Art in perspective
Inspired by Dr. Anunaya Chaubey's talk at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.
"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." Leonardo Da Vinchi
Leonardo da Vinci's work was inherently multidisciplinary, blending art, science, mathematics, anatomy, and engineering. He collaborated with mathematician Luca Pacioli on Divina Proportione, a three-book exploration of the Golden Ratio where he illustrated and explained mathematical concepts.
In partnership with anatomist Marc Antonio Dalla Torre, he advanced the study of human anatomy, influencing modern medical texts. Leonardo believed true knowledge comes from emperical observation, not from books alone. He viewed art as a science and sought to bridge the gap between the two disciplines. So far, thirteen Nobel prizes have been given to researchers for their multidisciplinary work.
Some art is retinal, which implies that is focuses on visual appeal aesthetics and surface-level beauty.
The Palais Garnier in Paris is a good example of visual granduer. It was built between 1861 and 1875 and is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Opéra Beaux-Arts architecture.
"The Raft of the Medusa" (1818-1819), by Theodore Gericault, shown in the image below, is an example of emotive and visceral painting, depicting the horror of a real-life event (the 1816 Medusa shipwreak) with vivid, disturbing details.
A Cobbler’s Workshop. Oil painting (1881–82).
Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) in Berlin
Source: Max Libermann, Schusterwerkstatt
Light pours in through the window and visibly flows around figures and objects alike, showcasing Liebermann’s incipient moves towards principals of impressionism.
Impressionism (1870–1900) focused on capturing light and colour with emphasis on everyday life, modernity, and urbanity, with an interest in movement and immediacy.
'Movement' was characterised by short, broken brushstrokes and capturing dynamic gestures and life in motion. Painters used soft brushstrokes and blurred edges to convey movement.
'Immediacy' implies that the artist painted outdoor observations directly instead of painting in a studio setup to capture fleeting moments and light effects. This was done by applying layers on paint without waiting for the previous layer to dry.(Wet On Wet)
The Iron Rolling Mill (German: Eisenwalzwerk)
Source: Adolph Menzel. Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin.
Adolph Menzel's "The Iron Rolling Mill" (Eisenwalzwerk) is considered a masterpiece of Realism (specifically, Industrial Realism).
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Realism (1848-1870): Focus on accurate depiction of everyday life, social issues, and industrialisation.
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Industrial Realism: A subgenre emphasising the impact of industrialisation on society.
What's special about "The Iron Rolling Mill"?
1. Unromanticized portrayal: Menzel depicted the harsh realities of industrial labour.
2. Innovative composition: The painting's diagonal structure and dramatic lighting create a dynamic, immersive experience.
3. Attention to detail: Menzel's meticulous rendering of industrial machinery and workers' movements.
4. Social commentary: The painting highlights the struggles and dangers faced by industrial workers.
"Are you really sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling?"
-MC Escher
Question your assumptions.
Mr. MC Eicher's mathematically inspired work combined with his imagination is a quintissential example of cerebral art. In it, he derives inspiration from mathematical concepts such as tessellations (repeating patterns), symmetry, hyperbolic geometry, fractals, and paradoxical constructions to exemplify the interplay between reality and illusion. Escher's work also falls under optical art, which manipulates perception through visual illusions. Its also conceptual art, emphasising ideas over visual appeal.
"The worst enemy of creativity is self-doubt."
M.C. Escher
"Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible."
M.C. Eicher
"Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas." -Marie Curie
"When something's important enough, you do it even if the odds are against you." -Elon Musk
The word art comes from artifice (workmanship). Art is always contrived. It is a beautiful product of innovation that requires skill and must make sense across cultures.
"If you hear a voice within you say that you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." -Vincent Van Gogh.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." -Albert Einstein
"Exploration is in our nature." -Carl Sagan
The old national gallery in Berlin has an impressive collection from different art movements: Romanticism, Impressionism, and Expressionism.
Romanticism(1780-1850) Characteristics:
1. Emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism.
2. Focus on nature, landscape, and sublime.
3. Interest in folklore, mythology, and history.
4. Dramatic lighting, rich colours, and atmospheric effects.
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