Short But Sweet: Vanitas

Megan Flox-Lambert discusses Vanitas, some of it's symbolism and what it is meant to convey.

Jacopo Ligozzi, Vanitas, ca.1550-1627

Rachel Ruysch, Vanitas

St Francis of Assisi, Artist unknown

Georges de La Tour,The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame, c. 1638–1640

Tune in next week for another Short but Sweet!

Episode 67: Susanna and the Elders

Lauren and Megan discuss the different versions of “Susanna and the Elders” using feminist concepts to critique them. Allori, Rubens, Reni, Tintoretto, Caracci all provide a “male gaze” version of this timeless tale. We tie things up with our only female artist giving an alternative look at the true nature of Susanna.

Susanna and the Elders, Alessandro Allori (undated: between 1535 - 1607)

Susanna and the Elders, C. 1555, Tintoretto

Susanna and the Elders, Annibale Carracci

Susanna and the Elders,Guido Reni 1620

Susanna and the Elders, Rubens 1636-40

Judith Slaying Holofernes, Artemisia Gentileschi

Susanna and the Elders, C. 1610, Artemisia Gentileschi

Tune in next Wednesday for a new episode with Jo and Carrie about Monetary Art! 

Episode 63: Zombie Art

Megan and Jo talk about Zombies, where they came from, how they evolved through history and where they are now.

Next Wednesday Lauren and Chloe talk about Northern Baroque. 

All of our previous episodes can be found on iTunes U.

Episode 60: Greek Hellenistic Sculpture

Our special guest, Dr. Catherine Taylor, joins Megan and Lauren to discuss Greek Hellenistic sculpture. 

  

The Hellenistic period spanned from 323-146 BCE. The movement is thought to have begun with the death of Alexander the Great in 323. Compared to previous Greek sculpture Hellenistic sculpture is much more dramatic and lively. Laocoon and His Sons, along with other Hellenistic sculptures heavily influenced many Italian Renaissance sculptors including Michelangelo. 

Laocoon and His Sons early 1st century CE

Dying Gaul, marble copy 230-220 BCE

Nike of Samothrace, 190 BCE

Barberini Faun, 220 BCE

Apollonius, Boxer at Rest, 100-50 BCE., bronze

Next week Julia and Chloe will be starting our special series focusing on Baroque art with Italian Baroque: The Basics

If you have any topics in art history you are interested in hearing more about, please email us at uvu.artsandfacts@gmail.com.

All of our previously recorded episodes can be found at iTunes U. 

Short but Sweet: Disegno vs. Colorito

We would like to apologize for not having our regular full length episode up today, we have had some technical issues with this episode and are unable to post it at this time. We hope you will enjoy the Short but Sweet instead.

We will have our regular full length episode up next Wednesday.

Thank you.

Disegno

 Colorito

Episode 57: Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko was an Abstract Expressionist painter, who in his later career, focused on color and luminosity in his work. He was inspired by the way children could communicate their reality in simple visual images.  Listen to the podcast to learn more about this remarkable man.

Rothko, The Omen of the Eagle, 1942

Rothko, Number 10, 1950

Rothko, Number 14, 1960

Rothko, Untitled, 1968

Rothko Chapel, Houston Texas, USA

The following links were very helpful resources for researching Mark Rothko.

http://www.nga.gov/feature/rothko/intro1.shtm

http://www.markrothko.org/

Next weeks episode will be our St. Patrick's Day special, Celtic Art. 

Episode 56: Romanesque Architecture

Romanesque architecture developed after the Roman's and before Gothic style after 1000 AD.

Some of the characteristics of Romanesque architecture are rounded arches, heavy masonry, small windows, and barrel and groin vaults. The rounded arches centered the heavy weight of the masonry and made it possible for stone roofs to be built, although they weren't quite strong enough. Windows had to be kept small and buttresses were added to the design to keep the walls from buckling under the weight.

Decoration was very minimal in Romanesque architecture which was very popular with some monastic orders, but the strength of the fortification was popular with warring Kings. Because of this you will see fortresses, like the White Tower at the Tower of London and churches, like the Chapter House Abbey de Fontenay in Burgundy, France.

Chapter House, Abbaye (Abbey) de Fontenay (Interior)

Chapter House, Abbaye (Abbey) de Fontenay (Exterior)

St. Michael’s Church Hildesheim, Germany
built between 1010 and 1020

St. Michael’s Church Hildesheim, Germany (Interior)

White Tower, Tower of London, ca. 1066-1078

Episode 54: Romanticism

Happy Valentines Day! (Or 'Single Awareness Day' if you prefer)

Put the dozen red roses in a vase, pull out the heart shaped box of chocolates, cuddle up with your significant other....or your cat, and enjoy the most unromantic art movement there ever was, romanticism.

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Turner, Slavers throwing overboard the Dead and Dying- Typhoon coming on “The Slave Ship”, 1840

Casper David Friedrich, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, 1818

Gericault, Raft of the Medusa, 1818-19  

Fuseli, The Nightmare, 1790

Fuseli, The Nightmare, 1781-82

Don't forget to leave a comment and make our day!

Next week Jo and Julia will be talking about Vermeer!

Episode 51: Rococo and the Whimsical

The Rococo style originated in France in the early 18^th century and was largely a reaction to the strict lifestyle required by Louis XIV during his 72 year reign. 

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Meeting , 1771-73

After Louis’ death the nobles, who had been required to move to Versailles during Louis’ lifetime, decided to return to Paris where all the fun was. They built and remodeled homes and decorated them in the opulent, over the top style that we now call Rococo. 

Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing, 1766

Their paintings were full of painterly, pastel scenes with little to no moral value which was criticized by the working class of the time. After all, while the French Elite were living scandalous lives, the working class were starving, and dying of rampant illness and being taxed at up to 80% of their income.

Wies Church, Bavaria, late 1740’s.

Salon de la Princesse, Hôtel de Soubise, Paris, 1737-40

It’s fair to say that Rococo was one of the final insults that lead to the French Revolution. But that’s not to say it wasn’t a fantastically beautiful artistic style!

Tune in next week for another brand new episode! 

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.