– Van Gogh And Rembrandt Essay, Research Paper
Each artist is an individual with a unique style, and although these styles can be similar in practice ? the individuality of the artist often proves the discriminating factor for a successful artwork. Self-portraits are beneficial when looking at the individuality of the artist as there are two aspects to look at ? the artist?s style, and the artist?s view of him/herself. The latter can provide a brief insight into the mental situation of the artist as well as any apparent influencing factors of the artwork. This view can often also include fragmental insights into the society and culture of the time. Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh are 2 artists of whom are well represented by this statement.
Rembrandt was born into a Dutch society of the Baroque era . This time period influenced his style of artwork heavily as these were the Post-High Renaissance years. This meant that the accepted artworks of the society at the time were religiously based works influenced by the efforts of the Reformation which was also occurring at the time. This meant that Rembrandt painted his works using religious artwork methods such as the art of chiaroscuro, strategically planning the composition of light and dark to give the figures an enlightened or holy appearance. Therefore when Rembrandt painted self-portraits he carried over these methods, painting himself in this almost holy presence with the use of chiaroscuro. The self-portraits show a vast expressiveness that make the works successful. Rembrandt longed to be like his Renaissance predecessors, often painting himself in the garments and fashion trends of the Renaissance era. The most common of these portrayed garments were the generic Berets that have now been typically associated with the common artist as a stereotype. Looking at the untitled self portrait of 1657 (Figure 1) you can see Rembrandt?s attention to detail and his persistence to achieve life-likeness. He has built up the wrinkled brow, the puckers of skin, in very detailed and effective passages of reddish colours. You can see the application of chiaroscuro in this painting which is obviously intentional as even his clothes, including fashionable beret, are dark to help with the distribution of light and dark with the focus being on his face. This self portrait is one I consider to be among his best. This work provides an insight into Rembrandt?s indifference to self-consciousness as you can see an aged, wrinkled man with a large broad nose and gray wisps of hair, all of which he has made no attempt to positively alter, he simply strives for realism in his works and finds no reason to alter the physical reality of his work for mere aesthetic purposes. It provides an insight into the culture of the time with the fashion state Rembrandt has depicted himself in as well as the common chiaroscuro methods used in the painting which were common for the culture or society of the time. The self-portrait of 1630 (Figure 2) shows how even from early in his career Rembrandt strove for realism in his works. You are once again struck by the honesty shown in this portrait. The absence of self-flattery helps to prove its success as an expressive, realistic artwork. This work has another insight into the culture of the time through his fashion. This time you can see him wearing black again, but with a lighter coloured frilled collar on the shirt, simply showing fashion trends at the time.
These self-portraits by Rembrandt prove his individuality as an artist and as a person, not being afraid to hide the imperfections of the human form. This in itself shows the nature of society and culture at the time with the Post-Renaissance stance on art still being to focus on realism not aesthetics, but with the fashion Rembrandt portrays himself in, we also are provided with an insight into how people at the time would have been dressed, showing society trends.
Van Gogh, like Rembrandt, was born into a Dutch society but into the Post-Impressionist era of art. Unlike Rembrandt?s religious motif, van Gogh?s works weren?t based on a particular society trend. His subjects were based on raw emotion and were expressed through vibrant colour and brush strokes. This method proved interesting when applied to his self-portraits. The almost wild strokes appear disorganised from up-close but from a distance they merge into an expressive, more than often successful artwork. Looking at the self-portrait from 1887 (Figure 3) you can see how van Gogh has attempted to intensify the face and the expression on it, mostly by using a variety of colour and shortened brush strokes. This work shows a similarity to self-portraits by Rembrandt as the focus of the work is on the face, and the way this focus is produced is by the distribution of light and dark in the picture. They differ in that Rembrandt?s method is the more tone based chiaroscuro practice, and van Gogh simply radiates the strokes from the face creating an illuminated effect. The work shows an approximate image of van Gogh?s appearance, the lack of severe realism with van Gogh?s methods means that a totally accurate representation of his individuality cannot be presented as in Rembrandt?s portraits. With the coat and hat van Gogh is wearing in the portrait you are presented with an insight into the culture of the time. Van Gogh?s painting methods also present an insight as it shows how the society at the time more openly accepted deviation from traditional art practice.
Van Gogh and Rembrandt?s self-portraits can be compared openly due to their expressiveness, society representation and the common technique they appear to share. Their artworks not only reflect their individuality but also provide fragmental insights into the society and culture of the society in which they lived.
354
Другие работы по теме:
Hans Holbein The Younger Essay Research Paper
Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/98-1543) During the end of the fifteenth century and at the beginning of the sixteenth century lived one of the greatest portrait artists of all time. His name is Hans Holbein and was part of what is called the Northern Renaissance. He was born into a family of artists with his father, uncle, and older brother all artists.
