, his struggles, and his creative vision. By exploring the artistic movement, van Gogh’s style, and the influences that shaped this work, we gain a deeper appreciation for its beauty and complexity.
This exploration of “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh provides insights into the artistic movement, the artist’s style, and the influences that shaped this iconic painting.
