Hi, my name is Eduardo. I live in in a small town named Galt and currently studying at Cosumnes River College. I enjoy hanging going out, playing sports, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with family.
The artist that will be focused on in todays blog is the famous sculpting mastermind Gian Lorenzo Bernini. In the article "Three Proposals for Gian Lorenzo Bernini" by Ann Sutherland Harris talked about major pints that Lorenzo did when it came to the technique and preserving his sketches. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born in 1598, the sixth of Angelica Galante and Pietro Bernini's thirteen children. Bernini grew up in Naples, where he began sculpting at a young age, working closely with his father. Stated in the article, "The study of the sketching youth and the two academies presented here hardly make a dent in the total of lost drawings by Bernini, but all three are powerful drawings and their recovery may lead to further finds in the still explored recesses ode European drawing cabinets" (Sutherland 126). Along with his colleagues, architect Francesco Borromini and painter and architect Pietro da Cortona, Bernini was a key player in the establishment of Roman Baroque architecture. Through an ambitious urban planning project undertaken under his sponsorship by the powerful Roman Popes of the period, his ideas helped restore Rome to her previous architectural splendor.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Something that was stated in the reading and not in the journal article was that Bernini revolutionized the way sculptures were displayed. He frequently produced them "in the round," which refers to works that stand alone in large areas and are intended to be seen from all sides by the observer, boosting the total experience and intimacy with a piece. In the reading it stated, "Bernini gives the figure additional expressive power by his deep cuts in the stone, producing strong contrast between light and dark" (Cunningham 364). Although Bernini's drawings have gotten less aesthetic attention than his sculptures, there are a number of perceptive publications in a range of languages that combined give a comprehensive overview of his work in this medium. Stated in the article, "Scholars and and collectors of old master drawings focus on the survivors" (Sutherland 119). Study works for some of his sculptural or architectural contracts would have been some of his most accomplished sketch work. These big projects would need extensive preparation before beginning the final piece, and sketches may be drawn relatively rapidly to test a concept for a single aspect of the entire artwork.
Here is a short 5 minute video going more in depth on Bernini's own sculpture of "David":
"Bernini, David"
The main reason why I had chosen the artist and article that I did was for the sole reason that I wanted to expand my knowledge on sculpting back during this particular era. Stated in the article, "The accented strokes defining the contour of the figure, with breaks that cause the eye to finish parts of the line, appear in both sheets as do dramatic blocks of empty paper and dark tones that model the forms with a bravura hard to find in the work of any other Italian siecento craftsman" (Sutherland 121). There are many creative ideologies when it came to creating a sketch for Berninil; Bernini was a playwright, director, and actor who was heavily influenced by the theatrical. He authored, directed, and acted in plays, particularly carnival satires. This penchant for drama impacted not just his architecture and sculpture, but also his designs for stage sets, theatrical technology, and a wide range of ornamental art objects. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was a major influence and revolutionized the sculpting scene during his era.
Work Cited
Riech. "Chapter 15: "The Baroque World"Culture and Values, by Lawrence S. Cunningham.
Harris, Ann Sutherland. “Three Proposals for Gian Lorenzo Bernini.” Master Drawings, vol. 41, no. 2, Master Drawings Association, 2003, pp. 119–27, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1554582.
Bernini, david - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uEtvaUsI_w.
Edward VI granting the Royal Charter, 1553. by Beth Von Stats
The article I chose to focus on for todays blog is "Edward VI and The Pope", written by Roy C. Strong. The main reason why I had chosen the young ruler Edward VI and this article is connect to my concentrated theme is to what extent does religion influence human events. The throne of England fell to Henry VIII's youngest legitimate child, a son, who became known as King Edward VI, after his death in 1547. Because Edward is just ten years old when he ascends the throne, he is surrounded by a Regency Council of counselors and advisers. Stated in the article, "The young King is enthroned beneath a cloth of estate and at the feet of this doll like figure there lies an open book inscribed THE WORDEOF THE LORDE ENDVRETH FOR EVER; it is the Word of God whos purity crushes down and vanquishes the impure Roman pontiff" (Strong pg 311). After surviving measles and small pox, Edward VI only ruled for six years, succumbing to TB (then known as consumption). Viruses like this were common in Tudor England, which explains why people lived very short lives. Because the typical individual only lived until about the age of 35, a person of 18 years old would be considered middle-aged. As a result, Edward's death at the age of 16 was not unheard of. Before his death, King Edward VI followed a tradition started by his father Henry VIII. The Crown seized Catholic Church lands, which became known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It wasn't enough, though, that Church lands were taken. They were also re-distributed to aristocratic households around England, mostly to purchase the nobility's favor.
