Fine Arts Appreciation
Artist name, year of birth, country of birth and PAGE artist is found in your textbook. (1 pt)
Lilly Martin Spencer, born 1822, England, page 132.
The complete website where you found information about the artist. This website must be an
“informational” site that is specific to your artist. (1 pt)
http://victorian-era.org/lilly-martin-spencer-biography.html
What is his/her primary media? (1 pt)
Oil paint on canvas
List TWO locations where the artist’s work is currently displayed or was recently displayed. Be specific. (2 pts)
National Museum of Women in the Arts and The Metropolitan Museum of Arts
Write a short paragraph about why this artist interests you. Your response must be at least 60 words for full credit. (2 pts)
Lilly Martin Spenser is considered as one of America’s foremost painter of genre scenes. Her paintings are detailed and present normal domestic life. Lilly Martin Spencer interests me because, during her time, women only painted as a hobby and leisure but Lilly Martin defied the odds by making her art her career. Her works were simple, and they portrayed positive energy since they were not unhappy or tragic.
On the Internet, locate one piece of the artist’s work that is not found in Introduction to Art. Then—IN YOUR OWN WORDS—fully describe its media (form/materials) and content (meaning/story). Include the full website where you found the piece. Your response must be at least 60 words for full credit. (3 pts)
Domestic happiness is a painting by Lilly Martin Spencer. The media of the picture is oil on canvas. ‘Domestic happiness’ was painted during a time when men and women had specific gender roles. However, Benjamin Rush Spencer, Lilly’s husband, left his career to take care of the household as Lilly pursued her career. Therefore, the painting depicted happiness in their home as the husband helped her in the domestic chores. https://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/list.php?m=a&s=tu&aid=943
Define symbolism and iconography and describe the difference between them.
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas. The symbols are used to signify ideas by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. The iconography of the other hand is the use of images to portray a subject or idea. In iconography, the photos have a deeper meaning attached to them. Symbolism is different from iconography in that symbolism does not have specific objects that are used as symbols. Any object can be used as a symbol to represent an idea as long as it is used in the right context. However, in iconography, there are specific images that are used to signify a deeper meaning. In iconography, there is a set of specified or traditional symbolic forms associated with the subject or theme of a stylized genre of art.
Also, icons have a specific meaning attached to them. No matter the context they are used in, their purpose does not change. However, symbols do not have a particular meaning. The meaning of symbols varies with the regard they are used. Therefore, symbols can get confusing since they can be understood differently in different contexts. Icons, on the other hand, have a universal meaning and cannot, therefore, create confusion.
Why is it essential that news photographs not be altered?
Photographs are a powerful medium of communication. It is a universal language because, although one may fail to understand a foreign language, they will understand a picture no matter the origin. Therefore, it is essential to present unaltered news photographs. The public is entitled to absolute truth and altering news photographs denies them the truth. Most often than not, people depend on journalists to give them information on what is happening around the world. When journalists alter news photographs, they deliver false information to the people.
Altering news photographs makes people distrust the media. With the advent of technology, people have access to numerous social media platforms. These social media platforms are a source of news from all over the world. When people compare other news sources to the ones presented in the media, they expect to find a similarity. However, when they discover that the photographs in the press were altered, they conclude that the media presents false of information and as such lose their interest and trust. The media is a crucial component of any nation because of the role they play. However, when the public loses confidence in their media, the media is ineffective, and thus the role they play becomes undermined.