A Summary

Well, this is the last post in the series regarding the history of humanities.  There may be future posts to come, that are strictly highlights of a certain artwork, or song, or book, but for now, this is it.  I thought for this post that I would show my favorites, and tell you why they're so great.

First, Chopin.

Lately, I have been playing through some Chopin etudes when I need a break, or just want to play the piano. His music is beautiful and it's natural.  Because it was from the Romantic Era, it was meant to be very emotional, and to me, it most certainly is.  I feel that if Chopin were alive, we would be able to understand one another perfectly, strictly based on the music we chose to play.  It's sort of an interesting thought, but I believe everyone has some form of self-expression, or a self-identifying feature that they completely enjoy and can become immersed in.  Chopin's music is mine.

Next is Monet.

I love his work because it doesn't tell me how to feel; it's an impression, and it just is.  It's natural and speaks of the person that Monet was.  Chopin's music encourages me to feel a certain way, while Monet's art just gives me an impression.  Then I can choose to interpret however I choose.  

Last is Wordsworth.  Wordsworth is one of the greats when it comes to poetry.  Though cryptic at times, to me it's fascinating to uncover the meaning in his poems and to know that I'll never know exactly what he meant; the poem will always be a mystery.  I think there is always something to be learned from reading and rereading poetry written by inspired men.  Here is an excerpt from one of my favorite poems: I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud.

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

As a last little note (a.k.a., a plug), Humanities may seem like the study of art history, music history, and written history, which on the surface, it is.  It is also a study about how people expressed themselves.  In essence, it is a study about ourselves.  I hope you can all come to enjoy, or at least appreciate, those works of the past that have done such a tremendous job of representing  the history of humankind.  We wouldn't be ourselves without them.

Toward the Modern Era: Art, Music, and Literature

The modern era began with Manet.  His painting, Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe, opened the way for revolutionary creativity.

He also painted this: A Bar at the Folies-Bergere.  

Then came Monet.  

Renoir.  

Seurat. 

van Gogh.  

Gaugin.  

Mary Cassatt.  

Munch.  

Cezanne.  

Picasso, and many others.

It seems that as time grows closer to our era, the artistic styles grow farther apart.  There is no "ism" to  classify modern art, other than modernism itself.

In the way of literature, Dostoyevsky wrote Crime and Punishment, Ibsen's A Doll's House was performed, Wilde published Salome, Kate Chopin composed The Awakening, and Freud created Interpretation of Dreams.  These literary works share the theme of societal development.  Again, the styles are different but the theme of modernism pervades all.

Music nearing the modern era gains the name Impressionism.  This is also what the works of artists such as Monet, were called: Impressionistic.  Debussy and Ravel were th two most well known musicians for this era.  However, once Shoenberg's music appeared, the modern era had been reached.  Shoenberg is man credited with developing atonal works.  They are difficult to listen to, but very modern in their sound.  Stravinsky, Cage, and Mahler were also musicians that are grouped in the moder era.  It is interesting to seek for the symbolism in their works.  Just as Mahler said, "A symphony should be like the world-it should contain everything."  Their works strive to do just that.

Toward the Modern Era: history, background, and philosophy

What do you think of when you hear the word 'modern'? In relation to humanities, I think of a time that is growing increasingly chaotic in it's representation of art, music, literature, and philosophy.  There are many reasons for this entropy, but I think the main reason is the growing sepration from God that humanity is choosing to experience.  Here is what Nietzsche in Thus Spake Zarathustra:

“God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?”

In conclusion, this is a time when the world grew increasingly violent, increasly pessimistic, and increasinly dinstant from God.

The Romantic Era: art, music and literature

Just because the title of this era is Romantic, doesn't mean that this era is about love.  It is, however, about passion.  Beethoven is probably the most well-known composer of this era, and his life was full of passion.  As a child, he grew up with his abusive father, who was also a musician, and realized his son's talent early on.  As he grew, it seems that Beethoven used his music as an escape from the trials in his life.  He was known to have a fierce temper and it only grew worse as he progressively lost his hearing.  His last symphony, Symphony #9, was composed after he was completely deaf.  It's been said that he even cut off the legs of his piano, to lay it on the ground so that he could feel the vibrations of the pitches. 

The six characteristics of the Romantic Era were these:
1. The Expression of Personal Feelings
2. Self-Analysis
3. Love of the Fantastic and Exotic
4. Interest in Nature
5. Nationalism and Political Commitment
6. Erotic Love and the Eternal Feminine.

Chopin and Liszt were also composers of this era known for their great virtuosity and sense of nationalism.  Schubert was known for his smaller works, of which there are more than six hundred.  Brahms, most famous for his lullably, uses melody to express Romantic ideals that are easy to listen to while Bruckner's music takes a little more patience.  Verdi and Wagner were known for their operas which are still performed worldwide.  (For a sample of romantic music, please press play on the playlist found at the bottom.)

