Over the past 15 weeks, I have grown to understand, acknowledge and ultimately appreciate art, in a way like never before. From the very first lesson, and every lesson following I learned something new. Lessons detailing the different elements of art, principles of design and the evolution of art! Thanks to this course, I am more knowledgeable in a variety of art media’s; architecture, film and video, installation and performance, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and drawing.
I have to say the most interesting topic that we have covered in this course have to be sculptures, pecifically sculptures made out of marble.During my visit to the Walters Art Museum, located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, I saw many precious works of art. The two pieces that caught my attention the most were statues titled “Apollo Victorious over the Python” and “Hermaphroditus”. I have previously come across those two names in mythology books. Apollo and Hermaphroditus are known as deities in mythology history. It was intriguing to finally see the characters in person. A sculpture is a three dimensional work of art.
The sculpture process is one of the oldest and most enduring of all arts.The different methods of making sculptures are; carving, modeling, casting, construction and assemblage, installation art and earthworks. The carving method is a technique in which material is removed, revealing the final form. The modeling method is a technique where the material is built up to the final form. The casting technique uses a mold; milted liquid is poured into the mold ones the liquid hardens the sculpture is created.
The two basic processes of sculptures are, subtractive and additive. The subtractive process begins with a mass of material.The carving technique is used to subject the material to reate the final form. The additive process adds materials together to create the final form. Sculptures are expressed in three basic forms; relief, in the round, and as an environment.
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Sculptures are created using a variety of materials; glass, wood, stone, and metal are a few. They range in shape, size, and color. The most common purpose of creating sculptures is in relation to religion. “Apollo Victorious over the Python” and “Hermaphroditus”, have a lot of similarities, as well as differences.
I will explain how. Apollo Victorious over the Python” whose noted artist is Pietro Francavilla, is a arble free standing sculpture that was created in 1591 during Renaissance period. Pietro Francavilla used the subtractive process to create this sculpture. The subject matter of this sculpture is “heroic”. The sculpture depicts Apollo’s triumph over the Python of Delphi. “Apollo’ knew as one of the twelve major deities in Greek mythology. He is noted as the god of light, knowledge, healing, plague and darkness, the arts, music, poetry, prophecy, archery, the sun, manly youth, and beauty.
The Python of Delphi was a creature with the body of a snake.Apollo killed the Python using a bow and arrow. Apollo embodies the ideals of heroism in the statue with his elegant position. He is nude standing in an upright, straight and proud position. He has one arm risen above as an in recognition of achievement position. The bow and arrow is in his other hand.
He is facing forward, in a fearless pose. His body is strong, his muscles are noticeable. He looks powerfully. Beneath him is the slain Python of Delphi. The statue is 63 3/16 inches tall. Apollo nudeness, display of emotion and mythology theme are characteristic of the late-Renaissance style.Apollo position engages you to walk around the sculpture to see all the features.
It is asymmetrically balanced. Light does not play an important role in this sculpture. The sculpture is station in an evenly while lite area. The sculpture was huge compared to me. I had to look up at it. The proportional of scale is realistic to the relationship with the subject matter.
The sculpture is unified; all of the features are in relations to subject matter and story. “Hermaphroditus” who artist is not noted, is so a free standing marble sculpture. It was created during the 1st century. The dimensions are 18 7/8 x 9 13/16 inches.The subtractive process was used to create this sculpture.
The subject matter of is mythological. Hermaphroditus is known in Greek mythology as the son of Aphrodite and Hermes. He was born a boy, but was transformed into an androgynous (both male and female features). Hermaphroditus has female breast and male genitals. This sculpture is station inside a viewing case at the museum. There were two other pieces of work of arts in the showcase.
However, the Hermaphroditus sculpture was the only one made out of marble. Light did play an important role with this statue. There was a light that was shine directly above the status.The shining light created alue, and emphasizes the two opposite gender features. The position of Hermaphroditus is in a contrapposto position. The weight is shifted, due to this leg bended. This arm is slanged in a reverse position.
The fgure is life size. The proposition of scale is realistic to its subject matter. It is unified. I enjoyed my trip to Walters Art Museum. The team there was very helpfully and knowledgeable of all the fgures.
They also have a lot of resources there to help you get a better understanding of the work of arts. The museum was very accessible. Everything was well labeled.Upon arrival I was given a map. The customer service team member pointed out interesting work of arts, that I may have been interested in. It was very clean, quiet, and well-staffed. The glasses show cases were very clear and clean. This was my very first time visiting a museum by myself.
I was unsure of how it was going to go. However, I enjoyed myself and stayed way longer than originally planned. The only negative thing is there is no parking lot. If you are not familiar with the area you can spend enormous amount of time trying to find a parking spot especially if your visit is on a week day normal business hours.
