Iconography: Art and Claude Monet
Understanding Iconography
Jeremy Kivi
ART/101
May 19, 2013
Elizabeth Unterman
In art there are endless ways one can express themselves. Specifically, there are four roles of an artist. Each of which are essential to distinguishing an artist and their style as well as how their art speaks to the viewer. The four roles of an artist consist of helping us see the world in new and innovative ways, create a visual record of their time and place, make functional objects and structures more pleasurable by imbuing them with beauty and meaning, and finally, they give form to the immaterial ideas and feelings (A World of Art, 2010) Two works of art that distinguish artistic roles very well are Jahangir in Darbar, and Claude Monet’s representation of Gare Saint-Lazare. In the painting Jahangir in Darbar, the artist makes a visual record of an audience that Jahangir is holding at court. This allows observers to place themselves in this setting. Also, the diversity of the crowd signifies the ethnic and religious tolerance of the Mughal court (A World of Art, 2010) In Claude Monet’s representation of Gar Saint-Lazare, it allows an observer to see through the eyes of the artist. Though this was not the “prettiest” of scenes, Claude Monet captured what he exemplifies to be not only the future of Paris, but also the future of modernity itself (A World of Art, 2010). In the city of Paris there was much more elegant sceneries in which could have been recorded by Claude Monet. The city has gradually transformed, but instead he grasped what he thought to be the heart of the new modern city. This symbolized growth in the modern world and allowed the viewer to make there own conclusion of what is to come. As one can see, artists configure ways to speak to the viewer. The roles of an artist help distinguish certain traits in their work. The use of symbolism helps give there artwork meaning. In the end, it is up to the viewer to recognize these traits
Jeremy Kivi
ART/101
May 19, 2013
Elizabeth Unterman
In art there are endless ways one can express themselves. Specifically, there are four roles of an artist. Each of which are essential to distinguishing an artist and their style as well as how their art speaks to the viewer. The four roles of an artist consist of helping us see the world in new and innovative ways, create a visual record of their time and place, make functional objects and structures more pleasurable by imbuing them with beauty and meaning, and finally, they give form to the immaterial ideas and feelings (A World of Art, 2010) Two works of art that distinguish artistic roles very well are Jahangir in Darbar, and Claude Monet’s representation of Gare Saint-Lazare. In the painting Jahangir in Darbar, the artist makes a visual record of an audience that Jahangir is holding at court. This allows observers to place themselves in this setting. Also, the diversity of the crowd signifies the ethnic and religious tolerance of the Mughal court (A World of Art, 2010) In Claude Monet’s representation of Gar Saint-Lazare, it allows an observer to see through the eyes of the artist. Though this was not the “prettiest” of scenes, Claude Monet captured what he exemplifies to be not only the future of Paris, but also the future of modernity itself (A World of Art, 2010). In the city of Paris there was much more elegant sceneries in which could have been recorded by Claude Monet. The city has gradually transformed, but instead he grasped what he thought to be the heart of the new modern city. This symbolized growth in the modern world and allowed the viewer to make there own conclusion of what is to come. As one can see, artists configure ways to speak to the viewer. The roles of an artist help distinguish certain traits in their work. The use of symbolism helps give there artwork meaning. In the end, it is up to the viewer to recognize these traits
References: Sayre, H. M. (2010). The Visual World. In A World of Art (6th ed., pp. 6,7). Prentice Hall.