Chapter 10: Power politics and Glory

Peace Monuments and Peace Offerings

The Ara Pacis Augustae - built to commemorate Emperor Augustus stopping the civil wars between Spain and France.

The Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus built by Domitian, to record his brother Titus's apotheosis. Engaged columns have Ionic and Corinthian elements Roman synthesis of Greek orders. The attic is the uppermost section with the inscription Winged victories in the spandrels symbolize Titus's military successes. -Under the vault, one relief depicts Titus being carried up to heaven on the back of an eagle, a visual image of his deification. This structure both illustrates and commemorates Titus's victories and his apotheosis (becoming a god).

B. Brady

-The first to photograph war, Brady made 3,500 photographs covering both sides of the U.S. Civil War. Brady often arranged props, such as the rifles, to enhance both the composition and the sense of tragedy.

Symbolism:The Palette of King Narmer

-horizontal fish above a vertical chisel, pictographs for Narmer -2 images of Hathor, the cow goddess, the king's protector -he is larger because of his status -right, Narmer, wears the tall white crown of Upper Egypt -Curved crown is in reference to lower Egypt -Bulls represent a pharoes and divinity

Palenque

-was the center of one of several successive empires in Central America. -provided living quarters for the Mayan royalty, a center for religious rites, facilities for astronomical studies, and an administrative precinct -Several thrones were found within the galleries. The 72 ft. tower added important verticality to the horizontal design. Large tower windows facing the four cardinal points may have had both astronomical and defensive uses.

Moctezuma's Headdress

Art and gifts are often exchanged to seal peace treaties. Precious objects may show submission or given to avoid further confrontation. Moctezuma's Headdress was given to Cortés as a peace offering or a last measure to avoid Moctezuma's demise.

War Scenes

Art can present war as a memorable, glorious, action-filled. Art can document battles and art can emphasize the horrors of war. -

THE GLORY OF THE RULER

Artistic devices are used to glorify a ruler's image: idealized image - face and/or body depicted without flaw with youthful vigor, a wise or dignified demeanor symbols - indicate omnipotence, authority, divine blessing, military or religious power compositional devices - occupies the center, shown larger other figures, clothing may attract attention

Nineteenth-Century Battle Scenes

Before the camera artists had license to exaggerate or even fantasize about the battles and warriors. -Along with romanticized photographs of war heroes came horrific battlefield scenes, such as Dead Confederate Soldier with Gun by Mathew B. Brady

The palace of Versailles

Built by Louis XIV, the palace of Versailles was a sign of power and an instrument for maintaining that power. The Hall of Mirrors is 240 ft. long, ceilings covered with frescoes, embellished with bronze capitals, sparkling candelabra, and jeweled trees Louis XIV moved his entire court from Paris to Versailles in order to control them. Louis XIV dominated the church, nobility, and peasants, and controlled the arts, fashion, and manners.

The Ara Pacis Augustae

Carved foliage, fruit garlands symbolize: the golden age of plenty fecundity ripeness peace (all under the rule of Augustus) Ara Pacis celebrates the peace of the Roman Empire, and a monument that glorifies Augustus.

The Gothic Revival style

Charles Barry, the architect, used the Gothic Revival style. A. W. N. Pugin was responsible for ornamentation. Both felt Gothic Revival was appropriate for a Christian nation. The building resembles a medieval church or a castle, visually housing Parliament in a metaphor of the church with the strength and power of the government.

colossal Tula Warrior Columns

In the Toltec city of Tula in central Mexico, colossal Tula Warrior Columns stand on a temple platform atop a pyramid. The 16 to 20 ft. tall figures held up the temple roof; symbolically they supported the religion.

Emperor Justinian and His Attendants

Emperor Justinian and His Attendants - Justinian dominates, just as he dominated the Byzantine Empire: he occupies the center between clergy and military and state leaders as emperor - wears a purple cloak and a jeweled crown as priest - carries golden bowl with bread solar disk behind his head indicates divine status -flanked by 12 figures, alluding to Christ and the apostles the clergy hold sacred objects: a crucifix, the Gospels, an incense burner a soldier's shield displays the Chi-Rho, an ancient symbol of Christ.

