Art 200x: Explorations in Art

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Early Modern Era: The Visual Artists of the Harlem Renaissance

- November 08, 2022

The Harlem Renaissance (1920's - 1930's) was a period of cross-disciplinary artistic revolution among African Americans following the end of World War I and into the onset of the Great Depression. Originally referred to as the "New Negro" movement, a nod to Alain LeRoy Locke's The New Negro (1925), an anthology which sought to inspire an African-American culture based in pride and self-dependence. With an emphasis on black identity, a rising consciousness of social inequality and discrimination, and the rapid technological innovations of the age, the artists of the era would heavily influence visual arts, music, dance, theater and literature. First occupied by Native Americans and settled by the Dutch in the early 1600’s, Harlem was originally farmland that was developed for large estates and settlements until the late 19th century. Although African Americans have lived in Harlem since the 1630’s, the early 20th century saw the Great Migration which would

Preferences and Perspectives - The Romantic Era

- November 04, 2022

Romanticism Gaining momentum in France and Britain in the early decades of the nineteenth century, R omanticism emerged as a response to the disillusionment with the Enlightenment values in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Prior to its arrival , Neoclassicism dominated 18th-century European art, having a focus on classical subject matter, an interest in aesthetic austerity, and ideas in line with the Enlightenment , a movement that placed high emphasis on the individual through a more objective lens. Romanticism would, in turn, view and capture (or more so , idealize) the human experience with more emotional undertone. Morning by Philipp Otto Runge , 1808 Runge's Morning is perfectly symmetrical in the positioning of the cherubs around the soul of the child lying in the centre foreground. The scene is animated by a wide range of color and light contrast. These are used to communicate the recent arrival of the soul, as if it were happening in sync with the sunrise. The

Baroque Analysis: Caravaggio's Ecce Homo

- October 13, 2022

In the Gospel of John, 19:5, Pontius Pilate displays Christ to the crowd with the words "Ecce homo!", meaning "behold the man". In this scene taken from the New Testament, Christ is shown wearing a crown of thorns, and is being mockingly robed like a king by his tormentors. Caravaggio's depiction of the scene was commissioned by Cardinal Massimo Massimi as part of an unannounced contest between three artists. The contract for the commission of Ecce Homo was signed June 25, 1605 and was intended to have been delivered by August of the same year, but it is still undetermined if the painting was delivered on time to the Cardinal, as Caravaggio would find himself in some legal trouble towards the end of the summer he had been commissioned. Painted in oil on canvas, as were most of his work, Caravaggio is credited with having heavily influence on the Baroque style with his extremely naturalistic depictions of biblical stories. Today, the piece is housed in the P

Art Analysis: David LaChapelle's After the Deluge: Statue

- September 20, 2022

After the Deluge: Statue by David LaChapelle, 2007. It's truly my belief that no piece of art can be fully understood without some sort of an understanding for its creator, and David LaChapelle's work is no different. A renowned portrait photographer, LaChapelle is well known for his highly saturated, intricate, expensive, and at (many) times, erotic portrayals of icons in American pop culture. Some notable collaborations include, but are far from limited to: Tupac Shakur, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, David Bowie, Mariah Carey and Hillary Clinton. LaChapelle's work as a portfolio has inspired me a lot, and his style and vision is definitely something to be studied. Mariah Carey, 1999. Tupac Shakur, 1996. Britney Spears, 2000. LaChapelle's After the Deluge series becomes even more interesting when we recognize it as a departure from portraiture. Allegedly, LaCh

About Me

- September 08, 2022

Hello, world! My name is Owen Kelly, and I am a 20 year old Psychology major living in Anchorage, Alaska. Despite having a lifelong draw towards art, I've somehow neglected to take an art class beyond elementary school in my now fourteen year long academic career. I'm excited to document my christening experience through this blog, and be able to share and understand your experiences too. I really look forward to learning and creating with you all! Aya Takano, The World in Two Hundred Years, 2017, oil on canvas So much of my daily life is the consumption and appreciation of art. Even when you don't recognize it, so much consideration has gone into the design of every facet of human life. Art is the clothing you find at a thrift store, and the scratched Fergie CD in your mom's center console. The sunset photos you share to Instagram and the LEGO set in your little brother's room. I try to express myself and my creativity through every avenue possible. I l