Influential Artists

Well, I've had the stomach flu the past week and stayed home from school, so I don't have too much to write about although I do have finals next week. My final for Art History was obviously online, so I was able to do it this morning. This week, we were asked to summarize everything we've learned this quarter by picking a single artist for basically every 50 year period between 1700 and 2000 that is the most important to that period. I will copy my submission and add some pictures so everyone knows a little about what I'm talking about! Enjoy!

Artist Project

1715-1800 Joseph Wright of Derby 

In the 18th century The Enlightenment was born due to important political, social, and economical change. The Enlightenment was about a new way of thinking about the world and humankind, free of religion and based on science. When looking at art from this century, one cannot ignore the works of Joseph Wright of Derby. His works such as A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrery, ca. 1763–1765 and An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump 1768 , depict scientists exhibiting their work to an audience. This to me shows the importance of this new Enlightenment thinking, and the wonder of the new technology from the Industrial Revolution. I believe Joseph Wright of Derby is the most important artist between 1715 and 1800 because the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution together were such new, different movements and he chose to chronicle them in art. Both the scientific based thinking and the technologies from the Industrial Revolution took off from their starting point and never looked back, the thinking and technology sky rocketed, and affects every person still today. Not only did he create beautiful work, but he artistically chronicled an extremely important and influential time in the history of mankind.

1800-1850 John Constable

With the growing industrialization of Europe many farmers found themselves unable to afford to farm their plots causing severe unrest on the English countryside. These high emotions during this difficult time moved many painters to express them in their work. John Constable painted “Haywain” in 1821 and though it does not depict the certain chaos that ensued on the countryside, it does show a simple man working on a simple farm. Perhaps a glimpse into the past of what life on the farm consisted of before the Industrial Revolution, of a simple time when he knew his place in the world, and his everyday duties. Constable’s view of the character in this piece is of him being one with the land, as though he is just part of the landscape, a peaceful existence. I believe it is an extremely important point in history that is depicted by John Constable. Though the Industrial Revolution brought much technology and created work in the cities, the old way of life in Europe was basically wiped out. The suffering of the everyday man caused by this movement is shown in Constable’s works. The historical and social points of this painting alone create a summary of real life between 1800 and 1850.

1850-1900 Pierre-Auguste Renoir

As the Industrial Revolution boomed, there was less of a separation between wealthy and not, and a new middle class was born. Many people moved into the cities and inhabited the surrounding areas with their families. This time marks an important point in history when the working class began able to afford more, enjoy more, and in general, do more. Pierre-Auguste Renoir most influentially depicted this time in history into painting. In Renoir’s Le Moulin de la Galette, 1876, he depicts a crowd of people at a Parisian dance hall. In this Impressionist piece, he paints a moment in time, a snapshot of a great time shared between friends that makes you want to join. Renoir’s other pieces depict dancing, dining, and general merry activities. During this time of a booming middle class, Renoir paints the perfect picture of what these middle class people would have filled their leisure time with. Historically, Renoir is the most important artist between 1850 and 1900 because he creates art of the people, and of the times. He paints of real life, and can be relatable by the growing middle class of his time, and can be appreciated by the general public of today.

1900-1950 Frank Lloyd Wright

In the early 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright gave new meaning to architecture. With his use of strong horizontal lines and low roofs he created a swift movement from art nouveau into homes that celebrated the family unit. He used the fireplace as a center and incorporated nature without gaudy embellishment. His use of concrete and natural materials in both residential and commercial buildings built a platform from which architects still work today. Falling Water was built into its site and incorporates the waterfall and surrounding rock which are native to it. The use of new technologies makes Frank Lloyd Wright an extremely influential artist of this time. The Johnson Wax Building is one that defied what was thought possible when its columns stood with its width smaller as it reached the floor, having large concrete lily pad-like supports at the top. The result was an innovative, aesthetically pleasing new way of structural support. His buildings have featured open floor plans, utilizing the new technologies of the trade, and give the owner and users of the buildings a nobility while still feeling connected to nature. As most important artist of 1900-1950, Frank Lloyd Wright successfully influenced, and continues to influence architecture today.

1950-2000 Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol is easily the most important artist between 1950 and 2000. As Military bills were collected and baby boomers were born, advertisement became an important and regular part of life. The average man was more commonly wealthier than before and could afford things like homes, cars, new clothes, and more specialty type items. Andy Warhol’s Green Coca-Cola Bottles is a beautiful piece from 1962 that expressed the growing advertisement in the world. He chose the comfortable and familiar Coke bottle because he knew that Coke was so universally enjoyed. It could be afforded and enjoyed by the guy down the street, to the President of the United States. Seeing the beauty in the idea of this object he created Green Coca-Cola Bottles as though, like the bottles themselves, the piece was mass-produced. Making such a work that the elements can be so universally recognized also had to have made him an artist that was also well recognized by the everyday man, which may have not been the case with artists like Ellsworth Kelly, or Louise Bourgeois. The work of Warhol has now been seen by what can assumed to be most of the world, even if the viewer is aware of who the artist is or not. You can find his work on bags and coasters, and buy books of his art to place on your coffee table. Warhol recognized the beauty in this historical time of growing advertisement and successfully created a place for himself as the most important artist between 1950 and 2000.

To be honest, I used some of my previous posts when I could, because I think I had good points all along. I just hope I don't get marked down for it! If you notice, all the periods had to include a 200-300 word explanation with them, and I mostly kept it pretty short, because I'd start repeating myself too much otherwise, I guess I really don't have too much to say about artwork! I am glad that I had the chance to include some architecture in this project though, I love when I get the chance of overlapping classes. :)

Thanks for reading, and check back soon because last night I got some awesome dresses I plan of "frankensteining" soon!