Choose one piece of art (of any time/culture/medium/art form) “that inspired you or moved you or changed” the way you were thinking about something, made you discover something new, or maybe you found a certain relationship between the artwork and your life, and the profession and major you are pursuing. Explain why is it so, and discuss which details or qualities of the artwork were particularly captivating or made you feel in a certain way (make sure that you are specific).
Remember also to include the basic information (title, artist if applicable, date, medium), and add a picture of the artwork that you saw in the museum (as part of the same post) or a link to a website if the picture can be found online. Please, make sure that you reduce the size of the uploaded image, if possible.
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
Title: “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
Starry Night
“Starry Night” is a renowned painting created by Vincent van Gogh in 1889. This masterpiece has had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally, as I pursue a career in the field of psychology.
The first time I encountered “Starry Night” at a museum, I was immediately captivated by its enchanting beauty. The swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors evoked a sense of movement and emotion that resonated deeply within me. It felt as though Van Gogh’s expressive style was conveying something beyond the mere depiction of a night sky.
What struck me most about this artwork was its ability to evoke a range of emotions. The contrasting elements of darkness and light, chaos and serenity, created a visual representation of the complex human experience. As a psychology student, I found myself drawing parallels between the emotions depicted in “Starry Night” and the intricacies of the human mind.
The painting made me reflect on the interplay between mental health and artistic expression. Van Gogh’s struggles with mental illness are well-documented, and “Starry Night” serves as a poignant reflection of his inner turmoil. It made me realize the power of art as a form of catharsis, allowing individuals to communicate their innermost thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to express verbally.
Furthermore, “Starry Night” made me contemplate the concept of perception and how it can shape our subjective experiences. The distorted depiction of the night sky challenged conventional notions of reality. It reminded me that our interpretation of the world is influenced by our unique perspectives and internal states.
In my journey to become a psychologist, “Starry Night” has served as a reminder of the complexities inherent in human nature. It has inspired me to approach my future profession with empathy and compassion, recognizing that each individual’s experiences and emotions are as unique as Van Gogh’s brushstrokes.
In conclusion, “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh has left an indelible mark on my life and professional aspirations. Its captivating beauty, emotional depth, and exploration of the human psyche have made me appreciate the profound connection between art and psychology. This artwork serves as a constant reminder of the power of self-expression, perception, and empathy in both artistry and the field of psychology.
