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A True Baroque Era Painting: Girl with a Pearl Earring

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  Photo via  www.mauritshuis.nl Johannes Vermeer painted Girl with a Pearl Earring  in 1665 in the city of Delft in the Netherlands. Vermeer painted only 35 paintings before his death, Girl with a Pearl Earring  being arguably his most famous. I chose this piece to write about because upon learning the origin of the term Baroque  (which was derived from the Portuguese word Barocco , meaning irregularly shaped pearl), I immediately thought of this painting. The pearl in this painting would not have been based on a real pearl, but rather an artificial one, due to its large size and teardrop shape. To the uneducated or misinformed viewer, this painting may originally be mistaken for a portrait. It is, however, a tronie. You can distinguish that this is a tronie because of the unknown identity of the subject. In addition, the girl in the painting is wearing costume-like attire, such as her turban. Johannes Vermeer had been Protestant until he married his Catholic wife, Catharina Bolnes, an
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Francesco del Cossa's Saint Lucy: A Mannerist's Depiction

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  Photo via  https://www.nga.gov Francesco del Cossa's Saint Lucy  (1473/1474) depicts St. Lucy, the patron saint of the blind. This was, unlike other Renaissance paintings, not painted with oil paints, but with the older medium of tempera. While at first glance, this painting may seem like an ordinary Renaissance painting, a further look into the details show that this painting falls into the budding mannerist category. The mannerist movement, which reached its peak more than 50 years after this painting was created, exaggerates lines and distorts the anatomy of subjects. Many people believe this style to be a commentary on the ideas and norms of the time period, specifically those perpetuated by the Church. Despite its earlier creation, this painting shows some of the key characteristics of mannerism. For example, St. Lucy's eyes in this painting may seem to be simply looking to the side at first glance. However, when you look more closely, you see that her eyes are very dist
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The Elements of Art in Gustav Klimt's The Kiss: An Art Analysis

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  Photo via  www.gustav-klimt.com Gustav Klimt's 1907 painting The Kiss is a prime example of the use of multiple visual elements of art that create an enticing work of art. Painted in Austria, this painting is the last of Klimt's "Golden Period." The full effect of the painting is only efficient because of the careful and thoughtful use of line, shape, color, and pattern. Line The outline of the couple creates an organic shape that directly contrasts the straight lines that make up the shapes found within the man's clothing. Conversely, they coordinate with the softer lines that make up the circles in the woman's dress. The general organic feel of the outline creates a calming feeling that surrounds the couple. Additionally, the vertical lines in the clothing create a sense of strength and stability. Shape The round shapes found within the woman's clothing suggest a gentleness that surrounds the woman. In contrast, the sharp rectangles that are found wit
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Welcome to my Blog: An Introduction

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 Hello! My name is Emily King, and this is my first year studying at UAF. Before moving to Alaska to live with my husband, who was stationed at Fort Wainwright unexpectedly, I lived in Arizona, and studied at The University of Arizona for a year. I am a secondary education major, and I plan on becoming a high school English teacher, but not before exploring Alaska with my husband and our two huskies! The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego, and Senor Xolotl , Frida Kahlo, 1949 Photo via fridakahlo.org I have always been a fan of all forms of art, and I have always been a strong advocate for funding the arts in any and all ways possible. I personally love to create, paint, and draw. I also dream of visiting many museums/exhibits such as The Louvre, MOMA, The Met, the Vatican Museums, and many more. I have always been a very big fan of Frida Kahlo because I admire her persistence to express herself, as well as her advocacy for women, equality, and the disabled
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