Movements and Works of Art
Introduction
The renaissance period is associated with the establishment of vital elements in the scene of visual arts. This period saw the introduction of sculptures, buildings, and paintings as art forms that are employed in defining the course of life and putting forth the finer details of society that nobody wants to highlight. Upon the introduction of these forms of art, new frameworks were laid that guided the perception given to the society and the interpretation of the often ignored occurrences. It was an introduction of a new language that was orchestrated by the pioneers of the creatives’ commune. It included the ancient painters and the artists who crafted sculptures and designed buildings (Klein et al. 2014).
Following the establishment of the new forms of art, the critical analysts of art are tasked with breaking down the complicated details of these forms of art. This need gave rise to the learning of ancient art and giving critical descriptions that are easily understood by the general society. The learning stems from the fact that not all members of the society are well acquainted with the knowledge to comprehend the information the artists intended. Moreover, there are very few people who appreciate these forms of art. Therefore, two paintings trace their roots to the ancient days and highlight the specific movements that influenced the inspiration that brought the pictures to life.
Barge Haulers on the Volga
The art, Barge Haulers on the Volga, was as a result of the creative imagination of Ilya Repin. He was a Russian artist who had an eye on the livelihoods of the workers in the Volga. The piece of art was crafted between 1870 and 1873 (Harkness n.d.).The painting showcases a group of men who appears worked up from the daunting task that they are undertaking. They are involved in the leading of the boats to docking at the bank of Volga. This creativity exhibits the devastating effects of the work of labor that they are doing. The diagonal line of the shore reflects the diagonal arrangement of the workers, which gives them their strategic position in consideration of the amount of task presented to them (Harkness n.d.). The men at the frontline are slanting forwards, fixing the gaze of the viewers at a strategic pint. Immediately following men appear exhausted and are hanging on the thread of minimal energy. Far back on the right is a man that is drained beyond reclamation. His background is graced by the presence of boats that are being pulled to the dock.
Analysis
Behind the diagonal alignment of the workers are sails who are having a good time at the docking point as the workers are leading the boat to anchor. That portrayal is quite contrary to what the gentlemen are experiencing on the boat, which makes it akin to a romantic painting that is putting forth the devastation in the foreground of the piece of art. The pictorial representation was influenced by real people that Repin came into contact with during his initial visit to the place (Harkness n.d.). His list of encounters included a former priest, Kanin, and an ancient grand painter called Konstantin. Throughout his work, Repin employed the naturalistic detailing that can be seen in the variation of the lighting circumnavigating the men from the shadow and the color used in the shores of the water body. These aspects of painting grant the piece of art a sense of realism that distinguishes it from the conventional paintings.
Interpretation
The emergence of realism displayed in the paintings was received as a form of protest. The painting reflects the nobility held by the Russian residents and the occupations that were available beyond the constraints of the definition given to art. The academic institutions and the perpetrators of educational reforms thought so low of art. The discrimination of art saw to it that many residents had risky tasks that jeopardized their lives. Moreover, the paintings were a move towards depicting the oppression that people were predisposed to and the poor living conditions in which they were dwelling (Sachant et al. 2016).
Barge Haulers on the Volga is a perfect piece of art that has succeeded in putting forward the struggles facing the artists and the nobble residents during the 19th century. Furthermore, the painting is associated with the movement of realism, which is evident in the images of men in the process of collapsing as they are carrying out their duties.
Madonna and Humility
The theme for Madonna and Humility traces back to Italian art during the period that Europe was awash with black-death. This period is estimated to be in 1348. Since the induction of the Madonna into the art scene, several countries adjacent to Italy adopted the art. It includes Germany, Florence, France, and Spain (National Gallery of Art. n.d.). At the center stage of the painting is the image of the Virgin Madonna that is positioned on the floor with the support of a pillow. On her left knee is a child who is the Christ. The work of art is as a result of the concerted efforts applied by Lorenzo Monaco to bring his creative ideas to life. Madonna has a black robe while the Christ is draped in a red gown with a touch of blue. Besides, the background of the painting has a brown color that tones down the complexion of the art.
Analysis
From the painting, the presence of Christ on Madonna’s knees highlights her ability to be humane. She is akin to a peasant lady when she adorns her humble hat. This sign of reverence has predisposed her to a position of receiving the divine will (National Gallery of Art. n.d.). Moreover, the humility showcased by Madonna is laced with intimacy, which is often shown through the physical touch and also harbored as emotions within oneself. The Madonna painting is easily grasped by a majority of the population, even those who do not appreciate the works of art at an instant. Even though contemporary society does not take so much to religion, the love of a mother evident in the painting is of more excellent value to everybody.
Interpretation
The Madonna and Humility painting by Lorenzo is a depiction of the natural form of life. This kind of life was characterized by mother and children contending to clearly defined roles and larger families. It is made up of the kings, shepherds, and Angels protecting them with much awe. Madonna exudes humility and love. The former was represented by the moon, stars, and the sun. The Virgin Madonna contends with the regulations of the tradition (Sachant et al. 2016).
Lorenzo Monaco employed his artistic prowess in painting Madonna and Humility. The artwork is communicative, and it is easy to comprehend the message without cracking the mind or involving the elements of critical analysis in the art to grasp. Further, the painting is a success in highlighting the Italian Renaissance movement that is represented by the Madonna in the painting. The painter also employed elements of humanism. It is shown by the affection the VirginVirgin has towards Christ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, art was invented to assist humanity in telling of their lives and also to preserve the forms of life. The two paintings, Barge Haulers on the Volga and Madonna and Humility, are rich in culture and the ancient information that assists us in explaining the modern phenomenon. They can also assist in the comprehension of changes experienced in the contemporary scene of art.
References
Harkness, K. M. (n.d.). An Introduction to The Peredvizhniki (The Wanderers) (article). https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/becoming-modern/russia-peredvizhniki/wanderers/a/an-introduction-to-the-peredvizhniki-the-wanderers
Klein, C., Betz, J., Hirschbuehl, M., Fuchs, C., Schmiedtová, B., Engelbrecht, M., … & Rosenberg, R. (2014). Describing art–an interdisciplinary approach to the effects of speaking on gaze movements during the beholding of paintings. PloS one, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102439
National Gallery of Art. (n.d.). https://www.nga.gov/research/in-depth/madonna-child.html
Sachant, P., Blood, P., LeMieux, J., & Tekippe, R. (2016). Introduction to art: Design, context, and meaning. GALILEO Open Learning Materials.
Appendixes
Appendix A
Art painting of Barge Haulers on the Volga
Sachant, P., Blood, P., LeMieux, J., & Tekippe, R. (2016). Introduction to art: Design, context, and meaning. GALILEO Open Learning Materials.
Appendix B
The art painting of Madonna and Humility.
National Gallery of Art. (n.d.). https://www.nga.gov/research/in-depth/madonna-child.html