The Prince of Painters

A corridor down, Michelangelo is undertaking the greatest solo project in the history of the art world, the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Raphael Sanzio, working under the shadow of his greatest idol, will unknowingly become Michelangelo’s rival. Resentful of the young upstart, Michelangelo was especially demanding and even at times cruel to Raphael as they toiled away in the Vatican. This contention became the stuff of legend.

While Michelangelo painted the famous walls and ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, Raphael labored in the papal apartments that are now known as the “Stanze di Raffaello” (Raphael’s rooms).  The rooms are all of the fresco paintings. This technique is comprised of painting of plaster on walls, ceilings and other flat surfaces. An artist will apply plaster on the preferred surface and as it dried they would paint on the drying plaster giving the surface depth.  Unlike painting with oils, frescos provide clear luminous colors and its durability makes it the ideal style for regal and embellished murals. The four rooms of Raphael would earn him the nickname “The Prince of Painters.”

The first room is known as the Sala di Constantino (Hall of Constantine). Dedicated to the triumph of Christianity over Paganism, the frescoes illustrate the struggle from the life of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The most notable fresco is The Vision of the Cross. The fresco depicts the legendary tale of a cross appearing in the sky that led to Constantine’s victory over Maxentius. The Fresco is rich in color and symbolism with odd figures of dragon’s and dwarfs. The cross in the sky is emitting o powerful ray of light with the words “Εν τούτω νίκα” (By this, conquer) the divine message sent to Constantine.

The second room is called the Stanza di Eliodoro (Room of Heliodorus).  The room is a dedication for God’s divine protection granted by Christ. The most prominent fresco in the room is The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple. The fresco captures the story of Heliodorus who was sent to steal the treasures of the Temple of Jerusalem, but was casted away by angels who answered the prayer of the temples priest. In this room, Raphael focused on the emotions of each figure in the frescos. The figures portrayed are moving in dramatic ways that captures the viewer’s attention.  Lighting in each painting also gives the frescoes tension and vivid emotions not portrayed to such degree in the other rooms.

The third room, Stanza della Segnatura (Room of the Signatura) gives credit to worldly and spiritual wisdom and harmony, a common theme in Renaissance humanist. The theme is appropriate considering this is where the papal documents are signed and sealed. The most prominent fresco and perhaps Raphael’s most famous work is The School of Athens which represents the degrees of knowledge and truth acquired through reason. At the center of the fresco are the two Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, highlighting the classical Greek philosophy popular to renaissance humanists. Take a step back and you can see the building is shaped like the Greek cross showing the harmony between Pagan philosophy and Christian theology.  This magnum opus represents the perfect embodiment of the classical spirit of the Renaissance era.

The Forth and last room is called the Stanza dell’incendio del Borgo (Fire in the Borgo) which pays homage to Pope’s Leo III and Leo IV.  The most noteworthy fresco is perhaps the Fire in the Borgo which illustrates Pope Leo IV extinguishing a ravaging fire with his benediction. If you look to your left you can see the incorporation of the classical story of Aeneas (the young man) carrying his father Anchises (the old man being carried) from the fires of Troy; Raphael is symbolizing that Rome has become the new great city of Troy.

The Stanze di Raffaello became Raphael’s greatest work of art. The “Prince of Painters” would forever live on in the four rooms of the Vatican to forever be remembered as one of the greatest artists to live. This concluded For Beginners three part series in Renaissance art leave us a comment and tell us how we did!

To learn more about frescos check out Art Theory For Beginners.

Magnum Opus

A crowd gathers around the masterpiece that is the Pietà. Each observer praised the sculpture as if Mary and her son Jesus were in their midst. One of them asked another “who was the man responsible for this work of genius?” The other replied, “Our Gobbo of Milan.” Michelangelo standing behind the crowed cringed in anger; he said nothing. Resenting that his work was credited to another, that night himself in the chapel with a light and his chisel and carved the words “Michaelagelus Bonarotus Florentin Facieba” (Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, made this) on the sash running across Mary’s chest. This piece would be the only work he ever signed.