Revolutionary literature at this time came in the form of poetry, Dickens, transcendentalists, Marx, and Goethe.  Suggestions for some light reading: Poetry by Byron, Shelley, Keats, or Wordsworth.  Any novel by Dickens.  Walden by Thoreau, Moby Dick by Melville, Les Miserables by Hugo, War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leaves of Grass by Whitman, and Faust by Goethe. 

The artists of this era were diverse in their styles, yet held on to the ideals of Romanticism.  Try to see if you can find all the six characteristics in the artworks below.

 Constable

Courbet

 

Daumier

Girodet-Trioson

Goya

Friedrich

Ingre

Turner

Delacroix

 David

The Romantic Era: History, Background, and Philosophy

Goethe was the man during the Romantic Era when it comes to philosophy.  He led the Sturm und Drang, (storm and stress) movement against Neo-Classicim.  Sturm und Drang was the foundation of the romantic era.  Much of the philosphy was based on turmoil and emotion within the human being.  Goethe's novel Faust is a good demonsration of such turmoil.  Another element of the romantic era was the near worship of nature.  Romantic writers and philosophers often compared human existence to that of nature.  For example, in Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights, she uses a dark sky and a twisted, old tree to represent the mood and feelings of the characters.  It is important to pay close attention to the use of nature in all romantic reading.  To end, here is a snippet from Wuthering Heights:

'May she wake in torment!' he cried, with frightful vehemence, stamping his foot, and groaning in a sudden paroxysm of ungovernable passion. 'Why, she's a liar to the end! Where is she? Not THERE - not in heaven - not perished - where? Oh! you said you cared nothing for my sufferings! And I pray one prayer - I repeat it till my tongue stiffens - Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living; you said I killed you - haunt me, then! The murdered DO haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts HAVE wandered on earth. Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only DO not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I CANNOT live without my life! I CANNOT live without my soul!'

He dashed his head against the knotted trunk; and, lifting up his eyes, howled, not like a man, but like a savage beast being goaded to death with knives and spears. I observed several splashes of blood about the bark of the tree, and his hand and forehead were both stained; probably the scene I witnessed was a repetition of others acted during the night. It hardly moved my compassion - it appalled me: still, I felt reluctant to quit him so. But the moment he recollected himself enough to notice me watching, he thundered a command for me to go, and I obeyed. He was beyond my skill to quiet or console!

...I held no communication with him: still, I was conscious of his design to enter, if he could; and on the Tuesday, a little after dark, when my master, from sheer fatigue, had been compelled to retire a couple of hours, I went and opened one of the windows; moved by his perseverance to give him a chance of bestowing on the faded image of his idol one final adieu. He did not omit to avail himself of the opportunity, cautiously and briefly; too cautiously to betray his presence by the slightest noise. Indeed, I shouldn't have discovered that he had been there, except for the disarrangement of the drapery about the corpse's face, and for observing on the floor a curl of light hair, fastened with a silver thread; which, on examination, I ascertained to have been taken from a locket hung round Catherine's neck. Heathcliff had opened the trinket and cast out its contents, replacing them by a black lock of his own. I twisted the two, and enclosed them together.

From Rococo to Revolution: Art, Music, and Literature

The best word to describe the art and architecture of this time is froo-froo.  Everything was very feminine and delicate.  The colors used in art were pastels and the theme was usually love.  Architecture was very gaudy.  Here are some examples.

Watteau

Boucher

Carriera

Fragonard

The most famous literature this time was written by the philosophers mentioned in the previous post.

The music of this time is categorized into the Baroque and Classical eras.  Interestingly enough, there is no music said to be from the Rococo era.

So there you have it.  A short blog post, but the main point was this: froo froo.

From Rococo to Revolution: history, background, and philosophy

The Rococo was short and sweet.  It was like a palate cleanser in between two main dishes: the Baroque and Romantic Eras, which were very moving and almost emotionally taxing times.  The Rococo was much more lighthearted in it's artistic forms, which I will discuss in the next blog post. The time period for the Rococo was from about 1700-1815, meaning it took place during the American Revolution and Napolean's reign. 

Philosphy during this time was developed by Pope, Swift, Voltaire, Hume, Rousseau, and Paine.  It was dominated by satire and a cry for the need of social reform.  Below is an excerpt of an essay by Swift, called "A Modest Proposal." The whole essay is somewhat lengthy, but well worth the read.  Swift was known for his satiristic form of writing.  This work especially is known for it's brilliance in solving a problem (the burden of the poor in Ireland), albeit in a very unexpected and unnaturally calm way. 

