Hall of Mirrors (week # 9)

Link to picture: http://www.bugbog.com/european_cities/paris_travel_guide/paris_travel_versailles_in.html

In the late 1600’s many artists known still today were completing many creative art pieces. One of many great artists were designers Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin Mansart who created a remarkable Palace of Versailles including a hall known as the Hall of Mirrors, which was designed in an entry of a palace known as the Palace of Versailles. This hall, of all the rooms is the most famous and is nearly 240 feet long. It was a place for intricate occasions and many important events. As a matter of fact, the treaty in which ended World War II was signed here.

The Hall of Mirrors consists of mirrors, sculptures, paintings and great architecture of grand scale. There are gold sculptures on each side of the hall of people holding up light fixtures.  There are also magnificent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.  This painting is very moving. It makes our eyes concentrate on all the objects that are portrayed in this painting in which there is so much to look at.  The walls are built completely of marble and are lined with seventeen mirrors facing seventeen windows overlooking the outside gardens.  Each arc contains twenty-one mirrors, which adds up to 357 mirrors in all. For the floor, it is coated with remarkable oak wood. Famous painter Le Brun can take credit for most of the paintings for he painted the glorious arcs within the hall.

Still to this day, tours are scheduled throughout the palace to display the unbelievable creations people were able to obtain many decades ago. 

Michelangelo's David (Week 8-chpt. 16)

In 1501, Michelangelo sculptured a marbled piece of a boy about 13 or 14 named David. In this sculpture, the boy is standing straight up gazing off into the distance and is completely nude. David’s feet and hands are seemed to be larger than normal. He has left arm raised over his shoulder as if he were making decisions. His right arm is relaxed down by his side. For his legs, David’s right leg completely holds all of his weight while his left leg is relaxed. This artwork is very well balanced.  What makes the sculpture different is the proportion Michelangelo uses is that he makes the sculpture 17 feet tall.  The muscles are very defined and the hair is curly reaching ear length.

The purpose of this artwork was to represent the protection of social liberties and present heroic resistance. It shows David preceding the decision he had made to fight Goliath before the battle actually happened. It was a moment in between his choice and actually actions; however, some say it represents the moment after his victory.

I believe this artwork influenced perceptions because it represents the big person he was at the time and how because his enlarged hands and feet, shows that he wasn’t fully grown but at the time was in the shoes of an older male fighting battles.  Also, that he was using his brain while fighting with his hands and feet. This artwork was very well thought out and an outstanding image standing at the Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence.

King Tut ( Week #6-Chapter 14)

            Many years ago, 1300’s B.C.E. to be clearer, was a point in time when Egyptians would bury their most abundant art in tombs. King Tut’s mask was buried with him around 1323 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptians would bury their King’s with their finest furniture, clothing, chariots, jewelry and other precious artifacts. One piece that stands out significantly is King Tut’s mask, which was inlaid with valuable stones and blue glass. The purpose of this artwork’s was to send this ruler into eternity with great style used to continue life he had known on earth.

            The mask is crafted with gold-which in this time period was believed that it was more signified than mere wealth. As you can see towards the bottom of the mask, it is pieced together by precious stones of primary colors such as red and blue. The blues have different shades that compliment the red and gold. Lines are very bold on the facade, for there are thick blue lines proceeding horizontally and some vertically above the head. For texture, the rocky parts towards the shoulder area seem to have a little more texture for they are not as smooth as the blue and gold glass. The height of the mask is 21 ¼” which makes it a little more exaggerated and above the normal scale of humans now a days.

            I believe this art piece helped influence perceptions because it gives us a better understanding about beliefs and treasured items during the Egyptian period.