The Arts Past and Present; Reputations book 1
Assignment one
Part 1 Cleopatra
Read the following passage carefully at least twice. What does it tell us about Plutarch’s view of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra?
Plutarch’s view of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra tells us it was a mutual affection and it is elaborated by Plutarch very cleverly on how much or less they actually cared for each other. By what Plutarch has written about how Antony behaves in front of Cleopatra suggests he admired her a lot. It also seems like both enjoyed each other’s company ‘She played at dice with him, drank with him, hunted with him’ and ‘she kept him in constant tutelage’ (Plutarch, in AA100 assignment Booklet, 2011, p.18).
This also suggests she wanted to be part of his life and get as much attention as she can by deliberately spending time with him all the time for him to be seduced by her charm and Cleopatra did not care what she had to do. Cleopatra did like Antony’s humour as she went along with everything he did.
Plutarch emphasises Antony being more attached to Cleopatra than she was. It seems Antony wanted to impress her to keep his pride, respect and not be shown as a loser in front of his lover, by showing he was a good fisherman and Cleopatra did not think about his feelings due to mockery she made of Antony by inviting people to the fishing boats and making a joke of it. ‘He was fishing once, and had bad luck and was vexed at it because Cleopatra was there to see’ (Plutarch, in AA100 assignment booklet, 2011, p.18).
The Essay on Cleopatra Marc Antony
When you think of Cleopatra you tend to think of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. Which isn't far from the truth. Cleopatra was queen of Egypt, which is located on the Nile River. In her lifetime she had every luxury imaginable, which she used to gain the popularity of the roman authority. She was very important in terms of Egyptian history. However she was also very well known in terms of Roman ...
Plutarch has also written in other sources that many Roman people had strong negative feelings towards Cleopatra by seeing how Antony turned out after being with Cleopatra and becoming ignorant at other duties. He was so infatuated by her that he turned against his own empire, ‘He is either blind to reason or mad, for I have heard and can believe that he is bewitched by that accursed woman’ (scott-kilvert,1987 pp.53).
Plutarch has portrayed Cleopatra as a manipulator who turned Antony from a man to a crazy lover with no control over his emotions or stability ‘it corrupted all those redeeming qualities in him which were still capable of resisting temptation. ( Plutarch, in Scott-kilvert, 1965,p.294 & p.25).
Even Antony had his selfish reasons for seducing Cleopatra ‘Anthony sought to use Cleopatra and the East merely as playing pieces in his bid for power in distant Rome’ (Franco Cavazzi, 2002), but clearly he was besotted and overwhelmed by her beauty and the selfishness was overtaken by love.
By reading the passage on the assignment booklet and also the passage by Plutarch on his account of their meeting in Scott-kilvert, 1965, p.293 tells me he viewed Cleopatra as secure and vain. She knew she could charm Antony and even if she insults him or betrays him, she can win him over thus having control over him. He surely views their relationship more as a desire than deep love and accentuates Cleopatra as negative influence on him and as a powerful woman.
Bibliography
Elaine Moohan (2008) The arts past and present: Reputations AA100 book 1, The Open University.
The Roman empire (2002) The alliance between Marcus Antoninus and Cleopatra V11, available from http://www.roman-empire.net/articles/article-028.html ( accessed 27 March 2002 ).
Plutarch, life of Antony, 29-30; reprinted in AA100 Assignment Booklet (October 2011) Milton Keynes, The Open University, p. 18.
Part 2 Cezanne
Look carefully at plate 1.3.24, Cezanne’s Jug and Fruit (1885-87), and Plate 1.3.30, Zurbaran’s Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633).
In no more than 500 words outline what you think are the main differences between them.
The Essay on Monet Painting Cezanne Art
A new work on impressionism can t claim to throw new light on a subject, which has been repeatedly and thoroughly discussed and written about. Attitudes toward and ideas about art, like everything else, undergo changes, modifications, and shifts of emphasis. Today, we look upon the impressionists not only as revolutionaries who defied the academic traditions of their age, not only as the ...
Both painters show different sense of expressions in their painting although both are of the same theme but the painting is done in their own unique way.
Zurbaran has used his brushwork very neatly and carefully, he has given attention to every detail therefore it is hard to notice his brush strokes. He has used linear technique whereas Cezanne has used a painterly technique which shows his brush strokes going in different directions, making the painting look rough but expressive.
Zurbaran has defined his painting well and cleverly, drawing attention to the lemons and oranges. He has used wide tonal range, as you can see the background is very dark to give emphasis and importance to the fruit, it seems he has deliberately done this to enhance the effect. The way he has shown the light appearing from the upper left distinguishes between the lighter and darker elements to give a striking effect. Cezanne on the other hand has used a narrow tonal range and a limited number of hues for calmness and solidity. The tint he has used in the background presents strength and intensity as well as indicating a quiet atmosphere. The colours he has used give a subtle and glowing look to the painting. He has tried to make the painting look natural in contrast with Zurbaran’s painting which has a vibrant effect due to how he has thickly and evenly painted everything.
Cezanne has used minimal modelling as if to show the spectators it is paint and not make it so real like photography as done by Zurbaran who has used modelling to create sense of depth. The fruit in Zurbaran’s picture look so real and juicy and are placed so gracefully it could make it difficult to resist the temptation of touching and tasting for the viewer. Cezanne’s painting of the fruit is indeed paint and he didn’t paint to create an idealistic image but he has painted so near to the picture plane as to make the viewer feel the need to touch it and an illusion to feel it.
Although Cezanne has not created a big effect by modelling, he has given an intensity and colour to the image by using yellow and orange to create a warmth atmosphere. The pear in the middle indicates the light is coming from the front or right as it is placed straight and separate with nothing blocking it to stand out. It seems Zurbaran automatically draws the viewer’s attention to the basket of oranges as it is placed in the middle and is highlighted deliberately giving sense of purity but Cezanne has shown a different sense of perspective to the viewer by using Strong horizontal elements which are given an emphasis in Cezanne’s painting, maybe he wanted the viewer to look beyond the painting frame and imagine the scenery. Both painters have used oil on canvas but in totally different techniques as you can see and both paintings give sense of peace in their own way.
The Essay on A Critique of the painting, “The Last Supper”
The Last Supper was a painting by Leonardo da Vinci produced in late 15th century. Leonardo painted the painting on Santa Maria della Grazie convent wall in Milan. The work stayed around 1495 and commissioned as part of a renovation plan to the church and convent buildings by Ludovico Sforza. The painting depicts the scene of the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples according to John13:21. ...
Bibliography
Elaine Moohan (2008) The arts past and present: Reputations AA100 book 1, The Open University.
The Open University (2011), AA100 Illustration Book (Plates for book 1 and 2), Milton Keynes, The Open University.
