Impressions of Ancient Greece and Roman

Illustration for different between Roman and Greece (credit to Google)

I knew several mythological gods; statues and architectural building, but that confused me whether belongs to ancient Greece or Roman. 

As always, many times I mixed up the different between Zeus and Jupiter; Poseidon and Neptune; Hades and Pluto; and Hermes and Mercury. 

Then, in term of statues; the beauty, medium and heroic quality of Greece and Rome sculptures looks the same for me. 

In respect to architectural buildings, since they were characterized by pillars to support in front roof, I thought they are exactly similar in size and style.

However, recently, my impression is quite little bit changes in ancient culture. I understand now that Romans assimilated Greece in many ways (aspects) due to their long time to occupy the Greece. 

Even though, as conquerors, Roman structures and paintings have strong human values. In addition to totally copy of Greece, then Romans has their own conception too. They also combine the Greek and their own arts. 

As an early stage of understanding art history, I myself feel that Parthenon and Pantheon have helped my changed of thought to ancient Greece and Roman cultures.

Both architectural buildings have similarities in term of initial function and number of columns in front of the entrance. 

Some of different that the building is the Pantheon for serving many gods, while Parthenon for one god only, Athena; and the Parthenon is a rectangular form, while Pantheon is built in a spherical structure.

What do you know about different between Roman and Greece?

What is Painting Stylistic of Rococo?

Sample of Rococo painting, Vladimir Hozatski

Rococo is style of late Baroque which emerged in Paris, France in 18^th century. The Rococo style was result of responding to grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of Baroque art.

The word Rococo came from word “rocaille” of French to do decoration by “shell-covered rock.” The Rococo was characterized by curving lines and lightness. It always depicts love, nature and youth.

Then, Rococo influenced other arts such as interior design, decoration, literature, music, theater, painting, sculpture and architecture. The style was spreading from France to Germany, Austria and all over the Europe.

“La Surprise,” painted by Jean Antoine Watteau (Source: Trapasso, 2013)

As suggested by Trapasso (2013) that the father of Rococo style in painting was Jean Antoine Watteau (French, 1684–1721). His painting depicted the daily life of Flanders and the Netherlands. His painting called “La Surprise” could be seen at above Figure.

The style emerged due to many factors, they are including corrections to former restricted styles; respond to another religious reform; challenge to backdrop of social and political stabilities; and follow to development in science and technology.

The three prominent styles that had been emerged in art history, namely Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo. These styles had their own uniqueness and characters. Many well-known artists come from this period whom contributed to world painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, music, design interior, theater and philosophy.

Reference

Trapasso, E. 2013. A Brief History of Rococo Art. Retrieved from

https://news.artnet.com/market/a-brief-history-of-rococo-art-32790

What is Painting Stylistic of Baroque?

Figure-01- One of Baroque style of art, painted by Caravaggio, credit to WUBR

Baroque style started in around 1600 in Rome, Italy, then spread to Europe continent. 

The style was initiated by the Catholic Church to respond to the Protestant reformation, where the style had to be:

- more forceful

- more emotional

- a greater realism.

Then, Baroque style influenced artists in painting, sculpture and architecture a cross Europe.

Art Encyclopedia (2016) listed prominent artists of Baroque style, some of painting artists are:

- Diego Velazquez

- Rembrandt

- Caravaggio

- Carlo Maratta

Figure-02- a Caravaggio painting

Among sculpture artists are:

- Giovanni Bernini

- Juan Martines Montanes

- Jorg Zurn

Famous artists of Baroque style in the field of architecture are:

- Christopher Wren

- John Vanbrugh

- Balthasar Neumann

Figure-03- Another Caravaggio painting

We could see the examples of painting from Caravaggio as one of Baroque artists (please see Figure 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05).

Caravaggio is nickname for Michelangelo Merisi who developed Baroque in style form known as “lights and dark.” The style was developed in 1600’s as the mark of ending of Renaissance style era.

Figure-04- Girl and fruits, painted by Caravaggio

The Caravaggio paintings are characterized by darkness as background, and then spot light on the figures.

As of above paintings and below one, we don’t see architectures, landscapes or views as background. We just see man, woman, girl, boy, animal or fruit as spot figures.

Figure-05- Boy and an animal, painted by Caravaggio

Caravaggio's style was not very accepted, especially from religious communities in Italy, because his models are coming from common people such as from street, farming or brothels.

His style influenced over European artists includes Spanish, Dutch and French at early times. Then, respected by Italian artists of next generations.

Reference

Art Encyclopedia. 2016. Baroque Art. Retrieved from  http://www.visual-arts-

cork.com/history-of-art/baroque.htm....

Painting Stylistic of Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo (Part-1)

We may hear the word of “revolution” or dramatic changes in every aspect of life: social, political, cultural, science and technology, and even work of arts. Uniquely, artists, in many cases, respond to their environment conditions to change their own works. New style born to correct old one or to anticipate unseen future change of mankind behaviors.

Figure. One of most famous painting by Raphael created in 1511 

In history, there were important periods of stylistic, namely Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo. Cranmer (2015) described the different of these periods with manners. Renaissance was seen as individualism, naturalism and detail of work of art. Then, Baroque has characters of exaggerated motion, clear, and ornate details. The period of Rococo was characterized by more light, florid, and graceful compare to Baroque and Renaissance.

Scientific knowledge is one of important factors to create style or art work that distinguish one period to other periods. It is noted that inventions and discoveries by scientists have supported the artists’ eagerness to capture the changing colors of light and shadow in their work of arts. Thus, new version of art may be born. 

Another Raphael painting, Pope Julius II

Renaissance art emerged in Italy around 14^th century. Actually, Renaissance art occurred in two antagonist situations; one side there were backdrop in political stabilities; but on other side, there were the development of new technologies. Thus, Renaissance art parallel to flowering with the printing press; understanding of a new system of astronomy; the discovery and exploration of new continents; and philosophy, music and literature progress.

The stars of Renaissance artists are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Of these three, Raphael was known as great masters in depicting realistic of life. Anirudh (2014) recorded 10 most famous paintings by Raphael. At the top was titled “The School of Athens” (Please see Figure at above).

References
Anirudh. 2014. 10 Most Famous Paintings by Raphael. Retrieved from https://learnodo-newtonic.com/raphael-famous-paintings
Cranmer, I. 2015. Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/-wg-qbqefhip/middle-ages-renaissance-baroque-rococo-and-neoclassical/