This has kind of turned into the stereotypical model of the form of George Washington portrait, and I’m not entirely sure how accurate it was to begin with. I mean, to be fair, I’m sure the likeness was at least somewhat correct, however, it seems like they’ve managed to suck all the life out of him.
Month: August 2019
Tuesday
This looks delicate, like a snowflake. I know, however, that it is not a snowflake, and rather, is made of stone and is rather heavy and would likely fall and, y’know, shatter one’s skull. But, man, it sure is pretty.
Monday
Once we come out of the so-called Dark Ages (or unenlightened times in Europe) and into the Medieval period, it all became about religious art and depictions of the natural world in many ways. Or religious art in natural materials. Either way, it was there to forward an agenda of pushing religion for those who could not read the word of God. Some of the art was beautiful (such as these pieces), and some of it was quite hideous.
Sunday
It’s difficult to reconcile the age of some of these objects in the mind. They can’t possibly be so old, and yet, they are. And with such intricacy come so many experiments over many years, decades, generations, even – so how even did they begin to perfect the art of casting such perfect designed work?
Saturday
Where does one draw the line between art and artifact? Is it when the materials are deemed semi-precious or rare? Is it when the object is rare or singular? Is it when said object is decorated or designed in such a way as to be aesthetically pleasing rather than just useful? In this case, I think the boxes ticked are material used (nephrite) and the type of axe (flat axe, which is more aesthetic and less useful than a curved axe in the Neolithic).
Friday
So, I just exercised my Google-fu, as I really didn’t know anything about Bi-discs, and now I know a lot more. Bi (or annulus – plural, annular) discs were neolithic ritual objects tied most closely to burials. Most were jade (aka, nephrite), but some were glass (depending on your status and how much you could afford to spend), and the amount of decoration and the ornateness of the decoration also corresponded to how much money had been spent on the object’s commission. Bi discs are thought to have to do with creation mythology and other god mythos, but seeing as how there isn’t a written record, we can’t tell for certain. And, there we go. That’s your knowledge dump for the day.
Thursday
This vase is simply designed but elegant, and as such, is unerringly beautiful. The variance of lines and shadow in the blue glaze is not easily achieved, and as such, should be marveled at.
Wednesday
When we talk Chinese pottery, I’m constantly in awe of their versatility in working the glazes. You would think that this color scheme would get muddied as it fired, but not so much. The detailing in the clay on the bird it delightful as well.
Tuesday
This statuette is tiny. Very, very wee. It is yet another case of ‘small but mighty’. For while it is tiny, it is absolutely gorgeous, delicate, and important.
Monday
Unlike yesterday’s Buddha, our Bodhissattva today is rather the worse for wear. However, it is still intricately carved and beautiful. The detailing of this carving is truly on par with, if not exceeds, the work of the greats of the Italian Renaissance.