Mesquakie people

For the Mesquakie people, grizzly bear claws were signs of high status. The grizzly's nails were difficult to acquire and considered a great trophy. The Mesquakie Bear Claw Necklace represented: strength tenacity (of the bear) dignity (of the owner)

Eisenstein

He used a rapid form of montage that allowed the viewers to piece together the narrative from fleeting images. Quick-cut images capture the feeling of terror, panic, and chaos.

The Peaceable Kingdom: Edward Hicks

Hicks' visual metaphors are standard for the concept of peace: luminous sky lush vegetation animals rendered in imaginative style feeling of innocence and peace

Triumph of the Will

In 1934, Adolf Hitler commissioned the film Triumph of the Will to glorify: his rule his military strength the Nazi order of Aryan supremacy Riefenstahl's film established Hitler as the first media hero of the modern age. Riefenstahl's film affected future political campaigns and lay the foundation for consumer advertising.

Eddie Adams

Magazine and newspaper coverage brought the realities of the war into U.S. homes, as seen in this war photograph taken in 1968 by Eddie Adams. This brutal and blunt photo showed a reality of the Vietnam War in U.S. publications. Its harshness contrasts severely with romanticized images of war.

Monument

Monuments are often large, with architectural elements, sculpture, and inscriptions. Many monuments commemorate past events, civic leaders, and military heroes. Roman triumphal arches commemorate military victories or major building projects.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Names of 58,000 who died, in chronological order polished granite reflects faces of the living-superimposes them on the names, forcing a personal connection family, friends make rubbings of the names, leave remembrances visitors meditate or mourn rather than celebrate. .

The Presentation Pipe Tomahawk

Native Americans created tomahawks and pipes to use for peaceful exchange. The Presentation Pipe Tomahawk weapon was superbly crafted and was meant to be presented as a ritual peace offering.

Maori Meeting House

New architecture evolved on New Zealand in response to political and social needs. In the19th C., the Maori nation changed radically as a result of European colonization. The Maori Meeting House, represents the body of a powerful ancestor, and, once inside, the living became one with their ancestor. This important structure was an elaborate version of the chief's house and a site for reaffirming tribal values and clan ties.

Palaces

Official residences of kings, emperors, and religious leaders, they visually represent the state's power.

THE POWER OF THE STATE

Palaces, government buildings, and monuments make the state and ruler seem powerful.

Objects of Royalty and Prestige

Royal persons have been exalted with thrones, garments, jewelry, or objects of power. Hawaiian royal objects were made of materials taboo to others in society. Hawaiians considered feathers sacred and connected with the gods, only royalty could own or wear them. Colors have symbolic value: red = royalty yellow = a prosperous future

Divine Rulers, Royalty, and Secular Religious Leaders

Rulers have often considered themselves royalty, religious leaders, or divine. Menkaure and His Wife, Queen Khamerernebty: side by side, united by the queen's embrace they display the Egyptian ideal of beauty and maturity Khamerernebty is as large as Menkaure pharaonic succession wastraced through the female line Compact pose makes the sculpture more permanent, befitting the divine descendants of the Sun God, Re.

Seats of Government

Social and political pressures help determine which styles of architecture are used in government buildings. In 1836, the old Houses of Parliament burned. A new design was sought that would reinforce England's desire to create a national identity.

The Great Wall

Strategically placed watchtowers contained embrasures for cannons and were used as signal stations---smoke by day, fires by night. The brick-faced wall averages 25 ft. in height and width, and it creates a light-colored, undulating line for 1,500 miles. This enduring war fortification is considered a "wonder of the world.

