Heather Kangas

My blog today for the Romantic Era, I want to chose two works of art from each the Impressionism and the Post Impressionism. Four works in all done by four different artists.  Spring Flowers(Peonies)  by William Merritt Chase, 1886, Pastel on Paper and wrapped around a canvas with wooden strainer.  Spring Flowers (Peonies) - Conversations with the Collection - Terra Foundation for American Art (terraamericanart.org) My first work of art is done by William Merritt Chase, alive from 1849 to 1916, from the Impressionism Era.  Chase became a well known artist/teacher in America.  His use of pastels along with oils sets him above others. It was during this Era that the Japanese came out of its isolation policy from the out side world, and the world became inspired by the Japanese style painting. Chase, along with many other artists, became enthralled by art from Japan (Japonisme). Although he did not experience first hand any trips to Japan, he lived up his fantasy through the works of coll

I wanted to focus on the Revolution  and Art of the Classical Era.  The history of Napoleon in Europe with his short lived victory that are a huge part of the French Revolution.  Many artists find inspiration in the revolutionary period of the 18th and 19th Century from the French Revolution and the American Revolution.    Death of Socrates   Painted by Jacques Louis David, Oil on Canvas 1787 Jacques Louis David | The Death of Socrates | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) David wanted to create his image of Socrates from the story, Phaedo, and also the use of David's study from other archeologists.   The history behind Socrates chosen suicide rather than be killed showed his unwillingness to be put down by authority in his era to prove injustice or rather not fall to the unjust authority who were on his heel to take him to his death.  This depiction gives us a view of virtuous behavior captured very well by the artist.  This work of art created by David directly after t

 I have chosen a work done by Judith Leyster, her work of Two Children with a Cat. She created this piece of art with oil on canvas back in 1629. She was a Dutch painter from 1609-1660. Web Gallery of Art, searchable fine arts image database (wga.hu) Judith Leyster created a work that shows motion or a moment in time that shows an illusion of motion.  It looks as though this piece of work can come to life any moment, almost as though you can hear the children laughing a playing. The Renaissance period showed works of art that portrayed naturalism and harmony, her work has a heightened realism.   Leyster uses dramatic changes in color in this painting, shades from very dark to bright highlights.  This use of dramatic changes really catches the eye of viewers, including mine. This characteristic of being overly exaggerated with darks and lights is another character of the Baroque period. I can appreciate the deep rich colors expressed in this painting, especially the bright red cap to th