/ Art History: On Display

Holiday Gifts I Gave and Received 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

As the holiday season wanes, it is time for my yearly post about art history gift giving and receiving. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Feel free to comment here or on Instagram (click here) about your gift giving!

Greek Mythology by Liv Albert

This book was very high on my Christmas list, as I just started listening to her podcast about the same topic. I am so happy that I received this book, and I have begun reading it. Wonderful podcast and book!

Art and Illusion by E. H. Gombrich

I was gifted this book from a family member who is very knowledgable about art theory. This book focuses on artists' ability to depict 3D objects in a 2D space.

The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock by Edward White

I absolutely love this book! I have started it and can say that the format of this book is wonderful. There are 12 sections- each outlining a section of the filmmaker's life.

West Side Story album on vinyl

Out of the Ordinary: Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Associates

I have a dear family member who admires the work of Venturi and Scott Brown (highly recommend their architecture- post to come). This book was originally an exhibition guide for their firm's work.

Metropolitain Museum of Art Tote and Pins

I was gifted all three of these things and absolutely love them. If you follow the AHOD instagram (and you should), you know that I adore art history pins.

Faber-Castell Soft Pastels and Colored Pencils

ArtCurious TShirts

I am so happy I got these! I have wanted these for a very long time.

Parthenon TShirt

Saturday, November 27, 2021

David by Donatello

Bio of the work:

Title: David

Date: circa 1440

Medium: Bronze

Museum: Museo Nazionale de Bargello, Florence

Analysis:

A master work from the Italian Renaissance (click to learn about this movement), David by Donatello was commissioned by the Medici family (click the link for more about their role in the Renaissance). It is a bronze statue depicting the biblical scene of David after defeating the giant, Goliath. At David's feet lies his head, and David is holding the sword that was used to cut off Goliath's head after he slayed Goliath with the stones. Donatello's depiction of David was unique due to his showing him as the young boy that he was in the Bible. Earlier depictions showed David as his much older self as the king. By depicting him as an immature teen boy, Donatello dramatized the sheer miracle from the Bible.

"Donatello's David." Italian Renaissance, www.italianrenaissance.org/donatellos-david/. Accessed 27 November 2021.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

As the holidays swiftly sneak up on gift-givers, here is a list of some ideas for the art lovers on your list (or for yourself to suggest to others perhaps). For reference CLICK HERE for last year's Gift Guide.

Room Decorations:

As an art lover, one of my favorite gifts to receive is art history posters! I have four different posters in my room. The two shown up above are from Etsy. The subject of the posters can depend on the person's interests. For example, I am a big fan of Abstract Expressionism, so I have a Kandisky and Rothko.

Museum Merch:

While I cannot vouch for others, I love having clothes, bags, and other items that show my support for my favorite museums. Last year I received a few of these items and love them so much. This merch can be from any museum. Here are a few suggestion museums (click for the link):

The Met
MFA

Pins From Pin Museum:

While the least expensive, probably my favorite gifts are art history pins for jackets, backpacks, and tote bags. The Pin Museum has so many art works to choose from! I love them so much!

Saturday, November 6, 2021

The subject of Greek mythology is millennia in art and many other media. Knowing these figures and their symbology can make understanding and viewing art much more meaningful.

While Greek gods, goddesses, and their myths are very complex, they can be split and simplified down. For example, the 12 'main' gods and goddesses are known as the Olympians, named for their home on Mount Olympus. While the Olympians are important, according to myth, they were not the first. The first gods being Uranus, the original sky god, Gaia, his wife and the personification of the earth. Gaia had many children by Uranus, but the most notable being Kronos. Kronos went on to marry Rhea (his sister) and have many children including Zeus and other brothers and sisters. The Olympians include:

Zeus: the Chief among all gods (he came to this position by drawing lots with his brothers)

always depicted with beard
sometimes with a thunderbolt
Roman name- Jupiter

Poseidon: the god of the sea

Roman name- Neptune

Hera: goddess of women, childbirth, family, and marriage

also the wife of Zeus, making her the Queen of gods
Roman name- Juno

Demeter: the goddess of agriculture and the harvest

Roman name- Ceres

Athena: the goddess of war strategy and wisdom

the patron god of Athens
Roman name- Minerva

Aphrodite: the goddess of love, beauty, and passion

Roman name- Venus

Apollo: the god of music and poetry

depicted with the lyre
twin to Artemis
Roman name- Apollo

Artemis: goddess of the hunt, animals, and the wilderness

twin to Apollo
depicted with bow and wild animals
Roman name- Diana

Ares: the god of warfare, bloodshed, and violence

Roman name- Mars

Hephaistos: the god of blacksmithing and metalworking

Roman name- Vulcan
depicted with short tunic and axe

Dionysus: the god of wine

Roman name- Bacchus
depicted with a wreath or vines

Hermes: the messenger god

depicted with winged shoes
broad-rimmed hat
caduceus- special staff
Roman name- Mercury

The depictions of these figures and myths also are seen in Roman art. They all have traits and depictions specific to them. Some notable works include Bacchus by Caravaggio, Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli, and Venus de Milo. There are so many more myths and gods!

Citation:

Burn, Lucilla. Greek Myths. 6th ed., Austin, U of Texas P, 2002.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Arguably the most iconic Renaissance masterpiece, Botticelli's Birth of Venus depicts the ancient mythological scene, but rather than a true birth, Botticelli's Venus majestically rises from the seafoam in a scallop shell.

Bio of the work:

Title: The Birth of Venus

Date: 1483 - 1485

Medium: Tempura on canvas

Museum: Uffitzi Gallery, Florence, Italy

Analysis:

At this point in this point in the Renaissance, artists were mostly working on wood panels, making Botticelli's choice of canvas unusual and progressive. According to Greek mythology, the goddess Venus was born of the sea on to the island of Cyprus. The bystanders include Zephyrus, the god of the wind and breeze, holding a nymph, Chloris, and the goddess Hora waiting to give Venus a lavish, rose cloak. While totally nude, Venus modestly covers herself with her own hair. Click this link to learn about the Renaissance as a whole including Botticelli and his contemporaries.

Sources:

https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-birth-of-venus-sandro-botticelli/MQEeq50LABEBVg?hl=en

http://www.italianrenaissance.org/botticelli-birth-of-venus/

Art History: On Display