"I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.

"I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.

"But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets...

"I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter..."

The Baroque Era: Art, Music, and Literature

Have you felt so jealous that you considered ending your very existence? Well, that is how Borromini, an architect of the Baroque Era, felt, and exactly what he did. His life is a symbol for the Baroque Era: full of passion, movement, and novel ideas. He had talent, but he was jealous of what he did not have and tormented by ideas of losing his fame to a man named Bernini. Because he was so competitive Borromini created some exquisite architecture that still exists today. Although he ended his life prematurely, his gift and influence as an architect lives on.

Borromini is most famous for his Church of San Carlo all Quattro Fontane. The beautiful curves accentuate developments of the time and the corinthian columns reflect a more classical and familiar style. What Borromini has done is to bring in the new while utilizing the old; this way, citizens feel comfotable examining his architecture while learning to appreciate newer styles.

The interior is also blooming with flamboyance and innovative creativity. From looking at this building, it is hard to imagine how a man so talented could be so jealous of another.

This is Bernini's David. It is much different than the classic form sulpted by Michelangelo. Here, David is in the act of slinging a stone toward Goliath's head. The expression in his face and accuracy of the anatomy is astounding. Bernini's talent, good looks, and charm won him patrons and much attention that Borromini never had.

The most famous artists of the time were Caravaggio who is famous for his use of light, Caracci, de La Tour, Poussin, El Greco, Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Gentileschi who was one of the first women to make a significant contribution in the way of art. There are others, but I feel that these few are a good representation of the diversity between artists even in one time period.

Caravaggio (above)

Caracci

de La Tour

El Greco

Vermeer

Rembrandt

Gentileschi

The most famous musician of the Baroque Era is Johann Sebastian Bach. He is one of the giants that held up many future musicians. The music of this time is characterized by a very steady tempo, polyphony, and more dynamics than in past music. Opera was also developed during this time.

Another famous musician of the era was Geroge Frideric Handel, known most for his Messiah. See the playlist towards the bottom if you're interested in hearing his and Bach's music.

Literature at this time was beginning to become more widely read due to the printing press. the Bible was translated and published so all who had money to buy one, could read it. John Milton wrote Paradise Lost, and John Donne wrote poetry in the metaphysical style. Here is one of my favorites: "No man is an island, entire of itslef; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's desath diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

The Baroque Era: History, Background, Philosophy

The Baroque period lasted from the late 1500's to the early 1700's. It developed as ideas during the Renaissance took a turn toward counter-reformation. Just as the Renaissance was known as the rebirth, the Baroque era could be compared to adolescence: a very contradictory and emotional time.

The Counter-Reformation was spurred by the Roman Catholic Church because it was losing members to Protestantism. In order to gain them back, the Church reformed, in some ways, to universalize its teachings and audience. (In the next post, you'll see how the Church used the humanities, especially art, to include and teach all people.) During this time period, Catholicism seemed to be competing with other sects to make developments that would reach the biggest audience, hence the formation of the term "Counter-Reformation."

The Baroque Era was also known for the expansion of emotional traits in literature, music, and the arts. Classical form was rejected for more movement in paintings, more dynamics in music, and more speculation in literature. This was a period of rapid change.

The philosophies on life were also changing at this time. Men such as Locke, Pascal, and Spinoza were all active during the middle of the Baroque period. Another man, named Rene Descartes, was also famous for changing the way the world thought and for his tragic death. His famous philosohpy was, "I think, therefore I am." His death occurred one day when he was waiting in a friend's sitting room. A maid asked him, "May I offer you some wine," to which Descartes replied, "I think not," and vanished.

(Just as a disclaimer, Descartes most likely died of pneumonia, but I had you going for a second, didn't I?)

The Renaissance

The Renaissance, the rebirth, the renewal of styles that lasted from the 14th to 17th century. Here's a highlight:

This is a very small portion of Michaelangelo's masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. Although Michaelangelo is most famous for his mural on the chapel's ceiling, he considered himself more of a sculptor. Here is his Pieta.

I feel that this sculpture epitomizes the Renaissance style. It has a very classical form and a religious theme. Mary is the ideal beauty and her face is similar to those found in many paintings of the Renaissance time.

And now, to end with a quote from a very well-known Renaissance man: "The object of art is to give life a shape."

The Beginning

"To be, or not to be - that is the question." And this blog has decided to be-at least for a little while. This semester I am enrolled in a Humanities class. I love culture and learning about the arts. I also have a belief that the world today may have many cultures, but overall, it is still uncultured. My goals are to enlighten any readers with some beauties that the history of humanities possesses, and to add a little culture to the life of those who so choose. So, thanks for reading, and enjoy!