Modern Art Midterm 2

What is the subject matter here? What French art tradition is this landscape is part of? What recent art historic movement influenced Matisse’s technique?

artist: MATISSE

movement: Fauvism

subject matter: bathers by the ocean

french tradition: Arcadia/human and nature harmony

movement that influenced: neo-impressionists, pointalists

How is this portrait characteristic of Fauvism? What non-European influences are present here?

artist: MATISSE

movement: Fauvism

fauvism characteristics: expressive, unnatural use of color

non euro influence: the masks

What French art tradition does this belong to? What elements from that tradition are included in this painting? (hint: shepherds)

artist: MATISSE

movement: Fauvism

french tradition: Arcadia/human and nature harmony

elements of tradition: pastoral,

What is this abstract sculpture depicting? How does it convey its meaning?

artist: BRANCUSI

movement: None

depicting: a bird, essence of a bird

convey meaning: upward motion, movement of bird

What is this scene representing? How is this work tied to themes/subjects of The Bridge? What makes this an “expressionist” painting?

artist: KIRCHNER

movement: German Expressionism (Specific Group: The Bridge)

representing: a city street

the bridge: bridge was looking at modern urban life/anxiety of it

expressionist: unnatural use of color

How is this work tied to themes/subjects of The Bridge? How is it “primitivist?” How does it show a colonialist perspective?

artist: NOLDE

movement: German Expressionism (Specific Group: The Bridge)

the bridge: about urban modern of another culture

primitivist: portraying another culture

colonial perspective: looking at other cultures as ‘free’

What is non-objective art? What is Kandinsky’s message in abstract works such as this? What other art form influenced him and why? (hint: not a visual art)

artist: KANDINSKY

movement: German Expressionism (Specific Group: Blue Rider)

non-objective: abstract art

his message: spirituality

influenced by what: music

What is Marc’s color symbolism here, that is, what did he believe the color blue meant? How is this work connected to the themes of The Blue Ride group?

artist: MARC

movement: German Expressionism

symbolism of blue: blue is spirituality

themes of blue rider: masculine spiritual

What makes this a “first” in the history of (self) portraiture? What makes her work “expressionist” and why? How is this work Modern?

artist: PAULA MODERSOHN-BECKER

movement: Expressionism

first because: first pregnant self portrait

expressionist because: looking at her as a human being/mother

modern because: modernity lies in subject and who painted it

How does it fit into its period (Blue, Rose, Analytic Cubism, Synthetic Cubism) in terms of its subject matter & style?

artist: PICASSO

movement: Blue Period

fits into this period because: earliest days of paris, homesick and very sad and struggling

How does it fit into its period (Blue, Rose, Analytic Cubism, Synthetic Cubism) in terms of its subject matter & style?

artist: PICASSO

movement: Rose Period

fits into this period because: more optimistic, nostalgic of past

How does it fit into its period (Blue, Rose, Analytic Cubism, Synthetic Cubism) in terms of its subject matter & style? How would you summarize what Cubism was trying to do?

artist: PICASSO

movement: Analytic Cubism Period

fits into this period because: breaking apart of forms, analyzing space and see things from multiple points of view

How does it fit into its period (Blue, Rose, Analytic Cubism, Synthetic Cubism) in terms of its subject matter & style? How would you summarize what Cubism was trying to do?

artist: PICASSO

movement: Synthetic Cubism Period

fits into this period because: taking things from around him to create something else like from magazines

What is the subject matter of this work? What sources/influences does Picasso include (hint: non-European art)? What made this work Modern and shocking to viewers? How is it primitivist?

artist: PICASSO

movement: NONE

subject matter: prostitutes from whore house

influences: african masks/ non euro art

modern/shocking: prostitute as subject

primivist: european artists looking at african art as source of inspiration

What earlier Modern artist influenced this specific painting and the Cubists Braque & Picasso? In what ways does it show this artist’s influence?

artist: BRAQUE

movement: Cubism

influenced by: Cezanne

shows influence by: breaking apart of the still life/landscape into basic shapes like Cezanne did

What was this work made from? Why was it radical? How does it relate to Cubist experimentation?

artist: PICASSO

movement: Cubism

made from: scrap cardboard/wire

radical cuz: made of basic everyday nonart materials

relates to experimentation: breaking apart forms and reassembling them

What prior Modern art theories of color and form influenced this work? How is this subject related to Futurist themes?

artist: BALLA

movement: Futurism

prior theories: pointillism

futurist cuz: loved technology/speed/motion/light

What is the subject here and how does it connect to earlier Modern art movements? How is this work Futurist?

artist: SEVERINI

movement: Futurism

subject / connects to earlier modern art: dance hall, modern day leisure

futurist cuz: broke things apart and added color and motion

What is this sculpture representing and how is it related to Futurist themes?

artist: BOCCIONI

movement: Futurism

representing: human power/speed/movement

futurist cuz: in motion, strength, undergoing change

What other Modern art movements influenced Chagall here? What religious, cultural, and folk traditions did Chagall draw on in his artwork?

artist: CHAGALL

movement: NONE

influenced by: cubism

other traditions: jewish folk traditions

Why is this work considered “metaphysical?” What imagery does De Chirico use to create mystery and melancholy? What does “juxtaposition” mean and how is it used here?

artist: DE CHIRICO

movement: Metaphysical School

metaphysical because: outside of the real, mysterious, liminal

imagery for melancoly: architecutral classical forms, child, carriage

juxtaposition: unlikely things coming together, classical forms and elusive shapes/shadows

Why did Malevich paint just a black square? What Russian tradition did he use in his installation (placement) of this painting?

artist: MALEVICH

movement: Russian Suprematism

black square cuz: spirituality, pure feeling

russian tradition: religious icon set in highest part of room

What Modern technique of photography is El Lissitzky using? What Constructivist concept of the artist is conveyed in this self-portrait?

artist: EL LISSITZKY

movement: Russian Constructivism

photo technique: photo montage/collage

constructivist concept: artist is not a fine artist but a constructor and engineer

What kind of materials did Tatlin use in Counter-Relief? What did the artist mean by his principle of “truth to materials?” What makes this a Constructivist work?

artist: TATLIN

movement: Russian Constructivism

materials used: rope/wood/metal/hardware

truth to materials: materials used as they are and not as representing something else

constructivist cuz: taking materials and constructing something out of them

What was the function of this work? How is this work tied to the goals of the Communist Revolution and the Russian Constructivists?

artist: RODCHENKO

movement: Russian Constructivism

function of work: an Ad for a bookstore.

tied to communist goals cuz: artwork for commercial purpose to serve the goals of the state