Chiaroscuro

This painting is one of many versions of the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi, a well-known female painter of the Baroque period. Although she gained acclaim as a painter, few women of her time had the opportunity to become an artist, a privilege afforded to her in part because her father owned a studio and painted, as well. In the Bible, Holofernes, an Assyrian bully and enemy to Israel, slaughtered his way into the city of Bethulia, a town at the entrance…

Struck by death: Goliath and David in masterpieces by Caravaggio and Nicholas Poussin The biblical story of David and Goliath is told in 1 Samuel 17. The background for the well-known battle was the war between Philistines and Israelites. Goliath, a gigantic champion on the side of Philistines, was ready to fight one-on-one a warrior from the Israelites camp. ‘Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not…

of the dress around the bosom flowing around the shoulder and elbow are painted to show the transparent quality with golden fringes on the edges. With a golden bow tied across the back of the dress fading into the dark background, similar to the chiaroscuro effect used by many artists. The simplistic pose of Marie-Antoinette depicts her occupied by some flower arrangements she is tending to, and only glancing at the viewer for a moment . Although deliberately done, you get the sense that she…

Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-LeBrun, a Rococo era painter turned Neoclassical, was born in Paris on April 16, 1755. She lived to be eighty—seven as “one of the foremost portraitists in Europe at the end of the eighteenth century and during the first three decades of the nineteenth” (NGA, web) (May, 1). Spanning a long career with over 600 paintings, Vigée-LeBrun is “characterized” and marveled “…as the much sought-after portraitist of not only European royalty and nobility, but also of notable…

Sir Peter Paul Rubens’ drawing style was not only influential upon contemporary and Rococo artists, but was often directly copied, leading to widespread misattributions. However, there are distinctive stylistic characteristics inherent within Rubens’ trois crayons drawings which, when identified, allow for correct identification. I have been fortunate in being allowed access to the Arkansas Arts Center’s permanent collection which includes an exquisite drawing by Rubens (1577-1640) entitled…

Theme: Feminism Can you name some artists? Well, there are Leonardo Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Claude Monet and Michelangelo. Unfortunately, not a female artist is mentioned. More often than not, male artist tends to gain more recognition compared to a female who has got the same ability and talent as him. Out of the many works displayed, only a small percentage out of them is from a female artist. Why is it so? Through certain scientific reports, it is said that the males are more capable than the…