The Pietà depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after his crucifixion. The masterpiece was carved out of a single piece of marble. He believed that the marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has. In the Pietà, the genius lies with the balance of Renaissance humanism and classical Greek theory that makes both Mary and Jesus attain such beauty and naturalism. Giorgio Vasari, Renaissance painter, writer, historian and friend of Michelangelo comments:

“The rarest artist could add nothing to its design and grace, or finish the marble with such polish and art, for it displays the utmost limits of sculpture. Among its beauties are the divine draperies, the foreshortening of the dead Christ and the beauty of the limbs with the muscles, veins, sinews, while no better presentation of a corpse was ever made. The sweet air of the head and the harmonious joining of the arms and legs to the torso, with the pulses and veins, are marvelous, and it is a miracle that a once shapeless stone should assume a form that Nature with difficulty produces in flesh.”

-          The Lives

The sculpture retains the shape of a pyramid with the vertex located on Mary’s head. This gives the sculpture balance and gives the illusion that the figures are proportionate to each other. As you can see Mary is substantially bigger than Jesus, the reason being that it is difficult in depicting a fully grown man in a woman’s lap. Michelangelo tackled this by hiding the size of Mary with the full length drapery that she adorns making it appear as if they are naturally proportioned.

As we take a closer look, Michelangelo retained Mary’s youthful appearance. Mary, who was approximately in her late 40’s at the time of Jesus’s death, is depicted as a young, beautiful, elegant, robust woman. Some critics during his time complained that he made the Virgin too young to which he replied:

“Some fools say that he has made the Virgin too young, they ought to know that spotless virgins keep their youth for a long time, while people afflicted like Christ do the reverse”

-          The Lives

He was thought to also say that he was thinking of his own mothers face when, who had passed when he was only 5 years old, while he was working on the project.

 Michelangelo wanted the Pietà to be less about death and more of a sense of serenity. But there is a feeling of physical isolation between the two figures as in the real sense of death. Michelangelo himself, an orphan in his own right, you can feel how his life was poured into this sculpture. His magnum opus.

Learn more about Michelangelo and Renaissance sculpture with Art Theory For Beginners!

Put On Your Monocle! We're Learning About Classical Art!

Today, For Beginners will embark on a mission to enlighten our readers in the study of fine arts; more specifically, the study of the Italian Renaissance art. Over the next week we’ll be analyzing three of the most well-known paintings and sculptures of this era.

The Renaissance artist was the creation of Italian patrons who supported the humanist ideals. Wealthy families such as the Medici, Este, and Sforza’s were able to support and commission new works around the Italian Peninsula. Soon, artists such as da Vinci, Cennini, Lancillotti and Michelangelo became revered names in the Italian art scene.

Renaissance art follow’s a number of practical theories to help the observers see the meaning behind the sculptures, frescos and paintings they create. They wanted to make works that were highly representational, but also retain poetic imagination and wonder.  Today, we’re going to analyze Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks using renaissance art theorist Lancillotti’s fundamental elements of painting: drawing, color, composition and artistic invention:  

                                                             

Virgin of the Rocks was a project of altarpieces contracted by Prior Bartolomeo Scorlione for his oratory in San Francesco in 1480. The painting shows the admiration of the Devine Infant next to the baby John the Baptist along with an angel. Now, when you first gaze at the painting, your eyes immediately adjust to the youthful and graceful face of the Virgin Mary. Her face is lighted up in contrast to the dark shadows casted by the rock and fauna formations that make up the background of the painting. She is seated, showing her humility. Her head is without a halo, highlighting the realism and beauty of Mary. This is the first time a renaissance artist has completely removed the halos from divine figures such as Mary and Jesus.

