Modern Era Synthesis T2P2

The Modern Era was characterized by the public reverting to the traditional beliefs dealing with religion, family and self-consciousness. The ideals became slightly more refined so did some of the art, but some of it did not. Two great artists of this time had completely opposite styles. Picasso illustrated that with his cubism and Rembrandt showed this with his psychological portraits. Both of these artists were brilliant, and both of them made different social statements in their work. Picasso was a painter that wanted to make the general public more aware of what surrounded them, especially the war. World War II was raging when Picasso was at his painting prime. Art pieces that he did during this period interpreted the war in some way. Take Guernica, this is a beautiful painting but the event it is describing is a horrific time in our history. While Picasso brought to light the anguish and distress of the Modern Era, Rembrandt illustrated the tame and refined nature of the era. He did this through amazing portraits of people and nature. Because of what he was illustrating his surroundings he made his paintings more polished then Picassos’ were. Rembrandts’ The Storm on the Sea of Galilee showed specifically peoples’ emotions, which do not show up as much in Picassos’ paintings. Both of these artists were attempting to make statements and they both did. Picassos’ message drew his audiences attention to the nightmare of war and sadness and Rembrandt showed his supporters the tendency of the era to be reflective and polished.