Italian Renaissance

I love the idea of a competition for artists and architects. I know it is still done in modern times though you don't hear about it much unless it's something of national importance like the Viet Nam War Memorial or Daniel Libeskind's building which is to replace the World Trade Center.

Vietnam War Memorial arial view

Rendering of Libeskind's "Freedom Tower "

I wanted to see the other 12 of the 14 sculptures commissioned to fill the niches at Orsanmichele. I found this website where you can see them all: http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/orsanmichele.html

The sculptures of many of the saints are remeniscent of sculptures of the gods of Greek and Roman mythology. The size and shape of their bodies and faces reflect the ideal man or woman (in the one female example, St. Mary.) in the minds of time. Still, the faces of the saints appear highly individualistic. Each one has his or her own personality.

Flemish Portraiture

Here's a painting by Petrus Christus that wasn't in the book. It is Portrait of a Young Girl. I think it exemplifies Flemish portraiture of the time period because the subject appears wealthy but humble and modest. Christus used a humanistic approach by showing emotion in her face and the expression allows her personality to come through by appearing a bit pouty. The book states that, "the outward gaze of the subject is new in portraiture, and it suggests the subject's increased sense of self-confidence as (s)he catches the viewer's eye." I think she looks a lot like the subject of Portrait of a Lady by Rogier van der Weyden. I love both paintings. They almost seem like mother and daughter.

Self-portrait

This is Self-Portrait With Two Pupils by Adelaide Labille-Guiard. I picked this painting out of the book because it represents best what I admire so much about paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. I love the skill artists had then with portraying light and shadow, textures and faces although they may be somewhat idealized.

Portrait of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler

This is Picasso's Portrait of Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler. I believe this is a good example of abstract or non-representational art. One of the best things in life, in my opinion, is being shown a different way of looking at life, whether it's through philosophy, spirituality, art or even a stand-up comic. Picasso definitely had a different point of view of the world. Also, the style of this painting and some of his others seem to foreshadow industrial art which has a stark, almost dismal quality that I find intriguing.

Dreaming Horse

This is Dreaming Horse by Franz Marc. Marc was a part of the German Expressionism movement. This painting along with many others by Marc certainly evokes an emotional response from me. I feel that he is one of the best at capturing the essence of his subjects, especially animals. As I am a great lover of animals, his paintings touch me deeply.