Whistler vs. Ruskin Revisited

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.

Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' in Domino's!

Flippycat recreated Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' with domino's'. It's pretty amazing, the way the domino's splay out when they're knocked over really look like Van Gogh's swirly strokes! I can't even imagine the kind of patience creating something like this would take, considering how many times the domino's are accidentally knocked over!

Flippycat also recreated the "Mona Lisa" or rather the "Domona Lisa" in 2007

Thanks to everyone for sticking with us over the summer! We have some great podcasts coming up and we really hope you like them. Also, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and give us some feedback, we'd really like to hear what you have to say.

Artists and their Muses Revisited

For the summer we are putting up new episodes every other week and giving you another chance to listen to old episodes!

The Muse has always been attached to the artist in one form or another.

Three Graces

Just before the Renaissance, there were many ancient sculptures that were being discovered and inspiring artists. The Three Graces inspired the use of the female form as a representation to the muse.

Pastoral Symphony by Titian

This is an example of the Three Graces being implemented in painting.

Bathsheba at her Bath by Rembrandt

Although his wife made sure Rembrandt couldn't marry his mistress after her death, he consistently used her within his works of art.

Olympia

Luncheon on the Grass

Street Singer

These are all pieces by Manet, who found himself using Victorine (his "muse") often in his art.

Make sure you catch the Elizabeth Gilbert Ted Talks presentation this episode was inspired by-- in fact, Elizabeth can be said to have been the muse for the podcast brought to you today!

Who's your muse?

Going Places

Back in April--when I was deciding on exact dates for when I'd leave to Estonia where I am working on my final project for school--I figured out I would likely arrive to Estonia on my birthday.

"Wow, I never thought I'd beat the birthday I went to Venice," I commented.

And then I realized.

I sounded like a totally spoiled, rotten brat.

And maybe I am. Sometimes when we discuss topics on the podcast and we're able to talk about actually going and seeing this painting or that statue, I wonder how many of you think well, that's nice... I'll never get to do that. Which is why I'm here to assure you...

Yes...
              You...
                              Can!

You see, I haven't been on study abroad because of some hidden wealth I have, or my family for that matter. In fact, if you saw my bank statements you would laugh. Hard.

So I thought it might be helpful to give you a few tips on how I've been able to visit all over Europe and, more importantly, how you could too!

1) Don't bother with a Plan B.

This was actually a suggestion a friend verbalized, but which I have found most helpful. Don't talk about plans to go somewhere as "well, some day... when I win the lottery... and don't have to work anymore". Guess what... it won't happen! Estonia has been a place I have wanted to go my entire life. Literally. My grandparents came from this little country and when I was thinking about projects I would want to work on, I knew this was it. People--with good intentions I'm sure--would ask "what if..." and something along the lines of what I would do if I didn't do that project. This came from concerned parents more than anywhere else.


I ignored this to the best of my ability. I was lucky to have advising professors that never threw a "what if" or asked for a back-up plan. And, more importantly, I knew that it wasn't time to think or invest in a "Plan B". I knew I was smart enough to have others ideas, if it came down to it, but I also knew I was smart enough to come up with ways to make Estonia happen. If you really want to go some place, do it! As the cliche goes, "if there's a will, there's a way!"

2) Keep an eye out for opportunities.

I applied for a million grants and scholarships. At least that's what it felt like. And guess what... not one of them came through. Admittedly, I was disappointed, but I hadn't been waiting for the answers to figure out how to fund my project. I did what I could, savings-wise, and had some help and advice from a fellow student who had used Kickstarter, which is a way of setting up a creative projects and requesting funding from anyone and everyone. I was able to get some jobs (via Craigslist) in this month while I've been waiting to go, and I am continually looking for ways I might be able to work remotely from across the ocean. Do what you have to and take every chance there is.


Another example was when I had the chance to go to Italy for the study abroad program with UVU. Two weeks before the application deadline a couple made available grant money for students who wanted to go, but couldn't afford it on their own. I still don't know these generous people, but am grateful for the opportunity this provided. For my part, I had kept good grades and got the application in with a request to be one of the benefactors. If you're in school, look for any kind of grants and scholarships that can give you these amazing opportunities. They're out there if you're looking.

