vendredi 30 janvier 2015

Beauty Behind The Figurative And Genre Art

By Janine Hughes


One of the things that speaks highly of a societys identity are the artworks that are produced from the place. As a form of expression, they do not only embody the thoughts of the artist. They are also great symbolism of the culture and traditions that are passed by from generations to generations.

Da Vinci, Picasso, and all other great artist of their times may no longer be present to witness the advancements of our society. But their works which embody their era surely remain popular. Figurative and genre art are among the classification that stood proud until today. Many works including paintings and sculptures remain an attraction and inspiration for modern day artists.

These two genres can sometimes be used interchangeable. After all, they both reflect daily life and practices of the people. But while genre deals a lot with clear manifestations like the Peasant Dance by Pieter Brueghel in 1568, figurative can present abstractions from the real thing. A good example is the Les Demoiselles painting in 1907 done by Picasso.

There is no telling what exactly makes these works great. Some say it is the manner of painting. Others go for the materials used in creating the image. And then there are some who thinks that it all has something to do with the inner muse of the artist. All of these things can matter. We can never be so sure what has transpired in the mind of the artist during the creation. It could be any of these things or combinations of all.

You may find the painting of different scenarios as easy. As long as you have something that you can use as a guide, you can go ahead and paint. The challenge however is how to make it look appealing. It is difficult to achieve something when you are both concerned about the message and the aesthetics. Sometimes, you just need to let the other flow.

It could be difficult to say what made the artist do the artwork. Perhaps it is his personal experience. Or maybe it is something dominant to their society. But whatever it is, the product is surely more than just because of random inspiration.

And of course there is the issue of an artists bias. Anyone who feels strongly about something will most likely manifest it to his works. While they could not be as dominant as the other factors, they will show. For instance, a painter who values the role of females in the society may paint a picture of women dancing in circles.

One great thing about the masterpieces we see at present is their varied interpretations. We can give meaning to them however we want it. The emotions that they draw out from individuals can affect the way we see it. Someone who sees a painting of aristocrats may find it elegant. Yet others may find it discriminating.

Things change. But one thing that remained is the natural tendency of humans to be attracted to great works of art. There is something so regal and beautiful about them that they are impossible to forget. The older they become, the higher their value becomes.




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