Asher p4t3 Modern Era Synthesis

Although Rembrandt and Picasso were both masters of the canvas, their depictions and perspectives were different, as shown through their masterpieces. Rembrandt used magnificent colors and brilliant lighting in his portraits giving them a clear scene.

For example, in Rembrandt’s paintings such as The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, much emotion is expressed in the faces of the people and the setting of the painting which creates a solemnly austere mood. In contrast, Picasso used an innovative style of artwork known as cubism which was overwhelmingly abstract. In paintings such as the renowned Guernica, shapes and cubes are scattered and colors are minimal as deep sorrow is expressed. However, symbolism takes over as the viewer draws conclusions in a similar manner as in impressionism. Just like these two contrasting paintings, the Modern Era was a time of opposition as clashes in ideals were prevalent. One parallel is the conflict between science and religion as this era gave rise to many great thinkers and individuals such as Albert Einstein and Pope Pius XII. The parallel that can be drawn is that Rembrandt’s style represents science and Picasso’s style represents religion. Like Rembrandt’s artwork which is clear and vivid, science is rich with information that can be proven in a perceivable manner. Picasso’s artwork is similar to religion in that one looks deeper within themselves to find purpose and realization. Despite all the controversy, some individuals were able to find balance. For example, Pope Pius XII stated that the scientific belief of evolution pertained to the body whereas the religious beliefs of the bible pertained to the soul.

Asher.p4.t9 Modern Era Synthesis Question

If one were to observe Rembrandt (born and died around the 1600’s) painstakingly detailed art style and compare it to Picasso’s (born in 1881 and died 1973) abstract, sometimes confusing form, one would see that there is a clear distinction between their styles, suggesting that there is a clear distinction in the eras in which they lived. Rembrandt’s style is consistent; its form follows an attention to detail and close adherence to realism that can be found in most of his art. Picasso, on the other hand, switches styles before and during the era as seen in the difference between his Boy with a Pipe, Guernica, and his newfound interest in sculpting. It reflects the social instability of the Modern era, which spans an antebellum period to a post-war period, in which the changing attitudes of the people fostered a change in art style and in themes, reflecting bigger social dynamics at work. Also, during this era, a lot of Picasso’s abstract work tended to focus on the war, depicting surreal scenes of violence and massacre as in Guernica and Massacre in Korea. The theme of these works show social unrest stemming from all the political instability of the Modern Era; consecutive wars and a long period of depression have left the people longing for peace and stability. His choice in abstract art is so because he chooses to let his audience decipher the symbols in his art, suggesting that people are beginning to appreciate the more ambiguous parts of the humanities and deciding for themselves what the symbols mean.

Ash.p4.t7 Edwardian Synthesis

The art of Picasso and Rembrandt are undeniably dissimilar, and the drastic change in style definitely articulates the transformation that was evident in the modern period. Rembrandt was known for his art of portraiture. He depicted people in real life circumstances, and at times, himself. Picasso was popular in the modern era; he developed and launched the artistic movement called cubism and painted unreal and abnormal art. The purpose of the work of Picasso was mainly to demonstrate injustice, anguish, and distress. This abnormal style of work attracted the audience, while focusing the attention on the pain and misery. The work he is most recognized for is the Guernica, which exhibits the abomination of the Spanish Civil War and depicted the ridiculous politics during the time period that motivated these horrid acts among innocent bystanders. Even other popular figures during the Edwardian period referred to art to highlight social statements. Hitler used propaganda through artwork to justify his atrocious mindset. In the Modern period, social statements about politics are apparent throughout Picasso’s artwork. Nations were at brink of war, the spirit of the atmosphere was filled with anxiety and worry. The work of Picasso showcased the fear instilled in the people at this time. Artwork was not only used to depict a picture; it focused attention on the zeitgeist of the time period, as well as social statements and politics.

Tim Szu, Devin Mitchell, Jason Sim

Modern Era Synthesis

During the modern era, there lies a major shift in style from the previous era. This era hones the qualities of upheaval and disheveled nature that was happened during the modern era. One of the artist that displays the differing nature from the previous, Edwardian Era. One of the greater artists that were recognized during this time period would be Picasso, a painter born in 1881, of Spanish decent, who created most his own best creations during the modern era. A large successful portion of his works, were based on a new upcoming style of the cubist movement which created many uniquely different works. Most of the works of art meant to portray sadness, pain, and the evil in the work; which was brought forth by his very successful works of art. Another famous artist was Rembranft, born in 1606, with a Dutch descent would create works of art that displayed how real life and their displays of everyday life. Both artists used their own pieces of art to portray and convey different sense to those that divulge in their art, by examining the lifelike representations of occurrences that are depicted the way they would have in history.