Here is a short video ten minute video for a brief summary of King Edward VI:
The portrait I chosen was "Edward IV 1537-53", illustrated by William Scrots; it is an amazing portrait with little details that truly makes the small details to stand out and really focus on how important and powerful King Edward VI was back then. Strong stated, " The portrait of Edward VI is derived from the earliest portrait series of the new King, of which a version at Petworth is datef 1547" (Strong pg. 311). The little prince is dressed in a russet satin gown with flowing sleeves, velvet edging, gold thread embroidery, and lynx fur lining. The Prince of Wales' coronet and feathers are adorning the gem around his neck. Through the left window, a deer park may be seen, with Hunsdon House, Hertfordshire, in the background. From May to July 1546, Prince Edward stayed in Hunsdon. The artwork may be seen in Pyne's 1819 illustrated 'Royal Residences,' hanging at Windsor Castle's King's Closet.
Edward IV (1537-53) by William Scrots Oil on panel
The main reason why I was so interested in King Edward VI was because he was King Henry VIII successor; I was very curious to know how influential King Edward VI would be to his people in comparison to his father. Another major comparison I wanted to dive into was how the young king handled the situation of religion during his time as the thrown. Before him, his father abused the religion system influencing his own desires, so I was curious to see how the young king would do in his fathers place. King Edward was reformed to be a Poststent while a majority of England continued to be Catholics. Stated in the article, "The scene of iconoclasm in the Edwardian allegory are framed by a backcloth of smoldering ruins of building collapsing one upon the other" (Strong pg. 312). He paired a strong commitment to religious reform with a determination to address social and economic problems such as the alleged widespread enclosure of land for pasture conversion.
Work Cited:
Strong, Roy C. “Edward VI and the Pope.” Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, vol. 23, no. 3/4, Warburg Institute, 1960, pp. 311–13, https://doi.org/10.2307/750601.
Edward VI (1547 - 1553) - 10 minute history - youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMm03Tg2XPA.
Staats, A. B. von. (2020, February 16). A godfather's solemn charge - the coronation of king Edward VI. Queen Anne Boleyn. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://queenanneboleyn.com/2017/02/20/godfathers-solemn-charge-coronation-king-edward-vi/.
William Scrots (active 1537-53) - edward VI (1537-53). Royal Collection Trust. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.rct.uk/collection/404441/edward-vi-1537-53.
Hamlet considers whether fate or free choice is more important, whether it is better to act decisively or let nature take its course, and, finally, whether anything we accomplish during our time on earth matters. When Hamlet discovers that his uncle has murdered his father, he feels compelled to act, but he has so many misgivings about his circumstances and even his own sentiments that he can't determine what to do. During the whole play Hamlet is in the middle of three crises, according to the play's exposition: his country is under siege, his family is disintegrating, and the internal struggles he has to face. Overall, I really enjoyed reading the play as it brings to attentional what real problems many young princes and even the royal families had to face during that specific era. The main themes shown in this play had to do with corruption, revenge, religion, politics, and reality. The world known play Hamlet by William Shakespeare was originally published in 1603 originally written in Early Modern English. An interesting fact about the play was that it was his longest ever and the setting was focused on the country of Denmark. One major reason why Shakespeare was inspired to write Hamlet was because of the death of his only son who had died from an unknown illness. The very wealthy, upper middle class, and lower middle class made comprised Shakespeare's audience. All of these people would seek amusement in the same way that we do now, and they would be able to afford to go to the theater.
William Shakespeare
One of the key themes in Hamlet, being a revenge tragedy, is retribution. The concept of honour is closely tied to the concept of vengeance. The honor of Hamlet as a 'good son' is linked to his responsibility to revenge his father. 'Speak, I am obligated to hear,' Hamlet exclaims to the Ghost, to which the Ghost answers, 'So are thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear' (Act 1, Scene 5, lines 10-11). This dialogue emphasizes the connection between vengeance and honour, as well as the acknowledged obligation of a son to exact vengeance on his father's behalf. In Hamlet, madness is another major theme. Hamlet chooses to ‘put an antic disposition on' after hearing the Ghost's account (Act 1, Scene 5, line 191). His insanity begins as a masquerade to avoid the skeptical monarch and his snooping spies, Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern, so that he might explore the veracity of the Ghost's allegations. As the play progresses and Hamlet stays mired in his own bewilderment and indecision, there are instances when he appears to lapse into true lunacy, raising questions about his mental health. It would not be unusual for his circumstances to cause him to become paranoid and mentally ill. The strain of feeling obligated to murder Claudius despite his strong moral and intellectual objections, along with the knowledge that he is surrounded by people he cannot trust and who are continually scheming against him, would put any character to the test.
My overall final thoughts about the play are positive. I thought the majority of the script was well written and really carried its own weight until the very end. From my previous reading of Shakespeare I was already aware of how the play might end, but from all the others this one surprised me the most. From start to finish I was impressed and what made me really had me thinking the most had to be the main themes of the play; most of the themes I can see as real world examples that many have done or even thought about such as revenge, corruption, and mental struggle. I believe that Shakespeare did a great relating the play to many of his audience in one way or another. Hamlet is a play everyone should really look into as it stands as one of if not thee best play of all time written play by William Shakespeare.
"Why Should You Read Hamlet?"
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Work Cited
Mategrano, T. (2002). Cliffs Complete: Shakespeare's hamlet. John Wiley & Sons.
Why should you read "hamlet"? - Iseult Gillespie - YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTu39aMg_mU.
