GEE3 – Reading in Visual Arts

Reading No. 2 - The History of the Artist

Second Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022

Directions: After reading the given reference, answer the following questions.

1. Based on the reading, how different were the perspectives toward the artists during the
Ancient, Classical, and Medieval times, and at the beginning of the 16th century? And in
relation to our discussion, how did the Renaissance help in this drastic change of
perspective?

Throughout the Ancient, Classical, and Medieval eras, artists were essentially trained
craftsmen who worked for an employer such as a monarch, the Church, or a business
enterprise. Their activities were supported and regulated by a professional body or
guild. According to Leonardo da Vinci, at the beginning of the sixteenth century,
artists should be recognized as social and intellectual equals to aristocrats. The
greatest painters of the twentieth century, as well as academics. The High
Renaissance agreed with this. As evidenced by the grand flowering of their work,
they were successful in establishing this role. It was convenient for both the artist
and the patron, and it lasted until the end of the nineteenth century. It gave artists the
opportunity to play the most important role in society, becoming confidantes to kings
and popes, and even acting in the capacity of a pope. There are two types of people:
diplomats and courtiers.

2. According to the reading, how did the French Revolution attract new personalities? And
what were the outcomes of this new attraction?

The French Revolution, which occurred in 1789, introduced a period of great

political and social change in society. The realm of privilege, monarchy, and
aristocracy began to fall out of favor, and there was a fresh sense of self-identity in
the air. Art also drew in newcomers, people who might have previously shunned a
creative life. The Romantic spirit abused this freedom to express one's own feelings
and create art based on one's own personal experiences. The classical heritage, with
its symphony of symphonies, a fondness for antiquities, and a structured professional
education, continued to grow alongside romanticism, which was popular at the time
but in decline.
3. Referring to the reading, what happened during the most recent turning point of the roles
of the artist during the 1960s? What were the notable changes that occurred in the roles of
the artists?
In the middle of the nineteenth century, this sense of freedom marked the beginning
of a new period for the artist. The radical French painter Gustave Courbet epitomized
the shift, believing that the true artist should be an outsider to the rest of society, free
of all social conventions and free to make his or her own laws. The concept was
appealing, particularly to upset youth, for whom the artist's goal was not universal
acclaim, professional development, wealth, or social success, but rather a desire to
change society and human relationships and thus transform the way we see the
world.
4. Based from the reading, what are the important roles that the patrons, collectors, and
dealers play in the field of art? Give specific examples.
A patron is someone who contributes the funds needed for an artist to create a piece
from scratch. In the early Renaissance, the sponsorship of one of the noble courts or
the Church was the necessary framework within which an artist had to operate, and
the impact of a creative and innovative patron was enormous. Collecting art without
the help of a patron is a different story. It necessitates the purchase of both historical
and modern art. Cosimo I de' Medici (1519-74) would be an excellent choice for a
godfather figure. Cosimo collected art for both pleasure and to bolster commercial
and political power. Thus, collecting is a component of the individual personality
concept that pervades much Western art and thought. Cosimo was also influenced by
his passion for artifacts. He discovered that the Romans were passionate collectors
who bought and sold works of art at auction in order to emulate Classical Greece and
Rome's ambitions.

5. What is the importance of the “spaces” in the works of art? How do they influence the role
and purpose of the art for a certain era or period? Cite examples.

Painters suggest space, photographers capture it, sculptors rely on space and form,
and architects create it. It is an essential component of all visual arts. Space provides
a frame of reference for the viewer when interpreting an artwork. Painters suggest
space, photographers capture it, sculptors rely on space and form, and architects
create it. It is an essential component of all visual arts. Space provides a frame of
reference for the viewer when interpreting an artwork. Art has an impact on society
by changing people's attitudes, instilling values, and translating experiences across
space and time. According to studies, art has an impact on one's fundamental sense
of self.

6. Based on the reading, how do we describe a good art criticism?

Good art criticism emphasizes value judgments over facts and history. It investigates
and probes the motivations and goals of an artist. and technical ability, which
determines whether the finished product meets the artist's objectives. In a historic
display of art, such as an exhibition, a critic should also evaluate the legitimacy of
the curator's interpretation. To determine the genuine worth of what is being
promoted in modern art, the critic must cut through the lavish verbiage that
organizers and dealers sometimes pour on it.