Consider the following two pieces of art.
The first is entitled "Guenica" by Pablo Picasso. The second is entitled
"Myra" by British artist Marcus Harvey. Indicate which piece you
prefer. Why do you prefer one over the other? Please include specifics
in your response.
"Guernica" by Pablo Picasso
"Myra" by Marcus Harvey
Now that you've
told me which one you prefer, let me give you some schema on both pieces
of art. "Guernica" is an anti war piece pertaining to the Spanish
civil war. Picasso painted it as an indication of the suffering to all
living creatures caused by war. The following images portray the
devastation Picasso was attempting to mimic.
Myra
Hindley was convicted of murdering five children from 1963 to 1968 in
Manchester, England. The image above of Miss Hendley was created from
the hand prints of children.
Now that I have given you some schema on "Guernica" and "Myra", does your perspective change?
Return
to your journal entry, and discuss the change in perspective now that
you have more understanding regarding the two pieces of art.
HOMEWORK: Complete the following writing assignment in association with your chosen image from above. The assignment is due on Thursday, September 12th.
What is the Artist’s Intent? How does the “intent” change your perspective?
Introduction: The artist’s intention has always been to convey
his thoughts, ideas or creativity through his work. Sometimes the
intention is to depict an important historical scene, so that it is
documented for later generations. Sometimes the intention in the artwork
is to be educational as well as figurative; nonetheless the artist
wants to be understood. The problem lies in the fact that the audience,
in most instances, does not perceive, nor understand the artist’s
intent. They simply decide that they don’t like a piece of art without
considering what might have been affecting the artist at the time the
work was developed and completed.
All perception requires transformations: when we see, we filter out
noise, fill in gaps, connect dots, rotate, stretch, and juxtapose.
Perception is creative. Basically, different minds interpret similar
input differently. Perception is learned. Infants cannot see much until
they learn to see. The eye’s signals must be processed and infants
learn to filter out noise, fill in gaps, and integrate with their other
senses, etc. until the output correlates with pre-existing patterns.
One can not interpret simply by perceiving. In order for an audience to
interpret without prejudice, they must consider ALL of the components
surrounding the artist’s intent. In many instances, perception is not
reality.
1. What was taking place historically and politically during the time the work was created?
2. What was happening with the artist on a personal level when the piece was created?
Assignment Explanation: Each of you will have the
opportunity to learn more about a specific piece of art, that when
initially perceived, is misunderstood, simply because the audience fails
to realize the artist’s intent. The audience looks at the work,
without considering the outside effects imposed upon the artist.
1. Your assignment requires some research; the Internet will suffice as
your primary source. Three Internet sources are required. WIKIPEDIA
SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS A RELIABLE SOURCE. Have fun learning more about
your artist and their controversial work.
2. A “Works Cited” page is compulsory, and it is a separate page from
your assignment. The following citation example is used for Internet
sources:
Gombrich, E.H.,
Why Art Matters? 2005, 7 August, 2009
[http://www.nyu.edu/projects/sanger/]
(Author’s name, title of the website, publication date, date of access,
and the URL in angle brackets on the second line indented five spaces)
3. Please research the following:
a. Begin your response by explaining your initial reaction to the piece.
How the piece makes you feel. Do you like or dislike the work? Explain
your response. Now begin your research by discovering the initial
reaction to the piece by the public. How was the piece received by the
public? What has happened to the work since its original introduction
into society? What was taking place when the piece of work was created?
Does the historical background affect the piece of art work? Was the
artist attempting to convey a message about what was taking place in
their personal life? What was the artist attempting to convey through
the piece? Has your perspective regarding the work changed now that you
have a greater understanding regarding the artist’s intent?
4. Please include an image of the work on your assignment.
Previous student example for above assignment. NOTE: the image would not copy to the blog, so look up "Madame X" on your own.
A Different Perspective regarding Madame X
An individual living in the 21st century may regard
Madame X,
by John Sargent, as rather dull and mundane. My initial perspective
involved no great excitement. I neither liked nor disliked this
particular piece. The female is attractive, but not stunning. Her dress
appears drab, and without must excitement. The artist has used darker
hues for every aspect of the piece expect for the lady's skin tone. I
wonder if this was an intentional contrast? In addition, her gaze is
focused on something or someone that the audience can not see. Is she
looking at her husband, or rather a more scandalous idea, her lover? Why
is the piece entitle Madame X? Did the artist not know his model? I am
curious as to why this piece was so controversial for its time period?
I hope my perspective will change once I learn more.
This painting, created by John Sargent, was first exhibited in the Salon
Gallery, Paris, France in 1884. The subject's name, Madame Gautreau, a
French beauty, was well known for her infidelities. This information
gave insight into the painting's name, Madame X. If she remains
nameless, then her immorality is more easily hidden. The painting is 7
feet tall, so it appears threatening to the viewer. I also found this
interesting. If a spouse has an affair, then the other partner feels
self conscious, inferior and “small” in comparison to the lover. In
addition, her pose and exposed skin, suggested for the time period, that
she possessed lose morals. Female clothing was form fitting, but the
revealing of any skin was considered inappropriate. The low neckline
indicated an “open invitation” to the audience that she was “selling
herself.” Her fair skin tone draws the viewer's eye to her breast,
which, of course, added to the sexual suggestiveness of the painting.
Basically, the audience felt that John Sargent had openly accepted and
was promoting her “profession.”
Through researching this work, I learned that John Sargent, a lonely,
quiet man,who never married, had developed a strong fascination for
Madame Gautreau. He wrote, “ I have a great desire to paint her portrait
and have reason to think she would allow it and is waiting for someone
to propose this homage to her beauty.” She willing accepted his
invitation, and they began working together; their work progressed to a
love affair. A friend commented regarding Sargent, “He seems to have
blossomed as an artist and as a man due to his painting of Madame X.”
Although I don't agree with his relationship with the subject,
understanding more about his association with her helped me to
understand his artistic intent and view the painting with a different
perspective. His relationship with her gave him a confidence that he had
previously not possessed. He wanted to share her beauty and the effect
it had on him with others, not in a demeaning or inappropriate
fashion, but in a way that expressed his passion for her. The choice to
paint her profile also suggests that he wanted to keep some of her to
himself; that he did not want to reveal of her to his audience. Her
scandalous reputation did not work well with his chosen pose, nor with
her bare skin, but at the same time, I believe he captured the woman
that he loved.