As you work your way through the painting, you’re compelled to look to the bottom right as the next focus point. Mary’s hand is seen hovering above the infant Jesus in a motherly gesture of protection. The angel guides your eyes towards the infant John the Baptist you has his hands in prayer to infant Jesus you in turn blesses him, forming a perfect triangle.

 Da Vinci used the theory of the Golden Section which relates to the “sacred geometry” in both Greek and Islamic classical art. This theory was thought to be a perfect “God-given” and economic ratio. It enabled artist to objectively divide up a flat picture in what they believed was the most beautiful way possible.  By having the figures in close proximity and “interacting” through gestures or facing one another. As a result, the theories applied to the Virgin of the Rocks make it more multifaceted, elegant and graceful.

To learn more about analyzing artwork and techniques check out Art Theory For Beginners.

I'm Just a Bill...But I Know I'll be a Law Someday!

Phew, you sure have to climb a whole lot of stairs to get to the Capital Building, but I wonder what that sad little scrap of paper is?  Oh that’s H.R.4170, better known as the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 that was introduced by Congressman Hansen Clarke (D-MI).  The bill, if passed, would forgive the remaining student loan debt to any citizen who has made monthly payments for 10 years. The bill states:

“After the borrower has made 120 monthly payments described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall forgive—the balance of principal and fees due on the borrower’s eligible loans as of the time of such forgiveness, not to exceed $45,520.”

Paragraph (1) simply states the payment amount can be no less than 10 percent of the borrower’s discretionary income that will in turn, provide forgiveness in 10 years.

So what does all this mean for us Generation Y’ers like me?  It means that someone in Congress has realized the ticking time bomb that is the student loan debt crises. As the bill states, student loan debt officially surpassed credit card debt in the United States in 2010, and will exceed $1,000,000,000,000 this year! That’s 12 zero’s folks. Student loans, if not mediated, could be the next foreseeable bubble to burst that could have the same impact as the 2008 recession.

Mounting tuition costs and fees are hindering the economic and more importantly our nation’s academic growth. Student’s often have no other choice to but to amass, what my friends and I consider “soul crushing” debt to obtain an education that will earn us a living wage. Congressman Clarke it the nail right on the head with the statement:

 “Faced with excessive repayment burdens, many individuals are unable to start businesses, invest, or buy homes. Relieving student loan debt would give these individuals greater control over their earning and would increase entrepreneurship and demand for goods and services”

Though there are many who argue on the position of “why should I have my tax’s pay for your education” and so on, consider the following.  Seven of the top ten countries with the highest level of education have universal education from kindergarten to universities. India which is ranked 10^th is working towards universal education because it is of national interest to have an educated population.

Congressman Clarke and his supporters, unlike the other 400 or so representatives are living in the reality of most American’s.  He believes that education should be viewed as a public good benefitting our society rather than a commodity solely benefiting those who can afford higher education. Support this bill, support your education. This isn’t a handout; this is an investment towards the nation’s future. A well-educated citizenry is pivotal for our nation’s ability to compete globally.  

To learn more about how a bill is passed into law check out our upcoming book U.S. Constitution For Beginners!

Women Representation Falls in the 112th Congress

As we conclude the second week of Women’s History month we’re taking a look on the decline of women representatives in congress. For the first time in thirty years the number of women representing American citizens fell in the 112^th Congress. After the November 2010 elections, women holding seats in both house and senate went from 93 seats to 90. The overall percentage fell 17%, lowering the standings of the United States to 73^rd in the world for female representation in government leadership. Currently the United States is tied with Turkmenistan.

With the diluted presence of women in representative seats, issues concerning the female gender have been handled quite carelessly. A recent example is a bill that was proposed by Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo) which would allow not only religious groups, but any employer with moral objections to opt out of providing coverage for contraceptives required by the 2010 healthcare law. Though the bill was defeated in the senate with a 51 to 48 vote largely through party lines, it failed to recognize the woman’s voice. As Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) put it “If the Senate was 83 women and 17 men instead of the other way around, the Blunt Amendment would never have made it to the Senate floor.”

