The Changing Faces of the Artist's Role in Society
The Changing Faces of the Artist's Role in Society The evolution of art over the span of centuries and the changing notion of the artist's place in society can be seen in the comparison of two very different works by two different artists. Impressions of who the artist was and what they contributed to society were transformed; and with the development of advanced techniques in media and style, art in general evolved from decorative objects made by skilled craftsmen to philosophical masterpieces with important messages by men who were deemed elitist intellectuals. Therefore, society's perception of artists in the past and modern discernment of the artist are two drastically different concepts. During the Italian Renaissance, (1300-1600, roughly) transformation of artistic styles occurred and different philosophical concepts were beginning to emerge. Painters were beginning to make the transition from craftsmen to philosophers. The first work I chose to contrast and compare is 'The Crucifixion with saints, ' c. 1400 by Paolo Di Giovanni Fei, a reference to the Biblical annunciation scene when Gabriel announces to Mary the incarnation of Jesus. The work is a triptych, done in tempera and gold leaf on wood panel. As said i
It is a magnified image of the artist's face, gridded in a map of hundreds of small squares which are individually etched and cross-etched in white ink. It was created before the discovery of perspective in painting, where mathematical devices were used to create a 3 dimensional appearance within a 2 dimensional space, or the breakthrough of oil painting, which allowed the painter infinitely more freedom in using new ideas and creating realistic, lifelike paintings. The print is done in white ink on black paper, which is a reversal of the typical use of black ink on white paper. The advanced mechanisms now used to create such convincing representations of reality didn't exist during the 14th century, and the subject matter of art of course has changed along with the years and the advancing technology. These elements were critical in the evolution of painting, and artist's growing esteem by society as philosophers. The finished effect is almost like an optical illusion; the viewer's attention fluctuates between the surface pattern of and the overall picture, which can only be clearly read from a distance. By uncannily rendering the human face through illusionistic techniques he is not only creating a "self-portrait" (in the general sense of depicting himself accurately on paper) but challenging the viewer's perception of reality through use of distortion, and thereby generating a unique form of hyper-realist yet illusionary art. The triptych was one of the two principle types of artwork at the time; which were altarpieces and frescoes. Close uses the face for pictorial rather than psychological exploration, although the results are inevitably revealing. The artist's role, too has adjusted in society along with the tools they use. " Hence, we can observe that through portraiture Close is attempting to use the human face (which he calls "the road map of life") as a mode of cre!ative expression. Hence, we can determine through the observation of two works of art from two different time periods the way that art and the role of the artist has evolved over the years. Commissioners of paintings spent most of their money on materials for painting rather than compensating the painter; expensive components like gold and ultramarine blue were sought after. It seems as technique continues to advance, the artist's position as creator becomes more venerated, and the limits to their creative freedom are boundless. Art at the time primarily depicted religious scenes; altarpieces were always dedicated to a saint, and fresco paintings were used to represent biblical scenes to the illiterate.
Common topics in this essay:
Art Museum,
Chuck Close,
Portrait/White Ink',
Role Society,
Italian Renaissance,
Giovanni Fei,
14th century,
Chuck Close's,
'self portrait/white ink',
close's 'self portrait/white,
portrait/white ink',
close's 'self,
creative freedom,
philosophers chose,
'the crucifixion,
artist's role,
'self portrait/white,
white ink,
biblical scenes,
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Acceptance Essays
