Some Questions on Art

Question 1: The Garden of Versailles

The Garden of Versailles is listed in the World Heritage list as one of the thirty-one heritage sites in France. The garden, which is a public site, occupies part of the royal palace known as the Royal demesne of the chateau of Versailles. In fact, the Garden of Versailles is located on the western side of the palace and covers about 800 hectares of land. Also, the entire garden is landscaped in the classic French style and is bordered by different scenarios on all four sides. Thus, the National Arboretum de Chevreloup borders the garden on the north side, to the east there is the Versailles urban area. Similarly, the Versailles plain is on the west and the Satory forest to the south. Apart from potted flowers, fountains, well-maintained lawns, and sculptures, the architecture used represent different eras. Therefore, the Garden of Versailles is a historic site that preserves cultural diversity and history through work of art.

Question 2: Popularity of Genre

The Baroque Art in Northern Europe has various characteristics that involve diverse artistic style and cultures across Northern Europe countries including France, Holland, and England. Thus, the genres of art developed over time due to different situations. For instance, painting became popular during the Dutch golden age painting resulting from the love of land from painters. Different types of painting became common practice including portraits, landscapes, still lives, and maritime. In fact, this era of painting shaped the future of western painting. Many Dutch artists adopted the culture of using canvas in painting and made small-sized paintings that could be bought easily. Famous artists such as Frans Hals used a brush in painting portraits to show relaxation and cheerfulness of sitters. Also, landscapes were common backgrounds used to indicate the great land. Moreover, everyday activities of life such as women at work, farm animals, and social gatherings became a popular focus of art in painting.

Question 3: Still Lifes Vanitas

Still life vanitas painting involves the use of realistic light effects to display the skill of an artist in painting surfaces and textures in detail. Things such as cutlery, food on a table and other still pieces were used by painters to send particular messages. The use of still life painting by an artist such as Pieter Claesz (1630) to send a moral message about life is known as vanitas. Mainly still life paintings communicated various messages of daily life. Some artists used obvious symbols in their paintings such as a half-peeled lemon. In this case, the lemon shows how life is as it appears sweet, but in reality, it is bitter. The unpeeled part of the lemon seems to be sweet; however, the peeled part tastes bitter. Therefore, the message communicated in such a painting is that while life may appear to be good, it is full of hardships and requires brevity to conquer.

Question 4: Worldwide Mercantilism in the 17th Century

Mercantilism was a trade type used in the 17th century, particularly in Europe to accumulate wealth, especially, gold and silver. The policy promoted regulation of a countrys economy with the intention of augmenting state power at the expense of opponent nations power. Since a nations wealth was measured in gold and silver, these precious metals were considered indispensable to any country. The mercantilism theory favored a balanced economy where a nation exported more than imports. Consequently, nations worldwide sought to grow their economy by expanding their colonial territories to provide cheap labor, soldiers and a market. Therefore, the need to create capital through saving and thrift prompted nations to pass laws limiting wants such as drugs and food. Similarly, imported luxurious goods were minimized to reduce drainage of foreign exchange. Hence, mercantilism focused more on the collection of silver and gold by limiting human wants.

Question 5: Compare and Contrast

The two paintings, Consequences of War and Return of the Prodigal Son use similar elements to impact the viewer. Since many painters during the 17th century used light effects, darkness, and color to manifest personal information of the subjects in portraits, these two paintings carry the same characteristics. However, while both paintings use similar materials and visual effects, they tell different stories. The effect of light is used in Reubens painting to show the possibility of hope and love even in the midst of a destructive war. Venus, the goddess of love, is presented naked; however, she is the source of light that illuminates the lives of the victims of war. Similarly, Rijn uses light in his painting to show the importance of mercy and forgiveness.

Also, both paintings use the intense color red to form an unforgettable memory of an extraordinary event where bad is overwhelmed by good. In Rubens painting, the red garment covering the soldier and part of Venus body indicates the danger around all those people. Also, the garment covers part of the goddesses hand which tries to free the soldier from Mars, the god of war. Thus, it indicates the struggle endured during the long war to bring love and compassion into the hearts of those fighting. On the other hand, the color red in Rijns picture is a representation of wealth and good fortune. The sharp contrast between the red cloak on the shoulders of the old man and the rag-like garment worn by the kneeling son gives the observer an idea of how bad the son suffered. Thus, color is used to help the observer remember the events depicted in the portraits.

However, the two pictures have contradicting spiritual and psychological themes. While Rijns painting sends a moralistic message of the mercy of God towards sinners, consequences of war portray the destruction and suffering accompanied by war. Also, while Ruben was influenced by the turmoil of the war that had lasted for decades in Europe, Rijn was influenced by the growth of his faith in Christianity. Consequently, the first portrait indicates the death of civilization as a result of the war. The soldier stepping on a book and holding a bloody knife depicts the way the war destroyed art and lives. However, the second picture has a theme of forgiveness. Even after the prodigal son went and wasted all his money, his father welcomes him and holds him and a warm and loving embrace. As such, no matter what humans do, God will always forgive them and welcome them back into his kingdom.

Question 6: The Jewish Bride

Rembrandts painting Isaac and Rebecca, commonly known as the Jewish bride use the effects of light and darkness to express the emotions of the sitters in the painting. The gold and white color used by the painter on the garment sleeve of the mans hand placed over the womans heart create light that signifies his unending love. While the rest of the canvas is darkened with dark colors that create shadow, the central part with the upper bodies of the people on the portrait is bright. Such contrast of light and darkness depict the love between the couple a love that does not care about anything around them because their feelings for each other is all that matters. Light is used in the painting to indicate the deep love that exists between the two people. On the other hand, the dark background with the darkened potted plant shows how meaningless everything else is.

Question 7: Effects of Religious and Economic Conditions on Art

During the 17th century when the baroque art was popular in Europe, two main factors influence art and its growth in Holland and Flanders. Many people, especially in the middle class, could afford to cater for their households and furnish their houses. Thus, they commissioned works of art to hang on their walls. As a result, demand grew, and the paintings became cheap. For instance, a small painting could be bought at the price of fish. Also, the tolerance and religious diversity of the Dutch played a vital role in the history of art. Since the painters no longer had the general obligation to paint spiritually and morally uplifting pieces, powerful art pieces telling the stories of life as it is were created. For example, the consequences of war painting is not conservative as it has naked people. However, the factors that influenced art only made it more vibrant.