An Overview of American Art Movements and Artists
American Art: An Overview
Colonial Period to Early 19th Century
Portraiture and Early Influences (1670-1823)
Early American art was heavily influenced by European traditions, particularly in portraiture. Notable figures of this era include:
- John Singleton Copley: The foremost portrait artist of the colonial period.
- Gilbert Stuart: Renowned for his portraits of George Washington, securing his place in American art history.
- Charles Willson Peale: A painter, revolutionary, and naturalist known for his vibrant
19th Century Art: Romanticism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism
Romanticism
The French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars that hit Europe, and the Internal Crisis of Old Regime systems result in the loss of faith in reason. In response, a new sensibility that is characterized by a core value given to sentiment, to the exaltation of passion, intuition, imagination, and freedom to the individual. Romanticism is primarily a way of feeling.
The Romantic Painting
Painting rejects romantic neoclassical conventions, rules, represents a time of renewal of major technical
Read MoreLiterary Terms, Movements, and Concepts: A Comprehensive Guide
Literary Terms
Allusion
A brief and indirect reference to a person, historical event, cultural event, political event, or idea.
Allegory
The device of using character and/or story elements symbolically to represent an abstraction in addition to the literal meaning.
Analogy
Comparing two objects for the purpose of explaining something. For example: a heart and a pump.
Deus ex Machina
A circumstance where an implausible concept or a divine character is introduced into a storyline for the purpose of resolving
Read MoreFrancisco Goya: A Master of Artistic Evolution and Social Commentary
1. The Uniqueness of Goya’s Genius
In Spain, the figure of **Goya** stands above all others. His work incorporates different artistic currents of the passage from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, and his personal pictorial language anticipates new avenues of artistic expression.
Spain at the time of Goya (1746-1828) suffered the first major collapse that opens its contemporary history. From the Ancien Regime, through the brief moment of false hope that enlightened reforms represent, you come
Read MoreFilters in Photography: Types, Uses, and Effects
1. Filter Types
a) Black and White Filters
* Yellow filter: Darkens skies, reduces freckles, lightens skin * Orange filter: High contrast between sky and other elements, darkens foliage * Red filter: Darkens red objects, provides contrast to light red flowers * Green filter: Removes red and blue, emphasizes green and yellow, balances skin tones
b) Camera and Lighting Filters
* Optical filters: Change image depth * Color correction filters: Adjust color balance * UV absorption and fog filters: Reduce
Read MoreWitnessing Cultures Collide: A Cinematic Analysis of Peter Weir’s ‘Witness’
The film ‘Witness,’ directed by Peter Weir, invites viewers to become critical responders, reliant on the extent to which they are able to interpret Weir’s cinematography. Within various scenes, Weir utilizes cinematography to direct visual attention and communicate complex emotions and attitudes. The creation of these scenes leads the viewer to a deeper understanding of cross-cultural conflict and the corruption of those with power.
The Identification Scene: A Collision of Worlds
The identification
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