Women’s issues will continue to be minimalized as female representatives continue declining as it has with the 112^th Congress. A woman will always know what is best for a woman.

To learn more about Women’s issues and accomplishments check out Women’s History For Beginners and our interview with the author of Women’s History, Bonnie J. Morris, Ph.D. for more insight.

Existentialism and the Baby Boomers

Existentialism for Beginners has been a core component of Brent Green, author of Marketing to Leading-Edge Baby Boomers, proposal to bring business possibilities revolving around the male Baby Boomers. Existentialism is the philosophical belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject; not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual. “It's a philosophy for today as all Americans struggle to discover how to redefine and reinvent themselves in a time of much economic uncertainty and global unrest, a time when traditional institutions seem to be faltering.”

Green, in a Huffington Post blog, argues that with Boomer men recognizing the end of their primary careers and future uncertainties, the need for an existentialist outlook is paramount to avoid falling between the cracks. “Many are now considering how to avoid becoming standardized aging humans.” 

With Baby Boomers now well into their 50’s and 60’s many understand their fundamental values and establish how those particular values can be best conveyed for personal development and sharing its benefits with others. Green says “According to researchers, humans seem to find great happiness early in adulthood and then again late in life, beyond 50 and 60. Between those bookends looms a mid-life slump when we feel least happy with our situation.”

Green also suggests that this particular generation of men known to challenge authority confronts this stage of life, “actions can emerge.” The generation of men that have acknowledged feminism and racial diversity can create a new image that follows the beliefs of existentialism.  As the great writers of existentialism would insist, Boomer men must overcome all forces absorbing them to become standardized old men. 

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day kicks off today as an occasion to honor and praise women for their accomplishments to the home and society. This year’s theme will focus on connecting and inspiring the futures of young women around the world. As a result various countries and organizations are observing March 8^th in different ways:

 The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for greater action to help mothers and wives of people who have since gone missing during armed conflicts, most notably in the African continent. On top of the anguish of not knowing what has happened to the missing person, many women face economic and social hardships as a result. 

The “Rock the Lips” effort headed by AKQA, an interactive marketing company, is bringing awareness of the fact that there is an International Woman’s Day by applying red lipstick and posting pictures to various social media sites such as Tumblr. Their efforts would help bring attention to issues such as gender inequality, education, healthcare and violence towards women. 

So let us all think globally and make a difference, but most importantly let us make every day an International Women’s Day and make sure that the future of girls and women are bright, equal, safe and rewarding. Thanks mom!

Interview with Bonnie J. Morris Author of Women's History For Beginners

Women’s History For Beginners by Bonnie J. Morris, Ph.D. offers a lively, revealing, and provocative overview of this important (and controversial) academic field. Who are the great women of history, and why don’t we know more about them? You don’t need to be a scholar to notice that men’s history dominates everything we learn in school; yet a quick tour of the past reveals dynamic female role models at every turn. More than an introduction to women’s roles and contributions across time; it also examines the ways that women in all societies have been ruled by men, according to law and custom. In this lively interview we discuss the roles of Women in today’s society and common misconceptions of the study of women.

What is so controversial about women’s history?

Why is women's history controversial? Good question! We don't find "men's history" controversial--we assume it's normal. By extension, studying women is an "extra" in school...an afterthought...overlooked, absent, trivialized. Some critics assume that simply being interested in the female experience makes one anti-male; or, by extension, to care about women makes you gay. These are not serious approaches to how, and what, women have contributed to world history, but a good retort is: what's more patriotic or family-focused than admiring your foremothers?  More seriously, much of what happens to women is about the body--where oppression and violence, as well as sexuality, are acted out ON women. It's hard not to address the history of injustices, which makes people uncomfortable.

Will you give your own definition of feminism? Do you consider yourself a feminist?

