Benjamin Stock

 Early Modern Era The Early Modern era was a period of significant innovation that transformed the world. It changed the way people traveled, accessed news, and enjoyed entertainment, but perhaps most importantly, it influenced artists' perspectives. In the early 1900s, the advent of the airplane enabled artists to capture the world from new vantage points. The introduction of the oscilloscope, an electronic device used to visualize sound and electrical waves, provided a means for artists to measure sound and inspire their portraits. Additionally, the improvements made for the camera, specifically the 35mm lens, allowed artists to capture their subjects in a higher quality, more efficient way. Each of these innovations played a crucial role in the evolution of the art world. The airplane was invented by the Wright brothers in 1903, revolutionizing the way people perceive the world. This new mode of transportation offered artists a unique opportunity to create works from an entirely...

 Romantic vs Realism Art Analysis Romantic Style      My favorite style of artwork from the Romantic era is the Romantic style itself. I appreciate this style for several reasons. One key aspect is the emphasis on individualism that artists were able to convey in their work. This departure from Neoclassicism allowed artists to express their personal feelings and emotions, resulting in unique masterpieces from each creator who embraced this style during that period. "Evening" (1818)  Théodore Géricault - France      Artist Théodore Géricault often allowed his creative impulses to manifest vividly in his work. In his canvas “Evening,” he crafted an idealized Italian landscape that reflects his nostalgia for Italy after returning to Paris. Through a rich palette and dynamic lighting, Géricault conveys his emotional state, creating a dramatic mood that resonates throughout the piece. In this painting, Géricault expresses his mindset through the use of...

Classical Era - Revolution and Art          The 1700s was a significant era marked by political and social movements that profoundly influenced the histories of both America and Europe. The struggle for independence and liberty during the American Revolution paved the way for self-governance, which in turn inspired the French to seek social equality during the French Revolution. The French established a republic founded on Enlightenment principles, which emphasized the intellect and reason of the human mind. These evolving social and political values were reflected in the artwork of the time. Artists emerged, creating pieces that captured the shifts towards human rights and democracy, moving away from the traditional focus on religion and mythology. They utilized their art to promote critical thinking about the ongoing revolutions. This new artistic movement that dominated the 18th century is known as Neoclassicism. “The Death of Marat” (1793) by Jaques-Lou...

  Baroque: Descent from the Cross, by Rembrandt, 1634      I chose to focus this blog on the “Descent from the Cross” by Rembrandt. This piece inspired awe in me for a couple of reasons. The first element I noticed in this painting was the lighting and shadows. The painting is relatively dark in color. However, three areas of the painting are lighter than the rest of the piece: Jesus, some other bystanders, and a piece of cloth. According to Brett and Kate McKay in “The Basics of Art: The Baroque Period,” the bystanders in the painting are the faithful women who stood behind Jesus, and the cloth is a shroud in which Jesus will return to life (McKay). Learning about the significance of these three points of focus makes me feel like there is a literal spotlight on them. Drama and theatrically heightened realism characterize the Baroque era, according to Professor Kljiach’s presentation. Therefore, the vividness and energy from the “spotlight” on these focus points invo...

  Renaissance Blog  - ‘Vitruvian Man’ (c.1490) by Leonardo Da Vinci      For this blog, I focused on the ‘Vitruvian Man’ by Leonardo Da Vinci. I chose this piece of artwork for a couple of reasons. For one, I have seen this particular drawing in multiple environments in my lifetime, even though I have never seen the original at the Gallerie dell’Accademia Museum in Venice, Italy. Because I knew nothing about the significance of this drawing, it never invoked any emotions about its details or purpose. However, my curiosity about its backstory continuously grew each time I saw it. Now that I have learned more about the significance behind this drawing, I wanted to reflect on it in my blog post so I can see the emotion and information it brought to me that I didn’t have before this class.      The period of when the ‘Vitruvian Man’ was created took place during the Italian Renaissance (c. 1490). Though we are still unsure where this drawing was creat...

Sesshu Toyo's Winter Landscape  Introduction - Art Elements       In my art analysis, I chose Sesshu Toyo's Winter Landscape. One striking feature of this artwork is the prominent use of straight lines throughout. The vertical lines give the mountains a sense of solidity, conveying strength. The color palette is minimal, with white accents around the trees representing the winter snow. The deep black sumi ink creates varying shades of gray on the mountains, capturing the gradual accumulation of snow and imparting a sense of solemnity. The absence of color creates a stark contrast within the artwork, causing the mountains and trees to stand out prominently and evoking the sensation of being outdoors in winter.     Overall, the simplicity of the artwork beautifully mirrors the simplicity of the Buddhist culture. The three elements of art, line, color, and contrast, work in harmony to create a unique piece of artwork that encapsulates a representation of ...