portfolio I-I

Enlightenment Music:

In Handel: Overture to The Water Music, it was initially published as three suites and it included a collection of orchestral movements, which were composed by George Frideric. The music was particularly in response to King George I’s request for a concert. The music portrays the value of patriotism, in such a manner that it is produced to be presented to the King, which shows a sense of vigorous support to the producer’s and King’s country.

In Bach: Brandenburg Concerto #3, it was produced by Johann Sebastian, is a collection of six instrumental works, that was presented by Bach to Margrave, and Christian Ludwig. In the composition, there is a line that states about years ago when the composer had a good fortune and was heard by Your Royal Highness, at Your Highness commands. Hence, the value in this work is loyalty, especially because the shows full allegiance to Your Highness (Conway, 2011).

In Mozart: Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, the main message is that it embraces the romantic hero, and criticizes corruption. Hence, the main value presented is commitment and passion in a relationship and the importance of practicing honesty, and not being corrupt. In “Allegro” from Symphony #40, the value presented is positivity. Passion is presented in Beethoven: the first movement of Symphony #6*

Enlightenment Art:

In Caravaggio: Inspiration of St. Matthew, there is the value of inspiration. For example, the painting depicts the time when Jesus Christ inspires Matthew to follow him.

The Bernini: David symbolizes the Catholic Church and the Italian people. It represents fighting against the odds. Hence, it portrays the value of courage and positivity. The Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila, represents the value of spirituality and service to others.

In Velazquez: Las Meninas, the message of reality is depicted (Kavanagh, 2011). In addition, there is a presentation of the value of environmentalism, especially due to the relationship between the people and the surrounding in the paint.

In Brouwer: The Bitter Draught, it portrays a moral message concerning drunkenness and foolishness, as they are not right in society. Hence, the paint represents the value of respect to self. In Rembrandt: The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Culp, it portrays the evaluation and analysis of the human anatomy. Hence, it represents the value of education. In The Night Watch, it represents a militia company, a group of men responsible for ensuring peace in the city. Hence, it shows the value of service to others. In Portrait of Christ, it portrays the sense of spirituality; hence, it shows the value of commitment to religion. In Vermeer: Soldier and Laughing Girl, there is a representation of the value of environmentalism, especially due to the masterful handling of light and space. In The Music Lesson, there is a representation of the value of education.

Rococo Art:

Watteau: Pilgrimage to Cythera

The painting Pilgrimage to Cythera captures the sensuousness and frivolity of Rococo painting as well as capturing the stages and growing nature of love. The painting portrays love as organic, which has a lifespan meaning it is born, grows, matures, withers then dies. Therefore, this piece portrays the values of love (Rococo - Concepts & styles. (n.d.).

Fragonard: The Swing

The Swing is an oil painting by Jean-Honoore Fragonard in the Wallace collection depicting a young man, concealed in the foliage, who is watching a young woman on a swing and pushed by an old man in the background unaware of the young man’s presence. The young man is a symbol of infidelity. The painter’s intention was to flatter the Baron and his mistress to supply them with frivolous, lighthearted painting and offers an intimate memento of their relationship. Its value is relationship and infidelity.

Hogarth: Gin Lane

Gin Lane, Hogarth’s work illustrates the evils of gin-drinking which was published together with ‘Beer Street’ as part of a campaign against the uncontrolled sale and production of cheap gin. This culminated during the period of the Gin Act of 1751 when several gin shops were reduced. I found in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and the drawings in Pierpont Morgan Library. (Rococo - Concepts & styles. (n.d.). Its value is the condemnation of uncontrolled consumption and the production of cheap and harmful gin.

Gainsborough: The Blue Boy

The Blue Boy is a historical costume study and a portrait showing youth in his seventeenth-century clothing. It is regarded as Gainsborough’s homage to Anthony van Dyck, and specifically in very close to Van Dyck’s portrait of Charles II as a boy. It was painted for the reasons for a portrait because the technology in the Renaissance era means this was the best photo. Although the values are not clear it seems that it concerns money and wealth.

Neo-Classical Art:

In David: Death of Socrates, the death of Socrates Sabine Women is a neoclassical oil on canvas painting created by Jacques-Louis David. This image is in the public domain and tagged Roman and Greek mythology and political works. The painting is based around the abduction of Sabines by a Roman neighbor. Hersilia, the woman in the center intervenes between the husband, King of Rome, and her father, King of Sabines (Wickham, 1997). Many are putting away their weapons in the background to let peace take over the battlefield.

Writings:

In Locke: a selection from the second Treatise of Civil Government, it places the sovereignty into people’s hands. Hence, it shows that people are invested and equal to natural rights. Hence, it shows the value of respect. In Swift: A Modest Proposal, there is a description of injustice, by butchering the children and selling them as food to the wealthy property owners. Hence, there is a representation of the importance of the value of compassion.

References

Rococo - Concepts & styles. (n.d.). The Art Story.  https://www.theartstory.org/movement/rococo/history-and-concepts/

Wickham, G. (1997). French theatre in the neo-classical era, 1550-1789 (Vol. 5). Cambridge University Press.

Kavanagh, T. M. (2011). Esthetics of the moment: literature and art in the French Enlightenment. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Conway, D. (2011). Jewry in music: entry to the profession from the enlightenment to Richard Wagner. Cambridge University Press.