Describe two artworks you have seen in person
Michelangelo’s David has often been termed as one of art-history’s most remarkable masterpieces. It is a depiction of David before the battle with Goliath. Numerous visitors from all over the world have travelled to Florence to experience the 500-year-old sculpture. Undoubtedly, the sculpture holds timeless appeal. David was sculpted in 1501 from a block of leftover marble. The sculpture is an oddity in that the upper body and head are not in proportion with the rest of the body. This is unlike the Renaissance age and style of art which embodied an obsession with harmony of proportion and form (Italian-renaissance-art.com. 1). In spite of this, Michelangelo’s David is still considered as one of the best artistic expressions of the Renaissance period and the sense of life. This is because it captures the projection of man as vigorous, beautiful, healthy, competent and rational as was common in the Renaissance period. The sculpture is a heroic expression of a man which rejects the modernist and Christian conceptions of man. The David depicts man as noble. The rear view of the sculpture illustrates the prowess of Michelangelo. This is because of his detailed and accurate depiction of the muscular form. The discipline used is known as disegno, which considers art as divine creation (Italian-renaissance-art.com. 1). Michelangelo used the terracotta technique of creating a Bozetto or wax model. He would then paint an outline of the intended statue on the block of marble. The marble would then be sculpted using the water method whereby the wax model was immersed in water. The water would then be lowered as the carving progressed. Michelangelo’s skill, photographic memory and ability to enlarge judging with the eye alone enabled him to carve the marble by looking at the terracotta model.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a 305 feet tall figure of a women standing on a pedestal. The statue bears a seven-point nimbus on her head, her right arm clasping a torch that signifies enlightenment. She also holds a book on her left hand that represents faith. The statue was a gift from France to the United States in 1884. The sculpture is made up of steel, copper and concrete. The statue of Liberty was designed by the sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. Overall, it is regarded as a symbol of freedom globally (Unwin53). The sculpture is an example of public art because it occupies public space and that it is freely accessible to the public. The statue may be analyzed using semiotics of expression, which is the manner in which the statue is considerate and harmonious with its surrounding greenery and buildings. In addition, the sculpture’s size underlines the notion that the message it portrays is very significant and should be received by all (Koed 2). Other non-verbal cues projected by the statue include gender roles, gestures, the principle of elevation and proxemics (Unwin53). The statue does not lend itself to analysis on the use of color because it is predominantly made of steel. However, its outward look is green in color as a result of the weathering of its outer copper layer over time. The statue is a representation of beauty through perceptual and artistic characteristics such as the Roman robes and facial features. The aspect of stability is depicted by the strong foundation and wide pedestal (Unwin53).
Work Cited
Italian-renaissance-art.com. "Michelangelo David. The most famous statue in the world?" Michelangelo David. Version 1. italian-renaissance-art.com, 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Michelangelo-David.html>.
Koed, Elizabeth. "A Symbol Transformed -- The Statue of Liberty." Social Contract Journal Issues 2.3 (1992): 1-12. Print.
Unwin, Raymond. The art of building a home. New York, N.Y, 1901. Print.
