classical arts

This painting is an oil painting made by a French artist named Jacques-Louis David in 1785. Oath of the Horatii tells a story, recorded around the turn of the first millennium of the era by the roman historian Livy.  the story talkes about the sons from two families, the three Horatii brothers and the three curiatii brothers, who engaged in combat to settle the wars between Rome and Alba Longa around 669 BCE. The brothers are required to fight however one of the horatti brothers is married to one of the sisters from the Curiatii family, one of the Horatii sisters been betrothed to one of the brother in the Curiatii family. Even though the families are soon to be related by marriage the patriarch of the Horatii family demands that his sons fight against the Curiatii, this is showen in the painting by the father arming his sons with swords to fight. Dispite their objections of their sisters the Horatii family the brothers obey. (“Oath of the Horatii.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/Oath-of-the-Horatii. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.)  Ipartly relate to this art piece because my dad served in the military when i was a child, I always worried and sad whenever my dad would deploy, i was afraid for his saftey.  

This particular piece of art showed the emotions of sadness, grief, and worry that the girls would feel knowing that their loved ones are about fight in combat.the girls are sad that their loved ones are leaving them, are worried about their saftey wondering if they will see their loved one again. I think this painting should be in an art museum. The american colonies had people who were against the british rule and people who wanted to remain under british ruling, there were families who had conflict like the one shown in the painting. Many colonists had family back in England. Even though they wanted their freedom they felt a sense of guilt for fighting against their home country.

This oil painting is known as The Swing. It was created by the French artist Jean-Honore Fragonard sometime between 1767 and 1768.  The original size of the painting was made 81x64.2 centimeters and was intended for display in intimate rooms like cabinets. Jean-Honore Fragonard  wanted the painting to be admired in private spaces. It is said that the back story of it was “the risque subject was chosen by a man believed by some researchers to be the Baron De sSaint-Julien who wanted a portrait of himself with his young mistress. This man is the lover concealed in the shrubbery and in his original brief, he specified that the swing should be pushed by a bishop. This was meant as a private harmless joke as saint julien held an important post in the roman catholic church. A lap dog which was a symbol of fidelity raises alarm by yapping loudly but the husdand takes no notice. The status which seems a half alive share in the conspiracy. The traditional attendants of venus the goddess of love gaze up adoringly at the girl while cupid raises a finger to his lips.” (“The Swing.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/The-Swing-painting-by-Fragonard. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.) I do not personally relate to this painting. The art piece shows love, happiness and joy by the soft like cloud colors, the facial expression on the mistresses face and how cupid shows his love for the girl. As she swings back and forth gracefully you can image the smile on her face like she has no worries and is enjoying life. I would own a copy of this because I think it is a beautiful piece. I love how the florals are draping all around her and i love the soft fluffiness of the mistresses dress as it moves with her.  This painting goes withmost of the decorations and paintings I have in my room. I think the swing should be put into art museums and cafe’s. 

The watson and the shark is a painting by john singleton copley made in 1778, it was made in london after he moved there.  The meaning behind it is the dramatic scene of a young man who was attacked by a shark while swimming in Havana Harbor. The painting is based on a similar event that happened to the artist in 1749 when he was a 14 year old boy. that event occured when he was attacked by a shark while swimming in the ocean. due to this event he lost a part of his leg. The painting shows that there are backstories and emotions of fear, a will to survive, and struggle. The  painting shows the man fearful for his life as the shark approaches. As the men in the boat struggle against the waves and the roacking boat in effort to help the man out of the water and into the baot you can see the fear and concearn they have for the man and his health.  John singleton copley was a well known american painter who got his reputation from his portraits and historical art work. He used light and shadow to add drama to the scenes he was painting. He highlighted the emotional intensity of the moments and stories he was trying to speak to in his art work. “The rescuers' anxious expressions and actions reveal both concern for their thrashing companion and a growing awareness of their own peril. Time stands still as the viewer is forced to ponder Watson's fate. Miraculously, he was saved from almost certain death and went on to become a successful British merchant and politician.Although Copley underscored the scene's tension and immediacy, the seemingly spontaneous poses actually were based on art historical precedents. The harpooner's pose, for example, recalls Raphael's altarpiece of the Archangel Michael using a spear to drive Satan out of heaven. The oil painting's enormous acclaim ensured Copley's appointment to the prestigious Royal Academy, and he earned a fortune selling engravings of its design.”(“Watson and the Shark.” Art Object Page, www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.46471.html. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024. )This painting relates to revolution by the themes of survival and bravery that are shown his painting. these struggles are also the same struggles that occured during the american revolution. As watson fought against the shark who attacked him, the american colonies were fighting against the tyranny of  British King and his rule. Copleys art reflected the growing sentiment of American indivisualsm and resilience against the british.  

Citations

“Watson and the Shark.” Art Object Page, www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.46471.html. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.  

“The Swing.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/topic/The-Swing-painting-by-Fragonard. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.

 “Oath of the Horatii.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia