The next series of hallways would become a source of exhaustion for me -- they were so big. Upcoming after European furniture are the halls dedicated to European paintings. Because each of the gallery were generally unmarked, I actually didn't keep track of which time periods they belong to. However, I will try to make comments on aesthetics and the general implications of each photo.
This photo is incredibly well detailed, down to the person's facial features. It is an oil painting commissioned for what appears to be an aristocrat. What makes this painting also unique is the inclusion of the white dog. The dog also appears to be incredibly detailed, especially considering it would be impossible for the dog to maintain its posture. Of course, the presence of the dog also serves to expand upon the perceived wealth of the depicted man. The background in this painting appears to be some some nondescript classical background, with a curtain on the left side. The solemn facial feature of the man depicted also shows the seriousness of the portrait. I also consider the lighting to be a bit suspect, because if there was an abundance of light, then the man's cloak should reflect more details. Instead the artist gave the man's cloak a 2D appearance on the lower part of his robe. Still, the amount of detail present in this oil painting is astonishing and captures the essence of the man's expression and wealth.
This one is interesting because there are two figures intertwining each other, back to back. The most impressive thing about this, I thin are the trapped clothes. To paint the many folds on a person's cloth is not easy and often requires careful brushstrokes. Also, the red vs white cloth allows the observer to differentiate between the two men because the background is relatively dark. Even though the depth and lighting aren't realistic, It's fairly clear to the viewer that the man sitting down is giving some discourse to the man behind him. The inclusion of hand expression help accentuate this painting. The imaginative sunset behind the two men then ties everything together. I find this to be a very impressive painting overall.
This is one of the more impressive bronze reliefs I've set my eyes on. Projecting simple pattern onto bronze mold is impressive, but to create a bronze relief as detailed as this one is taking that ability to another level. The inclusion of this bronze relief helps diversify the stereotype of European art during the early modern period - that paintings were pretty much the sole artistic medium. Of course, architecture, pottery and other mediums continue to proliferate, less conventional art like these bronze reliefs remind us that art can be three-dimensional and historically diverse. Also, a word of caution of the nudity below.
I took this photo of this painting because it is so reminiscent of the Venus of Urbino. Indeed, this painting is cast in a very similar fashion, depicting a nude woman set atop a bed with white sheets. This variation is also a painting by Titan, the man behind the Venus of Urbino. However, compared to the Venus of Urbino, the subject is less forward and suggestive. Rather than depicting a scene of feminine empowerment, there is a certain passiveness and delicacy with the incredibly white bedsheets and high levels of bloom lighting. Much like the painting with the two men above, there is a bit of an abstract background on the right hand side. In fact, none of these two paintings seem to set themselves in a realistic location.
Overall, I find all of these to be fascinating, and I think provokes me to ponder the differences and dynamics of these paintings in relation to each other. I think, the bronze piece was necessary, because all of the remaining European galleries were nothing but paintings. These paintings and bronze sculpture ease the transition and occasional numbness of amazing paintings - indeed I found my sense to be numbed after completing the monstrous European paintings gallery. Still, I wandered forward in search of the famous artworks that I have learned in my textbooks.
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