If you were to learn a new technique to make art, which technique would you explore? And within which subject category would you work? Explain your reasons for your choices.
Write about the techniques and subject categories we have explored in ARTS 1A as you answer this prompt.
To answer this question, choose ONE of the Spotlight on Technique videos we have explored in our modules and describe the materials and tools used by artists who make art by using that technique. The following is a list of the techniques covered in our Spotlight on Technique videos:
Etching
Wheel thrown pottery
Mosaic
Stone Carving
Oil painting
Similarly, choose ONE subject category to explore. For example if you want to imagine what it would be like to learn how to carve stone, which subject category would you pursue? The following is a list of the subject categories we have explored:
Landscape
History
Portraiture
Genre
Still Life
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 Stone Carving Technique in Portraiture
If I were to learn a new technique in art, I would choose to explore the technique of stone carving within the subject category of portraiture. Stone carving is a traditional and intricate art form that involves sculpting three-dimensional figures from solid blocks of stone. The precision and patience required for stone carving align with the meticulous nature of creating portraits, making it a captivating choice for artistic expression.
Stone Carving Technique
Stone carving involves the use of various tools such as chisels, hammers, rasps, and files to shape and refine the stone. Artists working with this technique often start by roughing out the basic form before gradually carving out details to bring the sculpture to life. Selecting the right type of stone, understanding its texture and density, and mastering the tools are essential aspects of stone carving.
Portraiture Subject Category
Portraiture is a subject category that focuses on capturing the likeness, personality, and emotions of individuals through artistic representation. Learning how to carve stone in the realm of portraiture would allow me to delve into the intricate details of facial features, expressions, and nuances that make each portrait unique. The permanence and durability of stone as a medium add a timeless quality to the portraits created through this technique.
By combining the technical skill of stone carving with the expressive nature of portraiture, I believe I can create compelling artworks that showcase both craftsmanship and emotional depth. The challenge of translating human characteristics into stone sculptures intrigues me, as it requires a deep understanding of anatomy, form, and expression.
Exploring the technique of stone carving in the subject category of portraiture will not only expand my artistic skills but also provide a platform for me to convey stories, emotions, and connections through the enduring medium of stone. The fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary expression in portraiture through stone carving offers a rich and meaningful avenue for artistic exploration and growth.
