Art Course Blog

  Allegory of War by Jan Brueghel the Younger           This infamous painting was painted by Jan Brueghel at the end of The Thirty-Year War, in 1640. This war was the cause of over 8 million deaths across Europe. I love this photo and how there is so much going on and so much to look at. One thing the artist included was a great use of symbolism. There is a lot of weapons laid about within the photo to symbolize the countless deaths caused by this war. Also, there is a lot of animals fighting in this piece. The animals are there to signify zodiac signs, and another way to show the deaths that became due to this long battle. I love the colors used in this piece, the red really stands out to me as it is against a darker background, as well as a large contrast from the light colors used to show the sky. To me, this really shows how death and destruction are at the hands of humanity on earth and there is peace from the gods. Jan Brueghel also used th...

  Michelangelo, Pieta, c. 1498-1500, marble Background: This sculpture was created by Michelangelo in Rome the year of 1498. This was made after he was commissioned by  Jean de Billheres to make a piece of art for the St Peters Basilica. The sculpture is named Pieta and is carved with marble.  ("Michelangelo’s Pieta") Story of Pieta:   Michelangelo said the story of the art is that it is the Virgin Mary depicted holding the body of Christ after his crucifixion, before being placed in his tomb. This is known as  The Seven Sorrows of Mary and was said to be a key event within her life.  ("Michelangelo’s Pieta") I think this artwork is absolutely beautiful. I love his choice in media, using a stone as hard and beautiful as marble. There is so much emotion within Mary's face and it's amazing to think he was able to carve something as hard as stone and make it look soft like skin. Michelangelo said he sculpted Mary to be larger than the body of Christ and use...