Lady with an Ermine & The School of Athens: Masterpieces by Da Vinci & Raphael
Lady with an Ermine
Lady with an Ermine is believed to depict Cecilia Gallerani, the mistress of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. It is one of four portraits of women painted by Leonardo da Vinci, including the Mona Lisa. Despite some damage sustained during World War II, including a repainted door at the bottom and some alterations to the model’s fingers and veil, it is in better condition than other paintings by Leonardo.
Cecilia holds and touches what is normally considered an ermine, depicted with
Read MoreThe Renaissance: A Return to Classical Art and Philosophy
The Renaissance: A Return to Classical Ideals
The Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth in Europe, marking a return to the study and imitation of literature, art, and philosophy from Greek and Roman antiquity. In painting, this classical revival was achieved through:
- The study of nature
- The implementation of the laws of perspective
This artistic movement was influenced by Greco-Roman architecture and sculpture.
Humanism: The Central Role of Man
One of the foundations of the Renaissance was Humanism,
Read MoreSymbols, Semiotics, and Material Culture
The Signs
Humans live in a world of meaning, and this meaning is accessible to all, some more than others. Besides some meanings that are taken for granted in our daily lives, there are others that characterize other human groups or companies. Access to these other meanings is not carried out immediately but comes through specific processes of initiation. The signal, the message, and the bearer of the message are aspects of the same thing. (Example: traffic light). In a sign, the relationship between
Read MoreSymbols, Semiotics, and Material Culture in Society
The Signs We Live By
Humans inhabit a world saturated with meaning, accessible to all in varying degrees. Beyond the meanings we take for granted in daily life, others characterize specific human groups or entities. Accessing these meanings often requires specific processes of initiation.
The sign, its message, and the bearer are facets of a single concept. Consider the traffic light as an example. Within a sign, the relationship between the message and its entity is metonymic. A crown doesn’t literally
Read MoreThe Impact of Plants in Interior Design: Aesthetics, Acoustics, and Economics
LANDSCAPE: Section C
The Advantages of Plants in Interior Design
Plants provide more than a decorative touch to the indoor environment. The Manual of Interior Plantscaping author Kathy Fediw explains how they bring people together, help them relax, and create an environment for cooperation and collaboration.
Indoor plants play an important role in interior design. They bring in a living element that is portable, growing, and ever-changing, for a fraction of the cost of a new wall or architectural element.
Read MoreThe Power of Plants in Interior Design: Enhancing Aesthetics, Functionality, and Value
Landscape:
Advantages of Plants in Interior Design
Plants offer more than just decoration in indoor environments. As explained in The Manual of Interior Plantscaping by Kathy Fediw, they foster connection, promote relaxation, and create an atmosphere conducive to collaboration.
Indoor plants play a crucial role in interior design. They introduce a living element that is portable, dynamic, and ever-evolving, all at a fraction of the cost of new architectural features. They provide both function and
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