Mona Lisa 3

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665: What is the setting for the work and how does it contribute to the meaning?

The setting is a dark interior that suggests a domestic space or a barn. The only source of light comes from above, illuminating the father's face and upper body as well as part of the son's figure. The setting contributes to the meaning by creating a contrast between the darkness of sin and suffering and the light of grace and redemption.

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656: What is the setting for the work and how does it contribute to the meaning?

The setting is a room in the Royal Alcázar of Madrid, where Velázquez had his studio. The room is filled with paintings by various artists, including Velázquez himself, that adorn the walls and ceiling. The setting contributes to the meaning by creating a sense of depth and space that contrasts with the flatness of the canvas that Velázquez is painting. It also suggests a connection between art and reality, as well as between different levels of representation and interpretation.

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656:What is the subject? What are the main figures in this work? How would you describe their actions?

The subject is a group portrait of some members of the royal family and their entourage in a room of the Alcázar palace. The main figures are the five-year-old Infanta Margaret Theresa, the daughter of Philip IV and his second wife Mariana of Austria, who stands in the center surrounded by her maids of honor, her chaperone, her bodyguard, two dwarfs and a dog. Velázquez portrays himself at the left, working on a large canvas that occupies most of the wall. Behind him, a mirror reflects the images of Philip IV and Mariana, who appear to be standing outside the pictorial space where the viewer would be. At the back, a man opens a door that leads to another room or corridor, letting in some light that illuminates part of the scene.

• Vanitas Still-life

(oil on panel) -Pieter Claesz - 1630. Vanity. Shows that life has been taken.

Baroque

An artistic style of the seventeenth century characterized by complex forms, bold ornamentation, and contrasting elements

• King Louis XIV

French king known as the Sun King. Reigned from 1643 to 1715

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656: Where was it made?

It was made in Madrid, Spain.

Bernini, David, 1623

Italian Baroque

Rubens, Elevation of the Cross, 1610

Flemish Baroque

Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes, ca. 1614-1620: What is the medium?

It is an oil painting on canvas.

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656: What is the medium?

It is an oil painting on canvas.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665: What is the medium?

It is an oil painting on canvas.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665: Where was it made?

It was made in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Velázquez, Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656

Spanish Baroque

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656: What important contributions/innovations did the artist make with this work?

The artist made important contributions and innovations with this work by creating a complex and enigmatic composition that raises questions about reality and illusion, and the uncertain relationship between the viewer and the figures depicted. He also demonstrated his mastery of perspective, light, color, texture and detail to create a vivid impression of life at the Spanish court. He also included himself as a self-portrait in the painting, working on a large canvas that may reflect the scene we see or another one.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665: What important contributions/innovations did the artist make with this work?

The artist made important contributions and innovations with this work by depicting a profound and moving interpretation of the biblical parable of the prodigal son. He used his mastery of light and shadow, color and texture, gesture and expression to create a scene of forgiveness and reconciliation that transcends time and place. He also conveyed his own personal and spiritual experience through this painting, as it reflects his own struggles and hopes at the end of his life.

Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes, ca. 1614-1620: Who was the patron (if significant)?

The patron is not certain, but it may have been commissioned by Cosimo II de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665:Who was the patron (if significant)?

The patron is not known, but it may have been intended for Rembrandt's own collection or for a private client.

Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656:Who was the patron (if significant)?

The patron was King Philip IV of Spain, who appointed Velázquez as his court painter and chamberlain.

Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes, ca. 1614-1620: What is the setting for the work and how does it contribute to the meaning?

The setting is Holofernes's tent at night. The dark background contrasts with the bright light that illuminates Judith's face and upper body. The sheets on the bed are stained with blood that spills over to the foreground. The setting contributes to the meaning by creating a dramatic atmosphere that emphasizes Judith's courage and determination as well as Holofernes's vulnerability and defeat.

• The Scientific Revolution

A major change in European thought, starting in the mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs.

• Still-life

A type of painting that has as its subject inanimate objects.

• Classicism

Art or literature characterized by a realistic view of people and the world; sticks to traditional themes and structures.

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son, ca. 1665: What is the subject? What are the main figures in this work? How would you describe their actions?

The subject is based on a biblical parable from Luke 15:11-32, where a son asks his father for his inheritance and leaves home to squander it on sinful living. He returns home destitute and repentant, hoping for his father's mercy. His father welcomes him with compassion and joy, while his older brother resents him for his wastefulness. The main figures are the father and the son in the center of the composition, embracing each other. The father lays his hands on his son's shoulders, while the son kneels before him with his head bowed. The older brother stands at the right, looking away with a stern expression. Other figures include two men at the left who may be servants or observers, and a woman at top right who may be the mother or another relative.

Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith Slaying Holofernes, ca. 1614-1620: What is the subject? What are the main figures in this work? How would you describe their actions?

The subject is based on a biblical story from the Book of Judith, where Judith, a Jewish widow, beheads Holofernes, an Assyrian general who besieged her city. The main figures are Judith and her maidservant Abra on one side, and Holofernes on the other. Judith holds a sword in one hand and Holofernes's hair in another as she cuts through his neck. Abra helps her by holding down his arm. Holofernes struggles and bleeds profusely as he tries to resist.

• Allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

• Naturalism/Realism

centered on man instead of God; when the artist tried to make their subjects look realistic

Caravaggio, Conversion of Saint Paul, ca. 1601

clear instance of tenebrism to dramatize moments of conversion -theme of religiosity and sexuality portrays moment when roman legionary (saul, later to become Saint Paul), falls off horse and hears "saul why persecutest thou me?" Light is the visible manifestation of Christ's words, falls on Saul, to which he reaches into air in both a shock of recognition and gesture of embrace.

• Historiated Landscape

decorated with animals and flowers

• Tenebrism

dramatic use of intense darkness and light to heighten the impact of a painting