Reading: Debora Silverman, “Art Nouveau, Art of Darkness: African Lineages of Belgian Modernism, Part 1”, West 86th: A Journal of Decorative Arts, Design History & Material Culture, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Fall-Winter 2011): 139- 181. In Pursuit of The Irresistible Topos In pursuit of a national art identity, or “gesamtkunstwerk” (143), King Leopold II facilitated … Continue reading A Reading Reflection – In Pursuit of The Irresistible Topos
La Belle Iseult vs. Woodpecker Tapestry
William Morris, founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood interpreted Medievalism in his work as an aesthetic devotion to the cultural expressions of that period. Influenced by the ideals of Ruskin and Marx, Morris saw Socialism as a path to counteract the ugliness of industrialized production, an ideology to promote the Arts and Crafts aesthetic of … Continue reading La Belle Iseult vs. Woodpecker Tapestry
A Visual Reflection on: The Hayloft by Rosa Brett
The Autobiography Of A Painting There is far less information written about Rosa Brett than other members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. According to Nunn (1984, 633), it was the intention of the artist to be an outsider of this group. Starting with the use of the masculine pseudonym, Rosarius, to her aversion of socializing with … Continue reading A Visual Reflection on: The Hayloft by Rosa Brett
Defining beneficial inconsistencies in pursuit of art for the masses
The history and legacy of the New Deal arts program is intertwined with the Mexican muralist movement. Its role in the evolution of public art helped define the Americana voice and opened the possibility for an ever-evolving American art scene. The practice of painting murals was present in the USA before FDRs New Deal. The … Continue reading Defining beneficial inconsistencies in pursuit of art for the masses
The New Renaissance Mindset 