Hi guys!
I am the new Art History blogger for Where Creativity Works. I’m very excited to be writing about art! This week I want to give a brief introduction about myself and some artworks that are worth noting.
My favorite type of medium is paint. There’s something about the way colors can be expressed in a painting that attracts my attention. Also, it amazes me how artists are able to create elaborate details with just a brush and paint. Along with this, I love Medieval and Renaissance art. I enjoy Medieval art because it deals with many religious topics. Also, I like Renaissance art because the artworks usually have a polished quality in their appearances.
Here are two artworks and one artist that I briefly want to talk about:
Rogier van der Weyden, Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin, 1435-40
Image from Museum of Fine Arts
Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin is one of the earlier works from the Renaissance era. This painting is one of the first works that made me interested in Art History. Simply look at the perspective! There’s a real sense of depth, making the viewer feel like they are a part of this scene. Additionally, the background is meant to show a Flemish town, and looking closely you could see almost every detail clearly.
Robert Campin, Mérode Altarpiece, 1425-28
Image from The Metropolitan Museum
Another one of my favorite paintings is Mérode Altarpiece. This painting shows the Annunciation of Holy Mary. In the center panel, Archangel Gabriel has arrived to tell Mary she will soon be pregnant with the Son of God. The left panel shows the patrons of this artwork kneeling and witnessing this Holy scene. In the right panel, Joseph, Mary’s soon-to-be husband, is working hard. One of my favorite elements of this image is the flying baby Jesus in the center panel near the circular windows. Another element that’s fascinating is the use of color, which is seen in Joseph’s vibrant dark blue headwrap, Gabriel’s plain blue gown, and Mary’s stunning red gown.
Diego Velázquez, 1599 – 1660
An artist worth knowing is Velázquez. Since the moment I was introduced to his work, I have been shocked by his talent. Just looking at The Waterseller of Seville, there is many extensive and remarkable details to see. One of these details is the realism of the glass cup. It looks like actual glass! Also, Velazquez created this when he was only twenty-one years old (so young!).
Lastly, Las Meninas was completed for King Philip IV of Spain. It was meant to be a portrait of King Philip IV’s children. Velázquez not only created this painting through the point of view of the parents (look at the mirror in the back to see the parents’ reflection), but he also included himself in the work. He created Las Meninas with himself in the artwork, and in the artwork he is painting the same picture! This man is a genius.
I hope you guys enjoyed this! If there’s anything that anyone’s interested in me talking about, leave a reply below!
