France in the Golden Age...at the Timkin Museum of Art

Visit the Timkin Museum of Art to see work on loan that depicts France in the Golden Age. The Timkin Museum's Exhibit. The Object Speaks, has been created as a result of the loan of Nicolas Poussin’s The Holy Family Returning to Nazareth from the Cleveland Museum of Art. Poussin’s painting has been generously sent to San Diego in exchange for the Timken’s Rembrandt, Saint Bartholomew, which is part of the major exhibition Rembrandt in America on view in Cleveland until May 28, 2012.

The Timken has arranged for the painting to be shown alongside four paintings by Poussin's contemporaries. Take the time to visit the museum to see this great exhibit.

The Museum Website has details about two special events in connection with the exhibit. One is on March 14th at 12:30 and the other March 29th at 12:30.

Baroque Art and Bernini

The BAROQUE ERA is a complex era. In 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis which started Protestantism. Luther's complaints with the church included a frustration over indulgences as well as "the lay person was no longer playing an active role in the Church and was increasingly removed from understanding the Scriptures because of increasing mystery and ritual. [He] advocated hymns as a better way to communicate hard-to-understand mysteries of the Church and made music an integral part of Protestant Church services".

The Catholic Church campaigned to gain back followers. The division in faiths was evident in the visual arts. Protestant churches were austere while images that prompted Catholicism stressed the sacrifices people made for their faith. Intense devotion was depicted.

Baroque art was a great way to communicate some aspects of the faith to those who strayed form the path. Sculptures were theatrical, contained sexual innuendo, and violence. Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Teresa is one such sculpture. The Baroque era work by the master Bernini glorifies the church. (Watch The Power of Art Bernini).

Upcoming Assignments

Remember Scholastic Turnitin.com Discussions are due by 3-14-12. Return Scholastic Magazines in class by Thursday 3-15-12.

Chapter 24 Test/MC due on Friday 3-16-12.

What to consider when studying for the test:
1. Versailles and how it is depicted in the BOOK as well as Engineering an Empire video (one idea to consider is how it is said to "control nature"
2. The ART of the Counter Reformation
3. GMC Memory Device...G...M...C...
4. Vermeer's contribution to art

Beyond the European Tradition...work in the library the week of 3-19-12. Due 3-26-12. Museum Catalog due 4-2-12.

Smithsonian Magazine Article...The Cave Art Debate

The March 2012 MAgazine has an interesting article about recent discoveries of cave art. A female figure carved out of ivory was found at Hohle Fels and,thus, named the "Venus of Hohle Fels". This portable object does not add any conclusive evidence to the age old question of WHY humans created art in prehistoric times. This image may have been the representation of an actual person, may have been a devotional image, and may have been created to represent emotions or abstract concepts.

Like the Venus of Willendorf, this figurine depicts a well-fed human with exaggerated reproductive organs. The importance of being well-fed was not taken for granted. This was a key to survival! Emphasizing reproductive organs reminds people of today that ancient cultures placed a high importance on continuing the species/human community.

Read the article to find out more!

What's Next?

Friday is the test on Chapter 22 ... Museum Catalog is due as well...
Multiple choice (30 ish) and 1 essay ... bring PEN and PENCIL to class

After the test:
You will be given TWO Scholastic Art Magazines...Perspective and Rembrandt. Read them and respond to the discussion board post on www.turnitin.com

Previously Posted assignments...reminder:
Active Discussion Board Posts (2 additional besides the Scholastic I mentioned above)

March 3rd Chapter 24 Discussion Questions turned in on turnitin.com

Monday 3-5-12 Read Chapter 24 and complete WKBK pages:
Page 61 "List three adjectives..."
62 #4,5,6
63 #8, 9, 10
64 #15, 17
65 #21, 22


Tuesday 3-6-12 complete Chapter 24 Discussion Questions on turnitin.com

Page 67 #1, 4

Friday 3-9-12 Test/MC Chapter 23
Friday 3-16-12 Test/MC Chapter 24

Museum Catalogs linked to CH 23 and Ch 24 page on class website

Week of 3-19-12 work in Library on Non Western Projects.
Present Week of 3-26-12...everyone MUST be ready on DAY 1 ... you never know who will go first!