Impressionism Culture and Society……………………1

Le Marche Aux Esclaves……………………………………2

Before the Races………………………………………………3

The Card Players………………………………………………5

Romanticism & Realism Culture………………………6

The Intervention of The Sabine Women……………7

A Burial At Ornans……………………………………………8

Bibliography……………………………………………………9

Table Of Contents

Impressionism

  Impressionism came to light around the early 1860s; the movement was formed with the intention of creating works that focused on many different techniques and is mainly concentrated on light and the form of shapes, objects and bodies in general. Reality/ Realism was not the focus of the movement but instead the artists created a some what impression of what they saw. Instead of concentrating on Detail and realism, the artists or “Fauves” wanted to demonstrate and create a use of light, form and technique . Many artists such as Monet, Courbet and Cezanne were the main leaders in the creating and developing the impressionist movement; some were even credited as the true inventors of the movement itself. Around 1860, classic and Modern art was still incredibly popular. Normal portraits, detailed landscapes and classical paintings in general were “all the rage” and when Impressionism came to the scene a lack of respect was shown. Only later throughout history did the Impressionist Movement truly create its mark on artistic history.

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Artist: Jean-Leon GeromePainting: Le Marche aux Esclaves (1884)Size: 84,8cm x 63,5cmMovement: VerticalMaterials: Oil on CanvasLocation: Clark Art Institute

The world-renowned painter Jean-Leon Gerome painted Le Marche Aux Esclaves in 1884. The painting depicts a story of slavery, greed and overall in-humanitarianism. At the time, Slavery was a great source of profit in many continents, including Western Asia, North Africa, East Africa and certain parts of Europe. Referred to as the “Oriental Slave Trade”, the painting draws most of its inspiration from one of histories most tragic situations/events. The painting is a testament to impressionist technique and many of its influence draws from past artists. Using line work in most of the fine details like clothing and foreground objects, the paintings maintain its Impressionistic integrity as the background shows serious qualities of the movement. The Light is surprisingly warm for such a timid and dark scenario. The light captures your eyes and brings you up close to the main subject, the nude woman being observed by men. The colors used are very vibrant and light, colors like green; red and yellow are used in the clothing of the men. The texture of the painting is very smooth, the characters involved and the surroundings are very detailed yet the total atmosphere and composition has a very smooth and delicate feel about it. When looking at the painting a sense of darkness overcomes you as the mood creates a certain feel of disgust. The painting is an extremely dark and unfortunate tail that really digs into your soul, the overall feel of it is certainly difficult to explain without seeing it up-close.

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Edgar&degas&began&painting&"before&the&Race"&in&1882&and&later&finished&it&2&years&later&in&1884.&The&painting,&once&a&modern&day&masterpiece&still&holds&true&today&as&one&of&history’s&greatest&impressionist&paintings.&&Held&at&The&Walters&Art&Museum,&"Before&the&Race&“is&one&of&its&greatest&attractions.&Being&one&of&Degas&most&well&known&works,&makes&the&painting&an&overall,&must&see.&&Texture&is&found&throughout&the&plains&of&grass,&a&smooth&looking&piece&of&art&with&blurry&and&some&what&frenzied&brush&strokes&makes&the&painting&not&only&part&of&the&Impressionist&movement&but&creates&an&overall&unique&texture.&Line&work&is&seen&in&subtle&details&within&the&horses&faces,&men’s&clothing&and&blades&of&grass.&Though&the&brush&strokes&are&thick&and&somewhat&unclear,&line&work&is&still&present&and&visible&throughout.&A&sense&of&warmth&is&felt&throuhout&the&painting&as&bold&and&warm&colors&are&used&in&every&aspect.&The&colors&of&fall&come&to&mind&when&looking&at&the&vivid&oranges,&browns&and&greens.&&The&overall&tone&of&the&painting&is&bright,&which&makes&sense&considering&it’s&the&start&of&the&race&and&daylight&is&key.&The&painting&is&of&the&landscape&nature,&using&the&landscape&as&its&background&and&the&horsemen&as&its&foreground.&Using&a&horizontal&movement,&the&direction&of&the&painting&allows&us&to&view&more&of&the&landscape,&which&makes&the&foreground&stand&out&so&much&more.&The&painting&is&quite&small,&which&makes&the&subtle&deatialswithin&more&and&more&impressive.&Shapes&within&the&painting&are&found&inside&the&bodies&of&both&men&and&animals.&Before&the&Race&does&not&base&its&importance&off&of&technique&but&off&of&its&influence&on&todays&artist.&The&impressionist&movement&is&one&of&histories&most&important&movements&and&Before&the&Race&is&definetly&a&masterpiece.&