Artwork In The 1800
′S Essay, Research Paper Artwork during that Americans did were brought on by the European style of artwork. America eventually warped that style into their own
Raden Saleh The Romantic Aristocrat From Indonesia
Essay, Research Paper Art: Raden Saleh: the romantic aristocrat from Indonesia Raden Saleh, born into a noble Javanese family in 1807, became a pioneer of modern Indonesian art. Although he was the first Indonesian artist to paint in the Western style, the fact that he expressed individuality and creativity in his work (as opposed to the traditional approach which stressed the reproduction of established forms and styles) showed the way for future Indonesian artists to express their own ideas more freely.
Duttons Essay Research Paper Bookstore that touches
Duttons Essay, Research Paper Bookstore that touches my heart United states is a very new country comparing to the other European countries. I found my self very lonely sometimes, because there is nothing in Los Angeles that reminds me of the city that grew up in. It was very hard for me at the beginning to adjust to Los Angeles, but now I got use to it.
Raise The Red Lantern Essay Research Paper
In “Raise the Red Lantern”, the symbolic implications of the ancestral altar in the central reception hall go beyond the family walls, because it displays the portraits of all the powerful officals in the Chen family, thus suggesting the entire patriarchal tradition and its political power.
Gran Woods American Gothic Essay Research Paper
Grant Wood s American Gothic has always fascinated me in that it depicts the foundation of the United States and exemplifies rural America. American Gothic s popularity led Grant Wood into a whole new painting style and different content in his works compared to his early paintings. Grant Wood was basically a self taught artist.
Greek Art Essay Research Paper Erin LiveseyMay
Greek Art Essay, Research Paper Erin Livesey May 7, 2000 Extra Credit “Ancient Faces: Mummy Portraits From Roman Egypt” a special exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art concentrates on 70 portraits painted in Egypt during the first few centuries of Roman rule. Rome controlled Egypt as it controlled much else, through a policy of calculated multiculturalism.
A Comparison Between The Works Of Amedeo
Modigliani And Jacques Villon Essay, Research Paper Italian-born Cubist painter, Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) and the French, Jacques Villon (1875-1963), both
Cindy Sherman Essay Research Paper Terror and
Cindy Sherman Essay, Research Paper Terror and mockery come together in the portraits of Cindy Sherman on display at the Crocker Art Museum. Walking into the large, dimly lit ballroom, one may begin to feel a slight sense of trepidation as the viewer looks around to find nine sets of beady eyes watching one’s every move.
Arnolfinis Marriage Essay Research Paper Jan van
Arnolfini?s Marriage Essay, Research Paper Jan van Eyck was ?one of the greatest and most influential Flemish painters of altarpieces and portraits of the 1400’s? (Hayes). van Eyck’s paintings often include objects with hidden symbolic meaning. There are several different interpretations of the symbolic meaning concerning his portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his second bride often referred to as ?The Arnolfini Marriage?.
Chuck Close Essay Research Paper Chuck Close
Chuck Close Essay, Research Paper Chuck Close (born 1940) is an American photorealist specializing in close-up portraits and self-portraits. Close is one of the very few modern realists or photorealists who focus on the human face. In 1988, in mid-career, Close was paralyzed due to a blood clot in his spinal column.
Greek And Roman Art Essay Research Paper
Art has changed a great deal since it began many centuries ago. Centuries, however, are not necessary to notice the small changes that are evident even between cultures of similar times. Such is the case with the Greeks and Romans. Both cultures had exquisite pieces of art, but they were very different from each other.
Julia Margaret Cameron Essay Research Paper Juliet
Julia Margaret Cameron Essay, Research Paper Juliet Margaret Cameron was a Pioneer Victorian photographer during the nineteenth century. She took up photography later in life at the age forty-eight when her daughter presented her with a camera. This simple gift sparked enthusiasm in Cameron and led her to become one of the most colorful personalities in photography.Cameron was born in Calcutta in 1815 to a well to do British Family.
Comparison Of Two Paintings Essay Research Paper
Paintings have been used to represent people since the beginning of the human race. Through time due to advancements in material and painting techniques combined with the ever-increasing talent of the artists, paintings representing people have become very lifelike and are extremely realistic. Some painted portraits have as much detail as modern photographs.
D252 rer, Albrecht
Dьrer, Albrecht I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained in the sum of all men. -- Dьrer, Four Books on Human Proportions, 1528 Dьrer, Albrecht (b. May 21, 1471, Imperial Free City of Nьrnberg [Germany]--d. April 6, 1528, Nьrnberg), German painter, printmaker, draughtsman and art theorist, generally regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist.
Leonardo Da Vinci Essay Research Paper
The life of the extremely talented artist, and brilliant scientist, Leonardo da Vinci began on the date of April 15, 1452 during the Renaissance; in the town of Vinci, Italy. His parents were Peiro da Vinci, and a beautiful young woman named Caterina. From a very young age he discovered his artistic skills and became an apprentice to a famous Renaissance master.