Essays on Artwork Summary

1. Leornardo Da Vinci, Mona Lisa

The famous “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most enigmatic portraits in the history of world art. The full title of the painting in Italian is “Ritratto di Monna Lisa del Giocondo” – Portrait of Mrs. Lisa Giocondo. In 1625 the picture got more simple name – “La Gioconda”. The picture was made on thin poplar board, which is now extremely fragile, that is why the work is stored behind a glass showcase with certain parameters of temperature and humidity. Leonardo carried a multi-layer painting with a stunning virtuosity and patience: after the preparation of wooden panels with several levels of coverage (even at that time there were many ways of priming the wood), he first drew the general composition, background, then applied thin layers (with oil of turpentine, that gave him the opportunity to work on the levels of transparent color). Leonardo used the so-called method “sfumato”, which is now known as “glazing”. (Mohen, 2006)

“Mona Lisa” was done in golden brown and reddish tones of the first plan and emerald-green color background. Like many of Leonardo’s work it has darkened with time, and its color ratio changed somewhat, but even now can be clearly seen the thoughtful comparison of tones of the face and clothing, and their total contrast to the bluish-green, “underwater” tone of the landscape. (Mohen, 2006)

It must be admitted that this work is considered one of the best works in the genre of portraiture, which has an amazing artistic depth. Critics emphasize the organic, from which the artist combined the characteristics of the individual portrait of a landscape full of unusual attitudes, and how much it has increased the dignity of the portrait.

2. Shiva Natajara, Lord of the Dance

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) is a worlds’ masterpiece, which belongs to the rich cultural heritage of India of Chola period (880-1279). This is a bronze figure, which is 68.3 cm height and 56.5 cm in diameter. This dancing figure with four arms depicts Shiva – one of the three supreme gods in Hinduism, which is the god of dance, known as Nataraja. Shiva is depicted in a graceful dancing pose, which has special meaning: his upper right hand holds a drum (damaru), the source of creation, and another right hand is raised in blessing (Abhaya Mudra), symbolizing the forces of preservation (sthiti-shakti); his upper left hand holds the flame, a symbol of destruction (Samhara-shakti), while lower left hand points to a raised left foot, symbolizing the grace of God and, thus, provides a path leading to the release of a mature soul. The cobra, which binds the waist of Nataraja, symbolizes the kundalini-shakti, the cosmic energy which awakens the soul. Flaming halo around the figure means “Great Time”, Space and Universal Consciousness. The facial expression of Lord Shiva says about the greatness and full harmony with the rhythm of the titanic dance. Shiva is the only god who has three eyes, and the third eye is visible on the forehead of bronze figure of Nataraja). Three eyes of the great god – the sun, moon and fire.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is dancing for the good of the whole world. His goal of dance – the liberation of souls from the shackles of maya threefold, anavy and karma.

3. Luohan, China, Pottery with three color glaze

(arts.cultural-china.com)

Three-color glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty period is a painted pottery, which appeared as the result of the development of art of making celadon. Its name ceramics got from the supremacy of 3 colors in the artwork – yellow, green and white, although some subjects are made of 2 or 4 colors. Three-color pottery is a sample of the peak of Chinese pottery which was widely known throughout the world. Most often products represent figures of horses, camels, women, musicians and acrobats, cups with lids in the shape of a dragon and a pillow. Three-color pottery was developed by borrowing achievements in traditional Chinese painting and sculpture, based on the technique of forming strips of clay figurines of imposing on the body and their engraving. Therefore, all the lines looked powerful and strong. Then the figure was covered with glaze, and during the firing process the paint was mixed, creating an effect of smooth mix of colors. (arts.cultural-china.com)

4. Leon Battista Alberti, Self-Portrait

This is a self-portrait of Leon Battista Alberti, made in 1435 on a bronze plate. Alberti here is depicted in the image of a Roman. To the left of his head there is a winged eye, which was the personal symbol of Alberti (this symbol refers to the Egyptian hieroglyphic tradition, where the eye symbolized the god). (Beard, 2001)

On the reverse side of the plate there is an inscription which reads: “Quid tum?” So what? (Latin). Now it is located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

5. Medici Venus

I century c.e. Marble, height 5ft

Medici Venus is a carved in life-size marble statue, made in the I century. The goddess of love is depicted in a fleeting pose of fright, when coming out of the sea water. At the feet of Venus is depicted a dolphin. There is a Greek inscription “CLEOMENES SON OF APOLLODORUS OF ATHENS” on its base. (Beard, 2001)

In 1677 this statue was purchased by Medici for their collection, since it is called Medici and is located in the Uffizi.