3) Be Smart, not Scared


When you're about to venture out into some great unknown, people will give you a look. It's one where eyes widen, jaws slacken, and a sort of incredulous/impressed "wow" comes out without any effort. "Wait... you don't know anyone there? You're going by yourself???"

Why yes, yes I am. I live on my own, I drive all over the states on my own, I work and play and study on my own... why on earth would I feel an absolute need to have someone with me when I travel? The fact is, most places are about the same, safety-wise. Yes, there are pickpockets and thieves... but tell me... how is that any different from home?

The major difference is that we are familiar enough at home to know when something or someone is "off". When you're traveling elsewhere it isn't so much that you need to be worried about every person who passes, but that you need to prepare in a smart manner as you go out. Pack your bag in a way that makes it next to impossible for someone to just grab your wallet. They're looking for easy targets, so don't be one. Even if you look paranoid, wear your backpack on the front in the subway. Read up and understand how these pickpockets work. Don't be in secluded places after dark (at least for girls this is pretty much the same as if you're home, right?).

Really, to sum it up, there's nothing to be scared about. Be aware of your surroundings and you will enjoy traveling whether or not you are on your own or with a group of 100 people. Just don't let fear be a deterrent for seeing the world.

I hope that this helps to get at least a few people out there and going places. You never know who you're going to meet or what experiences you're going to have. Lucky for me, I've had aunts and uncles keep up with some relatives here in Estonia. I've been able to meet a few people, so far, and hope to meet more and build up relationships with people from around the world. Take a chance and you may just surprise yourself!

Happy Travels!
Marie

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Carrie Espinoza! She won the giveaway for the Van Gogh art print of 'Starry Night'.

Thank you for your support Carrie!

Episode 32: The Medicis

Have you ever waken up one morning and thought "I'd really like to rule the world today." Well we have the perfect family for you to follow if this is what you'd like to do! (Everyone needs a good mentor after all.)

Step 1: Specialize in a needed field of work. (i.e. Banking)
Step 2: Marry off your women to important figures, politicians, and, ideally, Kings of France.
Step 3: Become patrons to important artists that will make sure your name goes down in the history books!

Giovanna Medici-- he started it all

This is one of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, Cosimo I. There were also a few Medici who held the papal throne in Rome, becoming popes and prominent figures in the church.

Catherine de Medici: wife, mother, queen... glove poisoner.

Marie de Medici was a more beloved queen, but had some of the same political pull as Catherine.

For more details, listen to the podcast. Good luck and arrivederci!

Why I like Art History: Julia

I love art. I particularly love really, really good art. The first few minutes I spent at the Muse Orsay, I had to concentrate on not hyperventilating. You think I'm kidding, but I'm really, really not.

History has always been a hobby of mine, it's sort of a family thing. We've all got this interest and a kind of sense of being born in the wrong time. So, put art and history together and you've pretty much entered my personal nirvana (I know, I'm soooo un-cool), but there is more too it than that.

I like art history because when I look at a painting by Van Gogh, or Rembrandt, Titian, Pollock, etc. etc. I have a better understanding of what I am looking at and a better appreciation for what the artist is trying to convey.

I’ll give you an example (I’ve over shared this with my friends, so they can just ignore me right about now). In the past I didn’t really like Van Gogh’s work, the best way to put it is that I just didn’t get it. It was too much of too much for me. Then I saw some of his work in person and my opinion completely changed. I stood there in front of ‘The Siesta’ and got it. I used to think that seeing his work in person was what changed it for me, but that’s really only part of it. The other 50% was knowing his story.

Van Gogh, "The Siesta"

He painted his (probably) most famous painting, “Starry Night”, from a cell in an asylum. His use of color was personal for him; he attached his own meanings to the colors he used.

Yellow = Hope and trust.

Red and Green = Terrible Passions of humanity

Blue = Spirituality

Knowing these three things, look at “Night Café” and then look at “Starry Night”.

Van Gogh, 'Night Cafe'

Van Gogh, 'Starry Night'

To me there is a huge difference between liking, “Starry Night” because it’s peaceful and lonely feeling and liking it because you know that the deep blue sky represents spirituality and the yellow stars represent hope and trust. Van Gogh said that stars were places he hadn't been to yet, places he'd be able to visit one day.

So, in a nutshell, that’s why I like art history.