My website!
I added some things & updated others!
Pierre Auguste Renoir, Jeanne Samary in a Low-Necked Dress, 1877, oil on canvas
Now, I am by no means a Renoir fan. I think the way he depicts people always happy and smiling, dancing around like fools, is a little unbelievable. However, this woman struck me when I saw her. Her eyes are so peaceful and the soft colors really speak to me.
Ancient Near Eastern Art
As I just said, this is one of my favorite genres of art. Mostly utilitarian in nature, the pieces reflect a deep passion for religion as well as rich colors and media. Ancient Near Eastern art encompasses many different regions and styles, but the focus of this genre lies mainly in Iran & Iraq. Here is an interesting website about ancient Iraqi art.
“Music must have been an important part of life and death for Ur’s ancient inhabitants. Eleven stringed instruments were found in the Royal Cemetery.
This lyre was one of the largest found in the cemetery, and its head is from the largest animal — a bearded bull. The majority of the instrument is restored to match the representation of a lyre on the inlaid panel on the front. That panel and the bull’s head were the only intact pieces remaining as the wood had long ago rotted away! This head was made of gold and lapis lazuli. Even though many objects of gold were buried in the Royal Tombs, it was a rare and expensive material and as little of it as possible was used. The whites of the bull’s eyes are made of shell, the irises of lapis lazuli and its beard is made of lapis lazuli set into a silver backing.”
Kneeling bull holding a spouted vessel, 3100–2900 B.C., silver, Southwestern Iran
Ancient Iranian work is beautiful in every way. It is without a doubt one of my most favorite periods to study.
Grant Wood, 1930, Oil on canvas.
Study this painting, learn about it - there is more than meets the eye. It’s like the American Mona Lisa.
Picasso, Guernica, 1937, Oil on canvas, Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid
