The Swing Essay

To truly understand what is relevant about this story of the Horatii and this painting of David in relation to the French Revolution, it is important to make a distinction between the things that are relevant for this research and what is not. The renaissance of the Antiquity sort of means the same as the downfall of the Ancien Regime. Neoclassicism is connected to reality and the values of the Antiquity, wherein the Ancien Regime is connect to the beauty and plentifulness of the rococo style. That rococo style is something most monarchies could identify with.(Kunstkennis.nl)

One thing that really caught my attention in Waterlily was the sun dance. It really opened my eyes to an actual tribal dance; I did not know what they all did at a tribal dance other than dance. The Sun Dance only occurs once every year for so many days. There are many events that are held during the Sun dance. The buffalo is a very sacred animal during the sun dance.

In Jean-Honoré Fragonard painting The Happy Lovers (appendix: fig. 1), viewers are able to get a glimpse into the light-hearted, playful Rococo period. The Happy Lovers is a 35.5 x 47.75 in. oil painting, that was created between the years 1760–5 in France for an unnamed aristocrat; however, it can now be found in the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California. The Rococo period was a result of artists resisting the stiff monarchy, and desiring open expressionism–this was particularly emphasized through nature. The two great artists from this period are Fragonard and François Boucher, Fragonard’s teacher. A result of Boucher teaching Fragonard, specifically in the continuation of pastoral, Boucher was a great influence. This is obvious when The Happy Lovers is compared to Boucher’s The Bird Catchers (appendix: fig. 2). Both paintings include subjects of women holding bird catchers and doves, ultimately symbolizing woman’s ability to control relationships. More specific to The Happy Lovers, the woman dangles the cage above the boy, who is carrying a dove, a symbol of Venus–the goddess of love. However, in the bottom left quadrant of the painting there is an even larger cage with more doves, hinting at the idea that women can easily capture many men. This further expands the sensual intention Fragonard creates. In placing this scene within a secluded landscape, Fragonard emphasizes the flirtation and secretiveness between the two lovers–creating an unstructured, blissful

The decade of the 1930’s can be characterized in two parts: The Great Depression, and the restoration of the American economy. America had been completely destroyed due to the Stock Market Crash of 1929. It was up to the government and people of the 1930’s to "mend" America’s wounds. One man stood up to this challenge, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He promised to fix the American economy, provide jobs, and help the needy. During The Great Depression, the crime rate had risen to an all new high. J. Edgar Hoover helped to create the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As America was restored, culture grew quickly. Dance clubs, new music styles, glamour girls, movies and sports were all popular forms of entertainment in the

Artwork, too, was just as divergent. Consider the Rococo masterpiece The Swing, by artist Jean-Honoré Fragonard. The delicate coiling of the tree branches, the ruffling of the fabric and lace on the subject’s dress, and the play of light and shadow in this painting of a woman on a swing in the forest are all visual hallmarks of the Rococo style. Again, contrast with a Neoclassic masterpiece Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David. This work, which shows

Claude Vignon’s work called David with the Head of Goliath, is an interpretation of the artist Caravaggio’s original masterpiece, which shows art’s familiar paradigm, every painter paints himself. His motivation for creating this piece was from visiting rome in 1610, he was influenced by Caravaggism, which was art inspired in the style of Caravaggio. “Some art historians regard him as a precursor of Rembrandt.” Painted circa 1620-1623, it is an oil on canvas, made in Paris, France, 133.7 cm x 98 cm (52 5/8 in. x 38 9/16 in.). “Vignon was a French painter, printmaker and illustrator, and, in 1623, was one of the most respected, productive, and successful artists in France, in which his patrons were king Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu.” He was born into a wealthy family and started art lessons when he was a young boy. A theme could be religious rebellion against others who were seen as powerful such as Goliath, and were not fit to be in power.

