Art

Art


     From stick figures in the sand and the earliest animals painted and

carved in stone, people worldwide have reacted to the world by making images.

The fundamental goal of art, especially in the past, was to convey meaning and

express important ideas, revealing what was significant to every society, by

arresting images.  In recognizing the subject matter of any painting, you have

to look at the artist's intentions, which are regularly connected to social

conditions, national or global issues and the demands of the public.  To avoid

the pitfalls of judging all art by our own personal experiences and subjective

views, we have to learn the background surrounding the artist when the work was

created- the social and historical conditions of the time and the philosophical

views which affected the way in which the artist viewed the world. (Russell,

1984)

     Art is as varied as the life from which it springs and each artist

portrays different aspects of the world they know.  Briefly, it may be said that

artists paint to discover truth and to create order.  The creators of art make

discoveries about the wonders and beauty of nature and the dignity and nobility

of man.  They give these concepts an order to help us understand life in a

greater depth.  In understanding the history and style of any period of art, we

have to comprehend the balance between social and political development of that

particular era.  Within each and every period, development of style is affected

by a response to particular philosophies, social and economic conditions,

political and spiritual influences.  World Issues have been reflected in art

throughout the ages, and this premise is supported by three particular periods

of time.  This is clearly evident when viewing ancient art, where symbolism was

an important part of society.  Also, through the eighteenth and nineteenth

centuries, where art was a critical form of expression and finally in the modern

age of art where even in looking into the works of individual artists, one can

get a sense of the feelings and events of the time and the world.  Let us now

examine theses three periods in detail, to support this hypothesis.

     If we are aware of meaning of religious, political, or other symbols, it

will better our understanding of the frame of mind of the artist.  Each piece of

art is unique, a reflection of the artist's perceptions, insights and

experiences.  Certain aspects of the world are often exaggerated, or eliminated,

while the art reflects both the period and the artists own orientation.

Aristotle once said that “Art is the human intelligence playing over the natural

scene, ingeniously affecting it toward fulfillment of human purposes.”

(Bronowski 64)  This wonderful world of creation began in ancient times, when

people first created images to express their response to the world around them.

Various civilizations in the past painted images preparing to understand life

after death.  Another favorite subject was the glorification of gods and rulers.

The subject which an artist selects for a painting depends largely upon the time

in which he/she lives.  A painter painting in the middle ages would probably

have picked a religious subject, for that was almost the only kind of topic

portrayed at the time.  Still, outside factors of current events and different

world issues would greatly effect the artists state of mind, and therefore his

paintings.

     As you look into the ancient past of Egypt, it is quite interesting to

note the bureaucracy in the times of 3000 BC, which helps us to understand the

art work accomplished in these times.  As the Egyptians were united under one

central government and ruled by a pharaoh, they were organized by control

through a tightly organized bureaucracy.  The Pharaoh dominated all facets of

the peoples lives.  The people dreamed of afterlife as a reward for their hard

work while living, and often depicted afterlife where the spirit could find

pleasure wandering unseen among the living.  The palace art and architecture of

these ancient kinThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!


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