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Aesthetics of the 19th Century
Aesthetics of the 19th Century -
Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Sculpture)
This sculpture represents political struggles and has been recreated by many artists at different times of history. Canova, Antonio. Perseus with the Head of Medusa., 1806. Image retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/204758
Cover image clip art from:
https://www.pngwave.com/png-clip-art-cksmg -
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, (Musical Composition)
The 5th symphony, aka the "symphony of fate," is one of the most recognizable and enduring musical compositions and has influenced scores of musicians.
Ludwig, Beethoven van. Symphony No. 5 in C minor., 1808. Image (Beethoven in Beethoven in 1804, the year he began work on the Fifth Symphony; detail of a portrait by W. J. Mähler) retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven) -
Pride and Prejudice (Novel)
Austen writes about society as an insider from a distinctly female perspective. Her insights still speak to and inspire women to pursue a life of personal meaning.
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice., 1813. Image illustrated by C. E. Brock. retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_and_Prejudice -
The Barber of Seville (Opera)
Depicting the lengths we go to for love and/or fortune, this light opera recently returned to its intended comedic roots in Columbus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT9umMkIJCY Rossini, Gioachino. The Barber of Seville., 1816. Image, lithograph by Alexandre Fragonard, 1830 retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Barber_of_Seville -
Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog (Painting-Romantic)
Whether you see loneliness, confusion or triumph in the piece, of his work Friedrich has said, "The artist should paint not only what he has in front of him but also what he sees inside himself," which of course extends to what is found in the result as well.
Caspar, David Friedrich Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog., 1818. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanderer_above_the_Sea_of_Fog -
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Short Story)
Representative of its time, Sleepy Hollow wrestles with the enduring questions about life and afterlife, spiritual rightness and redemption. There is also a note of brawn versus brain in the underlying romance and revelations about the Revolution as well. All of these concepts continue to bedevil mankind.
Irving, Washington. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.,” 1820. Image retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/93261.The_Legend_of_Sleepy_Hollow. -
The Raven (Poem)
Poe uses symbolism and clever rhyme scheme to break down emotional walls in order to fully experience grief.
Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Raven.," 1845. Image retrieved from
https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Poem-first-published-Classics/dp/1544048009 -
Scarlet Letter (Novel)
A cautionary tale about the double standard of morality for women that has become a feminist statement about resilience, identity and meaning. Like the A in the story, the meaning of the overall story and its symbolism continues to change over time.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Scarlet Letter., 1850. Image retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Letter -
La Traviata (Opera)
Another "fallen woman" (translation), shows a global focus on female morality around this time. While the struggle for women to make their own choices continues on under a new guise, for la Traviata, the music is where the magic happens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz5S0cqf8xM Verdi, Giuseppe. La Traviata., 1852. Image (Poster for the world premiere)
retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_traviata -
On the Origin of Species (Treatise)
The concept of natural selection or evolution is presented and changes how we relate to life and art and each other by adding a new spiritual perspective through which we view experience.
Darwin, Charles Robert. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life., 1859. Image retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species -
Houses of Parliament (Architecture-Gothic Revival)
Inside and out, parliament stands for the application of aspiration, justice, and order. These ideals are reflected in the details of the architecture.
Barry, Charles and Pugin, Augustus. Houses of Parliament. 1876. London. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Westminster -
St. Patrick's Cathedral (Architecture-Neo-Gothic)
You can see the hope and dedication to spiritual belief of the architects in their creation; these feelings are shared by those who attend mass here as well as tourists and passers-by.
Renwick, James Jr. St. Patrick's Cathedral., 1879. New York.
Image retrieved from https://saintpatrickscathedral.org/ -
An Enemy of the People (play)
A safer outlet for political discourse and disagreement, which served as a rebuttal to critics of his previous play.
Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People., 1882. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Enemy_of_the_People -
Un bar aux Folies Bergere (Painting-Impressionist)
A commentary about women as a commodity and of society itself and what it values. Manet, Édouard. Un bar aux Folies Bergere., 1882. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bar_at_the_Folies-Bergère -
Statue of Liberty (Monument)
Representative of freedom and friendship.
Bartholdi, Frédéric Auguste. Statue of Liberty., 1886. New York. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty -
A Study in Scarlet (Novel)
First in the Sherlock Holmes series that has given outlet to peoples' imaginations and desire to help ever since.
Doyle, Arthur Conan. A Study in Scarlet., 1887. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Study_in_Scarlet. -
Café Terrace at Night (Painting-Post impressionist)
A stellar depiction of depression and of loneliness stemming from the separation between people. Completely applicable during COVID with all of the people at the far end of the scene.
Van Gogh, Vincent. Café Terrace at Night., 1888. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Café_Terrace_at_Night -
The Lady of Shalott (Painting- Pre Raphaelite)
This work depicts the poem by Tennyson of the same name. It challenges or at least illuminates what is expected of women in terms of following the rules or paying the consequence.
Poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45359/the-lady-of-shalott-1832 Waterhouse, John William. The Lady of Shalott., 1888. Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott_(painting) -
First Films (Movie)
The Lumieres established another massive change of perception with movement in their art. Some may label them as inventors not artists, but their artistic vision included (created) equipment utility as well as ideas about how we see our world as seen in these slice of life style short films.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nj0vEO4Q6s
Lumiere, Augustes and Louis. “Short Films.,” December 28, 1895. Image retrieved from
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-commercial-movie-screened -
Water Lilies and the Japanese bridge (Painting-Impressionist)
Monet himself studied perspective through his paintings by painting the same subject in a variety of ways. He then shared his attempt to see the truth of a thing with the audience.
Monet , Claude. Water Lilies and the Japanese bridge., 1899,
Image retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Monet