1. Explain how the biotechnological revolution is different from past scientific changes in the world

The colors used in The Swing are soft pastel-like colors that best illustrate the painting’s femininity. The masculine ideals imposed by Neo-Classicism are even evident in David’s use of color. The colors presented in his work are solid, which suggest a male’s ability at making a solid and just decision. On the other hand, the colors used in The Swing are not pure but mixed. Mixing red, yellow, and white probably created the shade of pink in the young woman’s dress. This lack of purity conveyed in the colors of The Swing makes it clear to the viewer that a female’s decision lacks solidness as well as clarity. The forms used in the painting also illustrate how the process of deciding is dependant upon which style of art is representing the process.

The braided hair and ribbons of one of the grieving woman’s hair, small sprigs of foliage adorning the platform of Patroclus’ bed, the Greek ships silhouetted in the background, and the inclusion of Achilles’ armor all contribute to the Classical theme. It is as if Taillasson is trying to convince the viewer, through these scattered Classical elements, that this is indeed a true Classical painting. Perhaps he thought it was. However, time begs to differ. In the grand scheme of art history it is not a pure of perfect example of a Classical work or a Rococo. The composition and theme of the painting - an apparent use of horizontals and verticals on angular planes and a theme relating to myths of antiquity - are markers of the Classical. The colors, brushstroke, and poses/treatment of the body - soft pastels, loose and fluffy strokes, and relaxed figures - are that of Rococo. Overall, the painting is an example of the space of time between both art periods. Those trained in Rococo, like Taillasson was, were trying to maintain the techniques they were taught. In this work Taillasson is conforming with the newly popular Classical style, but only in intention not result. The subsequent work created still clings to all things

Beauty in art is the essence of detail and Boucher mastered in his painting, “Lovers in a Park.” He was able to create a very colorful garden setting combined with a hint of tension by the figures that quickly goes away with the beauty of the scene. The idea of love being an innocent but beautiful game is being told here. The light textures, silky look, cheerful style contributed to Boucher’s material richness work. The Rocco style was a reactive approach to the Baroque style that embodied light colors, asymmetrical ideas, and playful themes. It was a more graceful approach to the other style. Boucher was a French painter, draughtsman, and etcher who was perhaps the most celebrated painter of the 18th century. His career was hugely successful with many honors received and membership to the Royal Academy. His inspiration from other artists, patrons, and important figures in his life contributed to this style of work. Boucher’s Lovers in a Park captures the true beauty of what a Rocco style painting should look like.

In the painting was a guy named Jean-Paul Marat who was blamed for a massacre. David and Marat were members of the extremist Jacobin club, which was a radical thinking group and they did not like to engage in war. Most people would say David couldn’t be considered as an honorable individual because he had part in the Reign of Terror which he was exiled for. The painting seems to portray

Jacques-Louis David was a Neo-classical artist in 18th Century France. He painted in this serious style as a direct reaction against the accepted Rococo art era. Whilst the Rococo era was shallow and frivolous in subject matter (see The Swing, right), David’s paintings focused strongly on ideas of sacrifice and duty. But why would he work in this way? It was because David had a clear purpose for his art. He was a strong Republican who longed for the day when France would overthrow the gluttonous,

     When three friends are pressured by the government and each other, what choices will they make to strengthen or weaken their friendship? When people are pressured into things, does the character change? Is it a good or bad way. In the movie “Swing Kids” Peter, Thomas, and Aarvid made choices that reflect the strengths and weaknesses of their friendship.

Also known by the titles "Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time" and "A Triumph of Venus", this painting was on purpose designed as a complex, erotic allegory that includes an extent of iconographic symbols from the ancient world of mythology. It was a present from Cosimo de Medici to King Francis I of France. Being rich and vivid in symbolism relating to the constituting ideas of the High Renaissance, the painting gives Bronzino the opportunity to establish his maestro figure painting and portrait art. Through personification of qualities and varying contrast and brightness, Bronzino is able to justify that personal gains outweigh anything and everything that is moral.

David was a supporter of the French Revolution and this may be his political influence on the painting even though Napoleon was a son of the Revolution as well.