1] It was commissioned by the de' Medici family, and...
Art Critique Debate! (Not Drawing Competition)
I am, it seems, placed in a rather awkward spot. I have no doubt on the good character of my opponent, and I do not wish to cause drama, yet I feel it would be unfair towards me to not point this out. Two things ought to be said: a. this competition was regarding art, as in painting of sculptures, not photography; b. my opponent gave more than one piece to be appraised. For the first I guess it was never expressly mentioned, but the second should be assumed. It is unfair that my opponent gets to place 9 photos, and so I ask the voters to take this unfairness into consideration when casting their ballot. To what must happen, I leave to the wit of the august judges. This is the last round, and so I am posting one of the greatest paintings ever made. Not only does the art have an immensely different style, an impressive allusion, but it is also a sight for sore eyes. I present: 'The Birth of Venus' by Sandro Botecelli.[1] It was commissioned by the de' Medici family, and displays the classic signs of Florentine Art. Florence was perhaps the city most artistic, and this is one of the Florentine masterpieces. The painting itself shows the story of Aphrodite (Venus) as she emerges from the sea. As we know when Uranus was cut into pieces, the pieces fell into the sea, and out came Venus.[2] Venus then, the goddess of both infautation, and of true love is displayed. One will, in further inspection, find the classics of Platonism displayed in the painting. Instead of showing the genetalia which is common for Aphrodite, the painter thought to rather cover it up with a golden lock of hair. Also instantly another goddess comes to wrap a shall around Venus. Venus' face is significant. Contrasting to many Greek images her face here is made a bit solemn, as if wisdom is hidden behind her beauty. This is what this truly signified, behind all the infatuation, there is a transcendence so described by Socrated in Plato's Symposium. The picture in itself is instantly captivating. To make this is truly a difficult work. You will once more see the flowers overlaping the Titan's clothes, different contrasting colors of blue have also been used. Instead of long brushstokes this painting is nearly entiirely made of small, precise strokes. Also the color is to be spoken of. Instead of use normal colors, Botecelli made his own colors, using oild and egg whites.The result that you get is that beautiful haziness to be found in the left side, contrast the haziness of the precision of the trees on the right. The more you look at this painting, the more it shall reveal. I truly feel this is a fitting painting for the last round. I thank FaustianJustice for this competition. [1]http://en.wikipedia.org...(Botticelli)#mediaviewer/File:Sandro_Botticelli_-_La_nascita_di_Venere_-_Google_Art_Project_-_edited.jpg [2]http://en.wikipedia.org...