Vocabulary: Contrapposto

Contrapposto:
The position of an human figure in art where the figure stands with its weight on one leg, with the other one relaxed. It is further defined with the figure's hips and shoulder being at opposite angles.

The ancient Greeks discovered that their sculptures took a more lifelike form when put in a contrapposto position as opposed to the rigid standing position which was common in Ancient Egyptian and Archaic Greek sculpture. The contrapposto position regained popularity after the Dark Ages when it was commonly used in paintings.

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Your Unexpected Lesson in Art History

...Thanks to Assassin's Creed 2 and Gamestop.

It's nice to see that attention to detail in the game; as well as the fact that they want to show it off. I might just have to give the game a try. I can see myself getting stabbed in the back while admiring Donatello's David.

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The Toilet

On Georgiana's Gossip Guide I have been writing about about the popular theme of a lady at her toilet or toilette in 18th century art, particularly in France. Not only did it allow artists to portray sensual subject but it gave them a reason to portray nudes in a modern setting. This genre was a common theme through much of art history and can be seen in artwork from around the world.

Giovanni Bellini, Young Lady at her Toilet, 1515, ITALIAN

School of Fontainebleau, Lady at her Toilet, 1585–1595 FRENCH in the ITALIAN style

Diego Velazquez, The Toilet of Venus, 1647-51, SPANISH

Gerard ter Borch, A Lady at Her Toilet, c. 1660, DUTCH

Jan Steen, A Woman at Her Toilet, 1661, DUTCH

Anonymous, A Lady at her Toilet, c. 1700, INDIAN

Philip van Dijk, Lady Attending to her Toilet, 1725, DUTCH

Hyderabad Artist, A Girl at her Toilet, c. 1730-50, INDIAN


Francois Boucher, Woman at her Toilet, 1769, FRENCH

Berthe Morisot, A Lady at Her Toilet, 1875, FRENCH

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Madame Poupoule at her Toilet, 1898, FRENCH

Arthur Hacker, Nude Woman at her Toilet, 1918, ENGLISH

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Monty Python and the Fine Art Market

There has been a documentary on lately commemorating Monty Python's 40th anniversary. While watching it last night, I was re-introduced to this clip you may just enjoy of two doting mothers in an art gallery.

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Flying Buttresses on Modern Architecture

Tonight, I caught a segment on the news about the new state-of-the-art Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Normally anything to do with American football bores me, but something caught my attention. While discussing the stadium's massive size, they noted that architects opted to put additional arch support on the outside of the structure. As soon as I saw it, I immediately recognized them for what they are: flying buttresses.

Buttresses were a medieval architecture development used to support a large structure by holding it up. Flying Buttresses were external arches placed on the outside of a large, heavy building, usually a cathedral. They are fairly rare to see in contemporary architecture, especially in terms of function because they are considered...well...medieval. But in the case of this new stadium the buttresses appear fully functional, a lot bigger, just not as pretty.

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Venus of Willendorf

When beginning a class in western art history it is not rare for professors to choose to begin the survey with Venus of Wilendorf. In a comprehensive exploration of western art history there are many Venuses, but this little lady is the first, so it is only fitting to make introductions with her.

The Venus was found in Willendorf Austria, and stands at four inches tall, just big enough to fit in your hand. Despite her small stature, the Venus is often describes as "monumental" for she looks like she could be much bigger. She is defined by the many bubous spherical forms that make her. Carved anywhere from 25,000-21,000 BC the Venus of Willendorf is the oldest example of human depiction. Some theories state that this Venus was carved by a woman observing her own body by looking down upon it, and that is why the shapes are so exaggerated and bulbous. Another theory believes that this is a fertility figure and that is why the reproductive and nursing body parts are emphasized. Historians do agree that these figurines were common in the Upper Paleolithic era. They were made to be small so they could be kept on person, perhaps as an item of worship, a fertility charm, or a sacred item. Regardless of their overall purpose, these items were precious to their keepers which is proved by their transportable size and the expertise that went into carving. The Venus of Wildendorf is the finest example of Prehistoric sculpture and stands today as a symbol of feminism and womanhood.

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Engaging Walls

Engaged Columns:
Nonfunctional forms that sit on the surface of a structure, protruding slightly adding visual detail to the wall.

This is an image of Maison Carrée à Nîmes Ancient Roman Temple, Nîmes. It is one of the best preserved Roman Temples standing.  You can see the front of the temple boast ten columns in the round, however the remaining columns are merely engaged columns.  They do not bear weight, and serve a decorative function as the temple would stand without them.  

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