Palace at Ikere

The Palace at Ikere, provides another example of artwork that symbolizes kingly power. The Palace Sculpture shows the queen, standing behind the enthroned king. Women are revered for their procreative power, the female towers over the king, she is the source of his power. -The senior wife stands behind the enthroned king, giving her high status for her procreative power. His crown is topped by a bird symbol for female: reproductive power ancestors deities

Art About Peace

The Peaceable Kingdom is based on a biblical passage. Edward Hicks was also inspired by William Penn and his treaty with the Indians, (visible in the background). This moment came to signify a utopian new world.

Persepolis

The Royal Audience Hall was 200 ft. square and 60 ft. high and held up to 10,000 people. 100 tall columns supported a wood-beam ceiling On top were elaborate capitals with curving scrolls and foreparts of bulls or lions. Some had human heads. A grand staircase, was covered with images depicting subjects presenting tribute to the king.

War Memorials

The USA Marine Corps War Memorial commemorates 6,800 U.S. soldiers who died in the battle for Iwo Jima Island in World War II. The sculpture is a copy of a photograph that captured the flag raising after the Marines charged up Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi.

Assyrians

The brutal and ruthless Assyrians, dominated the Near East for more than 300 years.

Vietnam Veteran Memorial (Cont)

The long, V-shaped memorial is set with one end pointing to the Washington Monument, symbol of national unity, the other pointing to the Lincoln Memorial, remembering a nation divided by civil war. This reflects the national anguish over soldiers who died in a war which the general population was ambivalent. A reverent and quiet space, the shrine wall contains the names of 58,000 men and women who died in the Vietnam War. The lack of glory made the Memorial very controversial.

The palace of Persepolis

The palace of Persepolis, in ancient Persia, is a fortified citadel located on a terraced platform. Interior spaces were large, wide hypostyle halls, carved columns supported the roofs. The windows were made of solid blocks of stone with cutout openings. Stairs were also chiseled from stone blocks and then fitted into place.

last and most powerful King

The portrait of the last and most powerful King of the Angkor Empire and the Khmer people displays his contemplative mysticism after his conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism. His turned-down eyes and gentle smile became known in Khmer art.

The sculptures on Maori meeting house

The sculptures on Maori meeting houses are visually overwhelming These carvings, with swirls, lines, and frightening imagery empower clan members, intimidate outsiders. The carvings represent mythical first parents and the tribe's history.

Tula Warriors

The warriors wear Toltec garb, elaborate headdresses, each hold pear-throwers at their side. The warriors' attire functions to increase their power and prestige. The warriors uniformity gives the impression of a formidable army that could crush anything.

Portrait of an early African ruler expresses

This delicately detailed portrait of an early African ruler expresses a sense of calm, security, and poise. In west-central Africa, the head alone carries the qualities of a ruler.

Power politics and Glory

Throughout human history, a vast amount of artwork has promoted, popularized, or propagandized governments as well as those who lead them. Art has depicted war and helped shape our reaction to it. Art has also celebrated peace.

Contemporary Political Leaders

Today, almost no rulers consider themselves to be divine, and many are not royalty. Pictures of contemporary rulers come to us as newspaper or television images. There is a great difference between images that are produced under the ruler's direction and those over which the ruler has little or no control.

WAR

WAR is part of the history of most civilizations and is part of the story of power, politics, and glory.

Twentieth-Century Images of War

War is still glorified in 20th C. art, but more images present the horrific side. After the Russian Revolution,1917 Vladimir Lenin saw the advantages of film. Sergei M. Eisenstein was commissioned to glorify the heroism and martyrdom of the Soviet people in his film, The Battleship Potemkin, 1925.

Warriors, Weapons, and Fortifications

Warrior images can be found in almost every culture. Fierceness is shown by: large size of warriors emphasis on armor, weapons, or regalia of power menacing or aloof facial expressions

Glorifying War The Palette of King Narmer

Was used for mixing black eye makeup. The carving records the unification of Egypt, when Narmer, king of Upper Egypt, was victorious over Lower Egypt.

