#ArtBloggers

[arthistoriansdiary]

Olympia

Édouard Manet, Olympia (1863). Oil on canvas, 130.5 cm x 190 cm. Musée d'Orsay, Paris.

Édouard Manet's Olympia, painted in 1863, stands as a pivotal work in the history of art, not only for its radical departure from traditional representations of the female nude but also for its confrontation with societal norms and the role of women within them. This analysis explores Olympia in depth, highlighting its significance and the controversy it sparked upon its debut.

Olympia and the Challenge to Convention: Manet's Olympia depicts a nude woman, reclining, staring directly at the viewer with a confrontational gaze. Unlike the passive, idealized nudes of earlier artworks, Olympia's direct gaze and the presence of a black cat at her feet were seen as shocking. Her hand firmly covers her sexuality, not in a gesture of modesty, but as a display of control and autonomy. This portrayal was a stark contrast to the accepted depictions of female nudes as objects of male desire.

Comparison with Titian's Venus of Urbino: To fully appreciate Manet's revolutionary approach, one must consider Titian's Venus of Urbino (1534), a work that Manet referenced in Olympia. Titian's Venus, also reclining nude, engages the viewer with a softer gaze, her hand passively resting near her pelvis, surrounded by symbols of marital fidelity and domesticity. Unlike Olympia, Venus's environment and demeanour suggest an invitation rather than a confrontation. The comparison highlights Manet's departure from portraying the female subject as an object of desire to a figure of power and defiance.

The Name 'Olympia' and Its Implications: The name 'Olympia' itself was loaded with connotations. In the Paris of Manet's time, 'Olympia' was a name often associated with prostitutes, adding another layer of scandal to the painting's reception. This choice of name was not accidental; it was a deliberate commentary on the commodification of women's bodies and the blurred lines between respectability and sexuality in 19th-century society. By naming his subject 'Olympia', Manet directly challenged the viewer to confront their preconceptions and the societal norms dictating the representation and treatment of women.

Controversy and Legacy: Upon its exhibition, Olympia was met with outrage and ridicule, criticized for its "vulgar" subject matter and "unfinished" style. However, this criticism failed to recognize the depth of Manet's critique of societal and artistic norms. Today, Olympia is celebrated for its bold defiance of traditional art, its pivotal role in the development of modern art, and its complex commentary on gender, power, and the gaze.

Olympia's Glance: A 19th-Century Rebellion? In light of Olympia's unflinching gaze and assertive posture, how do you interpret her representation in the context of 19th-century societal expectations of women?

[2dye4neisha]

Quick Guide To Making Art Photos With The Holga Film Camera – Light Stalking

Quick Guide To Making Art Photos With The Holga Film Camera

[stochastique-blog]

I dont Understand...

Blackwoodsage, 2017 by Danny Rose. Enamel on canvas. 20 x 16in Stop by Jen Mauldin Gallery today to see more works by #dannyrose #artbloggers #earthtone #artofday #blackwood #sage #dallascontemporaryart #interiorstyling #instadeco #interiordecorate #newhome #townandcountry #contemporaryart #landscapeabstract (at Bishop Arts District)

[christophermtaylor]

Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle

[aoloieruarchive]

[wovium]

A little doodle from last night ^^

[michelangelob]

Michelangelo 550: Io dipinto da Francisco de Hollanda

In occasione dell’anno in cui si celebra l’anniversario del mio 550 compleanno, voglio proporvi il dipinto che mi ritrae, realizzato da Francisco de Hollanda. Si tratta di un prezioso acquerello custodito nell’archivio di Casa Buonarroti che mi mostra in una veste più domestica e meno idealizzata rispetto ad altri ritratti che vi ho mostrato fino al momento. All’epoca avevo più di sessant’anni…

[tamarajare]

Still life with Strawflowers Bouquet and Plate of Fruit, Tamara Jare,

Still life with Strawflowers Bouquet and Plate of Fruit, Tamara Jare,

oil on canvas painting, 27.5 W x 31.5 H x 0.7 D in

This item will ship flat in a sturdy, well-protected cardboard box. We work with our artists every step of the way to ensure artworks are shipped according to our very high standards. Expect your artwork to arrive with plenty of support packaged in to make its journey as safe as possible as it travels from the artist’s studio to your home.

[purpleellaandcoco]

Practising aspects of drawing a person

[dirtytimeslut]

Molly Haynes, Changeling, 2023

Kenaf fiber and monofilament

[lagallery-art]

Nuevo blog de lagallery.art, conoce mas de la marca e inspírate a través de nuestros artículos, acá esta nuestro primer articulo del blog, en el siguiente link.

(vía Lagallery.art Una marca colorida)

[arthistoriansdiary]

Ophelia

Sarah Bernhardt, Ophelia (n.d.). White marble in a wood frame, 70 x 59 cm. Private collection, Normandy, France.

In the realm of art and literature, few scenes are as hauntingly captivating as Ophelia's tragic demise in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. Sarah Bernhardt, celebrated for her unparalleled prowess on the stage, extends her artistic expression into the medium of sculpture with her rendition of Ophelia. This piece, a rare surviving work signed by Bernhardt, offers a unique visual exploration of one of literature's most poignant figures.

A Fusion of Art and Tragedy:

Bernhardt's Ophelia is not merely a sculptural representation; it is a narrative frozen in marble. Inspired by Shakespeare's vivid depiction of Ophelia's final moments, Bernhardt captures the essence of the character's tragic end through the medium of high relief. The sculpture portrays Ophelia in a bust form, her head elegantly turned, eyes closed, as if in peaceful resignation to her fate.

The Garland of Flowers:

Adorned with a garland of flowers, the sculpture's Ophelia is enveloped by water that seamlessly merges with her tresses. Bernhardt’s attention to detail is manifest in the intricately carved flowers and the delicate waves of the 'glassy stream', creating a texture that contrasts strikingly with the smooth, bulging form of Ophelia's exposed breast. This duality of texture highlights the sculpture's technical mastery and artistic depth.

A Moment Between Life and Death:

Though depicted at the moment of her death, Bernhardt's Ophelia exudes an undeniable eroticism through her sensuous open-mouthed expression, overt nudity, and languid pose. This portrayal suggests not despair but an ecstatic consummation, presenting death not as a moment of loss but as a profound, albeit tragic, fulfillment. It's a bold interpretation that challenges traditional readings of Ophelia's character, suggesting a deeper, perhaps more complex relationship between the heroine and her fate.

Bernhardt's Artistic Legacy:

Sarah Bernhardt's Ophelia stands as a testament to her multifaceted talent and her ability to traverse the worlds of acting and sculpture with equal finesse. The sculpture serves not only as a memorial to Ophelia's tragic story but also as a reflection of Bernhardt's own interpretive genius and her capacity to imbue marble with the breath of life and emotion.

Reflecting on Ophelia:

In Bernhardt's Ophelia, we are invited to reconsider the narrative of the doomed heroine, seeing her not as a victim of circumstance but as a figure of complex emotional and existential depth. The sculpture asks us to ponder the thin line between life and death, the beauty found in the tragic end, and the eternal resonance of Shakespeare's work through the lens of Bernhardt's sculptural vision.

Your Perspective:

How does Sarah Bernhardt's sculptural interpretation of Ophelia challenge or enrich your understanding of the character? Does this portrayal alter your perception of Ophelia's final moments as an act of despair or an embrace of the inevitable?

[2dye4neisha]

Artist Quote

Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.” – Pablo Picasso

[thepriyankaarthouse]

hey beautiful souls !

How are all of you? I hope will be good...

So today we will talk about the traditional painting of Rajasthan.

Every place has its own story, every story, and every place has its own identity. every place has its traditional painting.

Rajasthan where does call dharti -dhora -ri .

Rajasthan famous for the pink city, blue city,sun city...Here Krishna Leela painting, Rag-Ragini, Hunting, elephantt fighting.

Here a different identity has been made in the human painting, which can be recognized by looking at the painting here. In which the description of women's dresses and their clothes are given.

Various styles developed under the royal patronage of Rajasthan. From the 15 to 17 centuries, it reached its glory peak. Many pictures of Rajasthan places are famous, mostly nine styles of painting famous in Rajasthan..

I will tell you about the names

(1) Phad painting

(2) Miniature painting

(3) Gemstone painting

(4) Kajali painting

(5) pichwai painting

(6) Bhitti Chitra painting

(7) Kishangarh painting

(8) Sanjhi Painting

(9) Bani Thani's painting.

If you like my blog so please like , comments and share with your friends and relatives.

[wysoh]

Being an artist can be pretty amazing. 🖌️🎨 You get all these wonderful ideas and spend the day daydreaming about them. For you to do your best you need to be in the zone, feel good, inspired, and focused. .......... Read More in our article “ Overcoming Creative Block ” 🎙️ To see more of what we are up to lately visit www.oursimplearts.com   Twitter   Pinterest   Facebook  Ello  Instagram   DeviantArt   TikTok

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