Our sixth example of a successful Chazen essay, by Gethsemane Herron, concentrates on two painters’ responses to a cultural cliché.
The Effects of Society on Female Behavior: Part 1
The artwork I found that completely succeeded according to its own rules was Sleeping Country Girl by Giuseppe Angeli. A painting made sometime between 1745 and 1755, it was made with the standard materials of oil paint on canvas; its dimensions are the relatively small 4X2 feet. In this particular artwork, the subject is a young woman sleeping under a tree; a relatively uncommon subject matter in art. However, there is a twist in its portrayal of the young woman. Instead of being portrayed a delicately beautiful, the artist goes for realism in its portrayal of a mid afternoon nap; her clothes and hat are askew, her mouth hangs open and she leans on the tree that serves as her pillow It’s the best nap for this woman, because it’s so free from dignity; she looks happily uncouth. In an age when women were subject to a far harsher cultural code of society than women live by today, the artwork argues the joy of “letting it all hang it out” and forgetting one’s responsibilities by giving up concern for appearances.
The artwork’s organic logic that supports Angeli’s argument is the juxtaposition between the realism of the young woman and her belongings paired with the ambiguity of the background. The background, the life that she’s escaping through her nap is blurry; the foliage is merely green blots made with hurried brush strokes. He contrasts the blurry background with numerous details about her appearance; he captures the crease of her dress, the lines of her lips, etc.
The artwork succeeds according to its own rules by breaking them. By portraying the woman in a non-stereotyping light, the artist can accurately paint his critique on the place of women. His rules define the message of the work.
The Effects of Society on Female Behavior: Part 2
The second artwork that I feel does not succeed according to its own rules is Lucrezia Romana by Giapietrino, created using oil paint on wood and measuring 14 X 9 feet. Its date of creation is ambiguous; it is believed to be made ca. 1510-1525. Its argument, like Angeli’s, is based on societal expectations of women.
Giapietrino uses Lucrezia Romana as a testament to the glories of the Renaissance. The piece is based off of a historical female figure, Lucrezia Romana. According to the information panel next to the painting, the story of Romana was that she was a Patrician matron who was the unfortunate victim of rape; the piece portrays her subsequent suicide. During Giapietrino’s time (the Renaissance), women were symbols of glorified subservience; they married, had sons, were loyal to their husbands, and were symbols of purity and moral goodness. The Renaissance was different in each European country it took place in, and each place gave hints of the idiosyncrasies of that culture. Italy, for example, was well known for the influence of Catholicism on its culture. Lucrezia was the ideal woman of her time.
The artwork’s organic logic reveals the Renaissance’s influence on the work. True to that time period, Romana is depicted with many symbols of the female morality of the Renaissance; she is young, voluptuous, full and full of vitality- her curves depict her physical healthiness. The most dominant part of the artwork’s organic logic is the large crucifix adorning the woman’s neck; a huge symbol of Christianity. Though mostly nude, the artist emphasizes her chastity by covering her genitalia.
The artwork does not succeed according to its own rules because of its subject matter; suicide. In the heavily Christian-influenced Renaissance, a suicide would have been a mortal sin. Since this artwork seeks to glorify woman as they were in the Renaissance ideal, Romana falls from a lady of grace to a weak sinner. To spend so much time glorifying her virtues and then have her one vice be the center of the work makes no sense.
The two women portrayed in the artwork each are examples of society influencing one’s personal behavior. The first artwork goes against propriety, and shows the woman exactly how she is- imperfect, and content. The other is glorified by society only to be damned by bad luck. These works show the power of rebellion against society; by doing so, one can find peace or great sorrow.
Tags: 2009, Essay stuff, Examples, Final exam
