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| Self Portrait in Fur Coat (1500) Albrecht Durer |
1. Identify aspects of Durer's self-portrait that show a changing view of the artist's view of himself as an individual.
When l view this self-portrait I see that Durer has painted himself as a man of importance. With a look of knowledge and self-worth etched on Durer’s face he has successfully portrayed himself to me as an individual and captured the essence of the role he set out to create as an artist.
This type of painting is very innovative for it’s era because very few artists of the renaissance period were known to paint self-portraits. According to Bailey, Durer was the first known artist to have painted a self-portrait. I believe this revolution of Durer’s has helped pave they way for Artist’s today to become individuals.
I think that this self-portrait depicts the cultural rebirth of the renaissance period and the changing view of the artist as an individual.
2. Explain how the artist's social status increased during the Renaissance period. Briefly explain why this happened.
“The renaissance period was the start of a great debate over the social position of the artist”, (Blunt, 1962).
As Artist’s Life explains, an artist was originally considered a tradesman, and their art served normally for religious purposes. Through the start of painting with artistic principals including proportion, realistic expression and rational postures the artist created greater depth and started claiming that their profession required intellectual ability and knowledge. “This permitted the claim that they were superior to mere craftsmen, and that painting and sculpture should be considered as liberal arts,” (Witcombe). This bought with it many important changes in the social and cultural position of the artist and more traditional values of an artist as an insignificant craftsman was beginning to be forgotten.
By the end of the renaissance period the artist had become a free educated individual and a steady rise in status began.
3. Comment on Gavin Turk's work in relation to individualism, status of the artist and egotism.
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| Knob (1997) Gavin Turk |
I believe Turk’s work to be individualistic because its ambiguous and self obsessed. This is clearly seen in his above work as he has egotistically signed his name and called it art.
If it wasn’t for the renaissance movement of art and individualism then art like Turk’s wouldn’t be acceptable or considered art by any part of today’s society. I believe individualism has made way for art like this to exist.
4. Comment on Damien Hirst's use of his work and the media for self promotion.
“During the 1990’s Damien Hirst became Britain’s most famous, young, living sculptor and painter, in part because of his own flair in self promotion and publicity skills,” (Walker, 2009).
I believe Hirst would not be as successful as he is today without the public hype created by the self promotion of his art. Hirst has been able to spot lucrative opportunities within the media thus helping create his fortune. Hirst is “the world’s richest living artist ”, (Mr 10 Percent, 2008).
With his controversial production line artwork (he employ’s over 180 employees) and with shameless self-promotion he has become one of the most influential living artists.
5. Find 2 images of work by artists or designers that reflects some of the ideas of individualism, self promotion or egotism that have been discussed on this blog. Upload images to your blog, title and date the work, identify the artist/designer and comment on the work in relation to the question.
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| Campbell's Soup 1 (1968) Andy Warhol |
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| Marilyn Monroe Print (1960's) Andy Warhol |
During the 60’s Warhol started creating paintings of iconic American products and well-known celebrities (as seen in the above examples of his work).
I believe that Warhol’s artwork (such as the above) reflect upon his individuality and uniqueness as an artist. If it wasn’t for his individualism I believe he wouldn’t be known (like he is today) as the leading artist in the art movement called ‘pop art’. His belief’s and way of thinking was so individualistic that he even published a book called ‘The Philosophy of Andy Warhol’.
6. How do you think artists and designers are viewed in Western society today?
I believe artists and designers are viewed as individuals in Western society today because they are very much free to express themselves in the way they chose. This is evident by the way in which artists such as Hirst and Turk have become successful with their controversial style of art. The evolution of art within the renaissance era has definitely paved the way for this to occur.
“The goals for artists that were formed during the renaissance – creativity, originality and innovation – are still what artists strive for today.” (The Artists Life)
Reference List:
Durer, Albrecht: Self Portraits.
Mr 10 Percent (and he’s worth every penny). (2008, September 18)
Walker, J. (2009, December 9). Damien Hirst: The Artist as Media Celebrity.Witcombe, C. Art & Artists: the Renaissance and the Rise of the Artist
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