Edgar degas began painting "before the Race" in 1882 and later finished it 2 years later in 1884. The painting, once a modern day masterpiece still holds true today as one of history’s greatest impressionist paintings. Held at The Walters Art Museum, "Before the Race “is one of its greatest attractions. Being one of Degas most well known works, makes the painting an overall, must see. Texture is found throughout the plains of grass, a smooth looking piece of art with blurry and some what frenzied brush strokes makes the painting not only part of the Impressionist movement but creates an overall unique texture. Line work is seen in subtle details within the horses faces, men’s clothing and blades of

grass. Though the brush strokes are thick and somewhat unclear, line work is still present and visible throughout. A sense of warmth is felt throughout the painting as bold and warm colors are used in every aspect. The colors of fall come to mind when looking at the vivid oranges, browns and greens. The overall tone of the painting is bright, which makes sense considering it’s the start of the race and daylight is key. The painting is of the landscape nature, using the landscape as its background and the horsemen as its foreground. Using a horizontal movement, the direction of the painting allows us to view more of the landscape, which makes the

foreground stand out so much more. The painting is quite small, which makes the subtle details within more and more impressive. Shapes within the painting are found inside the bodies of both men and animals. Before the Race does not base its importance off of technique but off of its influence on todays artist. The impressionist movement is one of histories most important movements and Before the Race is definitely a masterpiece.

Artist: Edgar DegasPainting: 1882-1884Size: 26.5 x 63.5"Movement: HorizontalMaterials: Oil on CanvasLocation: Sterling And Francine Clark Institute

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Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.-Edgar Degas

Artist: paul CezannePainting: The Card PLayers 1890-1892Size: 17 3/4 x 22 1/2Movement: HorizontalMaterials: Oil on CanvasLocation: Musee d'Orsay

The Card Players was created by Paul Cezanne in 1890 and finished in 1892. The painting depicts two men sitting down, one across from another seemingly enjoying a game of cards. Part of the “bathers” collection, The painting is one of the most sought after works of art in the world and was recently just sold for millions of dollars. Thick black smudges of black, green and blue paint are placed together to add a somewhat gross and grimy texture to the background of the painting. Although, the painting has a darkish tone to it, most of the colors used really are very light. The mood of the painting is one of concentration, both men facing their cards in preparation for the next move. The painting maintains a very square composition with both men and table being the center focus, shapes are found within the composition in locations like the foreground and background. When looking at this painting you really have to admire the oh-so Impressionistic technique Cezanne uses. Whether it’s delicate brush strokes or slopped on, the paintings still seem to maintain the detail and structural magnificents of an impressionistic work of art.