PEACE

Winged allegorical figures, doves, women, and pastoral landscapes have symbolized peace in Western art. Gardens, bells, and temples serve as monuments to peace in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Plaque with Warrior and Attendants

depicts a Nigerian warrior king. The king: is larger than attendants -displays classic African figurative proportion -wears apron and shield with leopard imagery a regal symbol -dominates the composition with spear, helmet, and shield* -presents a frontal, symmetrical composition, conveys absolute authority, power, strength displays an aloof face *Often, armor and weapons

Guernica

dramatized the 1937 destruction of the Basque capital during the Spanish Civil War. German Nazi planes bombed the city, which burned for 3 days and left more than 1,000 people dead. Horrified, Picasso immediately made sketches for the painting, blending aspects of Surrealism with Cubism -

Eisenstein cinematic devices:

full views extreme close-ups panned shots iris (blurred edges) traveling camera flashback crosscutting Eisenstein's strength was his editing.

Palaces have the following qualities (Hall of Mirrors)

grand size lavish ornamentation height prominent artwork (adds symbolic content)

Lamassu sculptures

guarded the palace gate, to terrify and intimidate all who entered.

attributes that convey an exalted qualityMany royal portraits from various cultures use similar

idealized face/body symbolic details centralized composition dignified demeanor

Color Purple

is a color of royalty

Burning of the Sanjo Palace

is a scene from The Heiji Monogatari which is an illustrated scroll nearly 23 feet long, telling the tale of two feuding clans in the twelfth century. -Strong visual contrasts heighten the sense of chaos. Jumbled shapes differ from the clean lines of the palace roof. Groups are juxtaposed with single figures to build and then diffuse dramatic moments

Weldon's bronze sculpture

is larger than life is grand is dramatic depicts soldiers forming a triangle, indicating strength-solidity has numerous diagonals suggesting haste The past blends with the present, as every day, a real flag is raised and lowered on the memorial.

The winged Lamassu

is part lion or bull, with the head of a human being. -The horned crown symbolizes the king's divine power.

Equestrian Monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni

joins the horse's power with the rider's strength and determination. The 15 ft. statue is raised on a high pedestal, viewers are vulnerably placed under the horse's raised hoof. The animal's tense, bulging muscles, Colleoni's twisted pose, and scowling face are the embodiment of aggression. He was a condottiere, or mercenary soldier.

Jayavarman VII

last king of the Angkor Empire He conquered invaders, fought rival states, known for building projects, including the Temple of Bayon at Angkor Wat. In this portrait, Jayavarman VII chose to be represented as a mystic. His face is softly modeled with eyes down turned in meditation, and his gentle smile became famous in Khmer art.

Crowned Head of an Oni represents a ruler

naturalistic style sense of calm and serenity beautiful flowing features crown, a royal insignia lines on the face indicate scarification a beaded veil neck rings similar to those worn by the Yoruba

Battle of Little Big Horn

painted by the Sioux artist Red Horse, presents the Native American version of Custer's last stand. Sioux warriors advance from the right. Custer was defeated, the dead and wounded from both sides occupy the bottom of the image. Red Horse stacked figures above each other to show the chaos and detail of battle.

Chinese royal architecture ( Imperial Throne Room)

supported the emperor's claim to be the Son of Heaven, father of the people, and the one who maintained Heaven on Earth. The palace had 9,999 rooms and no commoners were allowed. The high ceiling is covered with elaborate patterns. The focus is the throne, framed by columns and elevated on a stepped platform.

Guernica Symbolism : Pablo Picasso

the bull represents Fascist Spain, doomed to be tortured and suffer a slow, inevitable death the gored, dying horse is the Spanish Republic the fallen soldier holding the broken sword represents the spirit of resistance -other heads represent shocked witnesses to the carnage the electric light bulb shaped like an eye suggests that the world is being shown its inhumanity. Picasso said, "Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy."