Video Reviews

The Drawings of Michelangelo

The key concepts/ideas of this video are through looking at Michelangelo's drawings we can see his techniques and how he is a perfectionist. Michelangelo claimed to not be influenced by Ghirlandaio through his artwork but when compared there are similarities between the artists. The "Pieta" was Michelangelo's signature sculpture. It was surprising how much he knew about human anatomy for that particular time. The sculpture of "David" was the first colossal marble sculpture to be carved since antiquity. When his drawings were analyzed it was revealed that he emphasized the solar plexus of human figure. The Sistine Chapel was Michelangelo's greatest and most difficult work. In 1508 he began by painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was then called by the Medici pope to design the Medici family church in San Lorenzo. In the end it became a funeral home and family tomb. He had a strong passion for the male form. It is believed that Christianity was his artistic driving force. Michelangelo created his Crucifixion drawings while thinking of his own death. He explored feelings of dread and hope.

I chose this video because I always loved the painting of the Sistine Chapel along with other works of Michelangelo. Therefore i chose to watch this video to learn more about Michelangelo and his works of art.

 

La Primavera (Botticelli)

The key concepts/ideas of Botticelli's "La Primavera" is it has been fro centuries subject to many interpretations about the meaning. The great size and presents captures visitor's attention in the gallery. There are nine figures that stand in a meadow. Botticelli worked under Fra Filippo Lippi as an apprentice. He learned how to depict female movement. This was done through drapery techniques. "La Primavera" brings out religious sentiments. Venus and Cupid are referred to the virgin and child. They are portrayed in the same light. It is said the painting was originally commissioned for Lorenzo's nephew as a wedding gift. It is said it hung over the bed in a Florentine townhouse. Botticelli's paintings portrayed themes of rape and violence. "La Primavera" portrays the opposite and how life can end in a happy marriage. The secret to Botticelli's ethereal magic in his paintings is he paints with egg tempura. Certain flowers in the painting are associated with marriage. In 1743 the last Medici died and passed on the painting to the city of Florence. It caused a sensation in the early 19th century. Simeon Solomon responded to the "La Primavera" was great feelings of sadness due to the artist's sexuality. The painting is often mocked and is in high demand with its sexual overtones. Flora is the most popular figure in the painting. It is a beautiful Florentine. The question does remain if the character in question is a male or female in the painting.

I chose this painting because I have heard of it and new there was some controversy associated with it. Therefore when I saw it was one of the choices in videos I had to hear more about it. I picked the video because I had a little background knowledge of it and was wondering more about it.

 

How do the videos relate to the readings in the text?

 

The videos relate to the text because they elaborate on the reading material by providing a visual.  The movies help us to visually place the readings and give us a better grasp on it.

 

What is your opinion of the films? How do they add depth to understanding of the readings and art concepts?

 

I liked the films because I had some previous knowledge on them before watching.  I found them very interesting and entertaining to watch.  They add depth because they provide some background on the art that we see in the book.  The videos help us to have a better understanding of how and why these paintings were created.