I am indeed a proud, bold feminist activist. Feminism is the belief (which must be accompanied by action) that women deserve equal rights and opportunities--access to schooling, athletic participation, fair wages and job opportunity, freedom from assault, the right to choose one's partner and one's method of contraception. In very few countries/cultures have women achieved full equality in law and society.

Why focus so much on women’s rights rather than universal rights?

I focus on women's rights BECAUSE, too often, women are not included in "human rights." Too many world leaders assert that men deserve full political freedom and liberty but that women can be held back due to cultural and religious "values." Women must be granted full participation at every level of society. Yep, that includes pro sports, the priesthood, the Supreme Court. We have appalling lack of female power/representation in government and the worst culprits in oppressing women are fundamentalist religious regimes of every faith.

What are your thoughts on royal girls given equal chance to the British crown?

Should females aspire to the crown? Sure, but being a queen in any monarchy is no guarantee of a pro-woman stance. For instance, in my Western Civilization class we look at how Queen Isabella fostered terror and suffering via the Inquisition, expelling Jews and Muslims from Spain. So many women suffered under her rule, or were burned at the stake! 

 Do you believe Judith Sargent Murray would be proud of today’s women as a whole?

Judith Sargent Murray, who was an advocate of female education in the late 18th/early 19th centuries, would be delighted to see that women actually outnumber men at many U.S. colleges today, and, I believe, would relish Title IX law, which bans sex discrimination at federally funded schools. She might major in women's studies!

In your opinion, who is the most influential woman in history?

The most influential woman in history? It is not possible to choose ONE. That is a matter of opinion varying in every culture, nation and creed; for there are outstanding heroines, goddesses, martyrs and leaders across time. On the cover of my book I took care to choose sample representations of influential women: Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, to represent women as beloved leaders (and advocates of self-determination for indigenous peoples); Sojourner Truth, who raised questions about the intersecting rights and identities of black women in America; a suffragist, to symbolize the importance of women's political involvement as citizens; the Venus of Willendorf, who represents mothers and female spiritual power; and Rosie the Riveter, to symbolize who women have worked--at unfair wages--to support family and country, or as industrial inventors. In the U.S. I believe Rosa Parks is a very influential symbol, though there were many other women in the civil rights movement. Certainly Susan B. Anthony worked tirelessly to gain the vote; and then there's a more global view of how we each had "influential women" in our personal histories. As a Jewish woman and also a lesbian scholar, my identity has been historically influenced by everyone--from Pharaoh’s daughter, who rescued Moses, to Sappho, whose life story gave us the word "Lesbian" in the West. But an Irish feminist might name the Virgin Mary and Nell McCafferty as influential; an athlete, Billie Jean King; and women from Viet Nam, or Brazil, or Samoa, or the Cherokee Nation, would all name different heroines.

What is your reaction to the claim that feminism is causing reverse-sexism in today’s culture?

Feminism is not reverse sexism. It is an unfinished movement to grant women equal access. It HAS meant some men have had to share what was once entirely theirs (athletic budgets, Ivy League schools, the Senate.) Hence some men perceive equality as a loss... or, if women get to do what was once male-only, it devalues that activity by feminizing it...

What would have to change in order to have true equality between sexes?

To attain true equality, first we need to end rape and domestic assault. Too many women live in fear in their own homes, or, right now, are suffering the impact of rape as a tool of war, throughout the world. Religion can empower women, but organized religion and its protected institutions are chief culprits in permitting men complete power over women in some communities; thus, I support separation of church and state. Look at what's going on now with the debate over contraception for American women--in 2012! I also think schools MUST educate girls and women in the developing world, this history is of course why for so long men have interpreted law--women were banned from studying or interpreting Scripture or other legal texts which governed their bodies.

Bonnie J. Morris earned her Ph.D in Women’s history from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She has also Harvard Divinity Schools’ first graduate seminar on Hasidic women in America and later published her doctoral dissertation as Lubavitcher Women in America. She has also taught Women’s Studies at both George Washington University and Georgetown since 1994.