The qualities of the modern era could be definitely seen in the paintings. This era was the finishing of WW2, the second war to end all wars, leaving many countries in need of rebuilding and many places of nature ravaged by military explosives and more. The works of arts lived through time and history to displays to us the devastation of the time period, and the social depiction of the feelings the people had during this era.

Team 6

Kevin Cheung, Raymond Yonami, Alex Park, Bryce Cheng

Asher2012.p2.t3 Modern Era Synthesis

The works of Rembrandt and Picasso could not be more different, and this major shift in style can be used to express the upheaval that occurred during the modern era. The Works of Rembrandt, a Dutch painter born in 1606, are largely confined to the work of portraiture; he would convey real world people and often himself as they appeared. Picasso, a Spanish painter born in 1881 and who did most of his work during the modern era, was a pioneer in the cubist movement and produced many surreal and often times unusual works. Picasso’s great works were often meant to highlight injustice, sorrow, and pain; his unusual style would bring the attention of the viewer to the scenes of pain and misery that were produced by injustice during his day. His most famous work, Guernica, a painting about the Spanish civil war highlighted the atrocities committed by the Nazis in Spain, and what the extreme politics of the era drove people to do against innocent civilians. Another one of his famous works, Massacre in Korea, a product of the Korean War during this era, portrays U.S. soldiers massacring communist sympathizers in Korea, all in the cubist style.
The Modern era, or at least the charged and impassioned politics of the times can be viewed in the extremes of Picasso’s paintings. The world had just experienced the bloodiest war ever, and two of the most powerful nations the world had ever seen were on the brink of destroying each other with nuclear weapons; Picasso’s unusual style was able to help highlight the truly unusual amount of fear, anger, and hatred that arose during this time. In contrast to the cerebral scenes depicted in Rembrandt’s works, Picassos works displayed the tragedies of the era. His works provide us with insight into the extremes of the day, and a social insight into the feelings of anger and fear that were spreading around the world because of extreme politics.

August Mawn, Daniel Pon, Zach Gershman, Tom Allen

Edwardian Era

During the Edwardian era, also known as La Belle Epoque, which means the beautiful epoch, was a time of disagreeable factors such as pessimism. However, the era also had some agreeable characteristics such as optimism, beauty and hopefulness. Some of the negative aspects for this era came partly from the fact that Britain was such a strong and influential country.
The main, undeniable reason for the idea of pro-violence was for protection of the British colonies against other “anti-Britain” countries. Alliances between multiple countries create instability and uneasiness for everyone. Not only did this violence morality come come from wanting be safe and protected, but it was also a result of the wealthy society of Britain and its colonies’ love for their country. Patriotism can be thought of as pride to one’s own nation which thus, can empower negativities such as violence and all the reactions that lead to it. Violence as retribution is immoral when one thrives on hatred or evil intentions rather than peaceful and positive results. It starts to get out of hand when violence is the answer for just about everything one does. War does not seem to further benefit or disprove the fact that violence is immoral. War is usually a long-term and massive battle amongst two opposing sides for a certain goal whether it be reasonable or unreasonable.

Edwardian Synthesis

In the late 1930’s, propaganda was used by Hitler in his war campaign. A poster made by Hans Schweitzer effectively justifies the German’s justification of violences as righteous retribution. The caption translates to “The Jew: The inciter of war, the prolonger of war.” Depicted is a large face of a presumably Jewish person, characterized to look evil. His eyebrows are furrowed and each facial feature is exaggerated. He looks over the German congregation with a sneer. The poster appeals to the common German citizen. They are on the ground with fists pumped in unison, as to agree to fight in a war. Hitler uses this type of artwork to persuade the German citizens that the mass extermination of the Jewish population was acceptable. To back this idea, Hitler used scientific studies, such as the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin. Eugenics promoted the “survival of the fittest” concept and encouraged that the procreation of “inferior” people would benefit society. This example of art was used by Hitler to justify the violence he supported during the Edwardian time period. Violence here is immoral, not amoral. Hitler deliberately violated moral rules, rather than being amoral, which is when one has no morals. From the German citizen standpoint, the propaganda and intentions conveyed by Hitler was probably not immoral, but rather for the benefit of the country. This piece of art, and the many other propaganda posters of this time period, successfully justified violence righteous retribution during the Edwardian era in Germany.

P2 Team 5

Kaylee Anderson, Ben Hillman, Ben Lee, Kimberlin Low