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Romanticism & Realism

Beginning in France; the realist movement began around 1850. Creating a diverse array of paintings, realist artist sought to challenge the perspectives and work of the romanticism movement. Romanticism was a movement that dominated arts and literature during the late 18th century. When the realist movement came into light, the photographic quality of paintings shocked many just as it would today. Although some realist paintings were photo realistic or by their standards just "realistic", realism wasn’t the only quality of a good realist work of art. A story, a real story was the main focus of concentration for many artists when creating a piece of art during the 1850s.A sense of tyranny swept over the many as culture at the time was based off of revolution, not only from war aspect but as an industrial aspect. Technology was advancing and so was an artist’s technique, influences from society and modern day advancements set a tone for artist’s works. I can really appreciate the realism movement; the overall tone of its work really impresses me and its use of truthful story line really creates a deep mood and thought process. During the late 18th century, the romanticism movement swept through the art community embracing visual production, literature and sculptures. By using human emotion as its main focus, the movement created a vast sense of interest throughout the artistic community. Being used as revolt against previous movements of art, the romanticism movement was greatly influenced by challenging the social and political mindset. Along side the industrial revolution, the romanticism movement was influenced by the advancements in society and sought to either deconstruct the situations of create a mood of enlightenment. Once again, emphasizing qualities such as horror, awe and terror created an emotional sense of intrigue that drew many in. however the new emotions the paintings provoked created a certain angst that chased people away. A lot comes to mind when thinking about this awe inspiring movement, words like "powerful" "importance" "artificial" and "expression" are thrown out quickly when looking at a piece of art or literature from the romanticism era. Horror has always interested me. However when looking at pieces or literature and art from the romanticism movement, the usual terror we are used to seeing today is completely different. The romanticism movement truly gets into your head and makes you think, it challenges you perspectives and creates an ultimate feeling of disgust within yourself.

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Artist: Jaques-Louis DavidePainting: The Intervention of The Sabine Women 1799Size: 12 feet 8” x 17 feet ¾”Movement: HorizontalMaterials: Oil on CanvasLocation: The Louvre

Influenced by an era of terror, Jacque-Louis Davide painted “The Intervention of The Sabine Women” with the intention of demonstrating the heartache of the civil conflict between France and other European nations. The panting is filled with bold color, movement and deep expression. As war breaks out, violence, havoc and an overall sense of terror sweep over. Center of the painting stands a woman, arms out as if trying to stop the surrounding violence. Wearing nothing but white, the woman gives off a sense of neutrality, innocence and peacefulness. When taking a closer look, children are scattered throughout the painting. The innocence of child being abruptly brought to the light of war can completely influence them and their society. The mood of the painting is very sad, yet a sense of warmth comes from the lighting surrounding the composition. The painting is horizontal, making the composition easier to process when looking at all the details involved. Line work is found within the clothing, architecture and fine details within the structures of the bodies and faces. Romanticism really embraces your emotions and creates a very dark mood within you; the painting itself really conforms to the standards of the romanticism movement.

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Artist: Gustave CourbetPainting: A Burial At Ornans 1849-1850Size: 10”3 ½ x 21’9”Movement: HorizontalMaterials: Oil on CanvasLocation: Musee d’Orsay

Painted in 1849 and finished in 1850, Gustave Courbet created “A Burial at Ornans” in hope of recreating a scenario, which involved the passing of his Great-Uncle. Though, that may be one of the reasons, deeper issues and social problems influenced this painting greatly. Embodying realistic scenarios and creating vivid dark tones throughout the painting gave Gustave Courbet a few problems within the artistic community. Known for its twisted realism, the Bourgeois felt insulted which earn Courbet a name in the realism movement. A lot is happening within the painting, fine details are added throughout along with specially placed scenarios within. As many gather around the funeral site, one must notice how casual some people look. Courbet added many different types of people and objects as a way of creating deeper thought and emotion into the painting. In the background, besides the illuminating sky and greenish-yellow landscape is a crucified Jesus perched onto of a hill. The only true brightness of the painting would be the dog that adds a sense of mystery to the painting. Fine lines are added throughout the painting, once again shown within the details of the clothes, faces and even back ground. I felt very intrigued by Courbet’s realism paintings, the sense of emotion it provoked is something I have never felt before. The overall mood of the painting really triggers deeper thoughts in yourself.

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http://lesiksarthistory.blogspot.ca/2012/04/burial-­‐at-­‐ornans.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanticism

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realism_(arts)

http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/realism/realism1.html

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/glo/impressionism/

http://www.impressionism.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KM97eeshRs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJthUa536Hw

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