Episode 21: Akhenaten

Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV), is one of the most well known  pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He was born Amenhotep IV, worshiper of Amen. When he became pharaoh he changed his name to Akenaten which means "he who is of the service of Aten" and became a worshiper of Aten, the Sun Disk.

During his reign as Pharaoh he changed the religion of Egypt as well as the art. For thousands of years art in Egypt had not changed, but Akhenaten had a new vision.

The Narmer Palette

Akhenaten

This image depicts Akhenaten (far right), his wife Nefertiti and two of his daughters (smaller figures on the left), they are worshiping Aten, the Sun Disk, it's rays falling down upon them.

Akhenaten, Nefertiti and their three daughters

This image of Akhenaten and his family shows a family connection that was new to Egyptian art. On the left Akhenaten is kissing one of his daughters, while on the right Nefertiti is holding the other two. Above the family is Aten, the disk god they worshiped.

 Note the unusual proportions. While Egyptian art had never been true to life, Akhenaten preferred to be represented this way, with an odd shaped head, etc.

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 20: Edgar Degas

Degas, as an impressionist, didn't consider himself part of that movement. He would much rather be called a realist. There is one thing you can't argue he liked to paint.

Dance...

Dance...

 And more Dance.

Degas was most known for his dance images.

He often took the quiet moments of practice that Degas chose to portray, taking different perspectives than many of his contemporaries would have. 

This is an example of where he could be argued as a realist painter--taking a real view from the pit of the orchestra.

He often played with different medium. This is a bronze statue of (you guessed it) a 14 year old dancer. This one can be pointed to for impressionist sculpture, mixing this traditional method and added things like the pink ribbon. 

Degas didn't just do dance. He did paint many mundane moments in life, being inspired by the Japanese woodcuts, as were many of the impressionist artists.

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 19: Whistler vs. Ruskin

Whistler

Ruskin

In a landmark trial, James Abbot McNeill Whistler (painter) sued John Ruskin (writer and critic) for libel.














Below is the painting in question. Ruskin calls it paint that's been flung on a canvas (good thing he wasn't around to witness Jackson Pollock's work), saying it isn't worth the 200 guineas. Whistler says he's charging for a lifetime of experience. Listen on the right to see who won this trial.

Nocturne in Black and Gold  by Whistler

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 18: Interior Design and the International Style

We had Paige Bennet, UVU's Interior Design extraordinaire with us for this episode.

Farnsworth House

Walter Gropius house in Lincoln, MA

Grand Confort Chair, Le Corbusier

Pony Chaise, Le Corbusier

Barcelona Chair, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

Episode 17: War and Peace

There is something about art that can move us to action: for both good and bad. We've talked about in various episodes about many times when art was used as propaganda, but here's some examples that have been examples we found where art either worked towards bringing peace, or incited some kind of outrage.

David by Michelangelo

In an incident during a riot, the hand of David was hit. The mob immediately calmed and dispersed, showing the value the people of Florence put on their art.

Death of General Wolfe by Benjamin West

Benjamin West, while trying to glorify the death of a British soldier. For several reasons, the British hated it... including King George, who refused to give Ben his paycheck.

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix

 Lady Liberty has been a symbol to both the French and the United States. The statue has become a symbol for peace, while other depictions (such as Delacroix) helped to fuel the French Revolution.

Second of May by Goya

Third of May by Goya

 Another depiction of war, Goya is celebrating the Spanish Spirit based on events in 1808. The first is the riot that was started by the Spanish against the French invaders, the second image is when the French went back to the village and massacred the men there.

Man at the Crossroads... by Diego Rivera

Unlike Benjamin West, Diego Rivera was paid for this mural... Rockefeller  just decided to tear it down a year later. With the money Rivera made, he recreated the mural several times over.

JR

This is a piece that is discussed on JR's Ted Talk (which we highly recommend you listen to here).

We also talked about a student whose work had the same humanity and works to promote the idea that for all our differences we are the same. To see more of this project and Maria Corona's work, go here.

If you have topics in art history you're just itching to hear more about, leave us a comment or email us at: uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.