ART F200X Alayna Walker Blog

 Introduction - The Great Depression was one of the most trying times in American History. Every art piece had a purpose, and with the rise of photography, every artist had to step up their game to truly capture what was happening to the American people.  "Gathering Brush" Gifford Beal, 1934, New York.          Work #1 - Gathering Brush      Depicting a scene of workers gathering brush over a penciled landscape, "Gathering Brush" is an excellent example of the use of shading and pencils as a simple medium. Often when people consider art, they immediately think of paints like oil and acrylic, or perhaps sculpture and architecture. Beal's use of pencil and paper is a step back from that idea, which in turn, allows viewers a different experience. In terms of its relation to the Great Depression, I think that this work is truly about coming together. During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration, or WPA, assigned low-wage workers to wo...

 Introduction The 19th century recognized a boom in art, specifically with the introduction of Impressionism, Realism, and everything in between. Artists began to explore new avenues of artistic vision, and challenged the norms that the general public had become so used to. Impressionist Works Edgar Degas, The Dance Class, 1874, oil on canvas, (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)     Edgar Degas is known for his Impressionist ballet-related paintings. "The Dance Class," painted and finished in 1874, is one of his most famous works. In terms of technique, lighting is a massive player in Degas' style. The reflection of light in the mirror, the dark wall in the  background, and the puffy tulle skirts have a slight shadow in the foreground, all of which lead to an exuberant composition. I personally love the use of muted color in this painting, as it specifically doesn't emphasize various parts of the painting. Instead, it allows the viewers to drift around the paintin...

     To put it simply, the classical era of art turned the tide in terms of political paintings. New leaders, battles, and mercenaries were all preserved in oil, with dramatic stories of peril and war. The Battle of La Hogue by Benjamin West, England 1778 - Battle - The Battle of La Hogue: A Triumph Immortalized in Oil      The Battle of La Hogue, fought in 1692 during the Nine Years' War, was a decisive naval engagement between the forces of England and France. In the annals of history, this battle is a turning point in the struggle for maritime supremacy in the late 17th century. The painting "The Battle of La Hogue" captures this momentous event in stunning detail, offering a vivid portrayal of a pivotal victory for the British Royal Navy.      "The Battle of La Hogue" is an oil painting by the British artist Benjamin West, completed in 1778. The painting is an imposing piece, measuring over fourteen feet wide and nearly ten feet tall, ref...

     Introduction      Diego Velázquez's painting, Las Meninas , is a masterpiece of the Baroque period. Completed in 1656, it depicts the Spanish royal family in a complex and intriguing composition. The painting has been subject to numerous interpretations and analyses over the years. A Short Analysis      At first glance, Las Meninas appears to be a simple portrait of Infanta Margarita, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting. However, upon closer inspection, one realizes that Velázquez has cleverly included himself in the painting as well as King Philip IV and Queen Mariana. This inclusion blurs the line between reality and artifice, challenging traditional notions of portraiture. Portaits of the royal family were common, but this painting in particular hosts so many members all at once, on one canvas.      The use of light and shadow in Las Meninas is also noteworthy. Velázquez expertly employs a technique called chiaroscur...

Introduction      In terms of art, there is arguably nothing more famous than "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci. Currently housed in the Louvre in Paris, France, this painting its own security system. I have personally seen the painting in person, and I can't say I wasn't surprised by a few factors.  Leonardo Da Vinci, Florence, c.1503-1519 ' Mona Lisa' My Personal Analysis    First, the painting is very small. I remember our tour guide saying it is somewhere around 2.5 feet by 2 feet, which is small in comparison to the rest of the paintings in the Louvre. Given the painting was completed in 1503-1519, I couldn't seem to get over how fresh the paint looked. Albeit, a little yellowed, from the distance I was standing, I wouldn't have been able to tell it was 500 years old without the prior research I had done before my tour. In general, I was oddly disappointed.      I found the painting boring to look at, even in person, i...

      In general, I tend to ignore the ideology behind women becoming martyrs for other women, people, or their religion in general. Perpetua, Catherine of Alexandria, Felicitas, etc. Some may even consider the women burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials to be sacrificial in the sense that they are still talked about today. Martyrs have always made me feel a bit ill. At what time has religion gone too far? Is the willingness of their deaths really based in religion, or was there other reasons?    The Painting        Joan of Arc, Joan d'Arc, or simply, Jeanne, was an illiterate peasants daughter. Sometimes I feel like I foam at the mouth when people begin to talk about her, because my adoration is intense. All of the other saints were educated and wealthy women, yet Jeanne, know as The Maid, came from nothing. Jeanne created a sense of stability in politics, and ended the age of funding ...