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Gold Marilyn Monroeis a 1962 painting by Andy Warhol. Executed in silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on canvas, the large painting depicts the famous actress Marilyn Monroe, who committed suicide earlier that year. The image of Monroe comes from a publicity still for her 1953 movie Niagara.[1]
References[edit]
Dyer,Jennifer. "The Metaphysics of the Mundane: Understanding Andy Warhol's Serial Imagery." "Artibus et Historiae" 25, no. 49 (2004): 33-47
Notes[edit]
- ^ Dyer, "Metaphysics of the Mundance," 34.
"Venus and Mars" is one of the many works of art created by the Italian Renaissance artist, Sandro Botticelli. Before Botticelli prided himself as an artist he adorned the name Alessandro Filipepi. In Botticelli’s youth he was an apprentice for a gold smith local to the Italian City of Florence, during his time as an apprentice Alessandro gained the nickname-Botticelli, which translates into Italian meaning ‘little barrel.’ After Botticelli’s time as an apprentice underneath the master gold smith he devoted his life to the arts, specializing in painting. Botticelli gained the opportunity to work side by side as well as to study underneath the Quattrocento artist Fra Filippo Lippi. During his apprenticeship with Lippi, Botticelli learned how to create and paint his colorful and tender works of art that can be seen today. Botticelli was inspired by classical, and mythological stories and scenes which can be seen depicted throughout his works of art. In the painting Venus and Mars there is a link between the pagan gods of the antiquities, the satyrs-which are the woodland creatures consisting of a body that is half man, half goat are visible to the viewer in the Botticelli painting. These creatures are running around and abducting the gods weapons. "Venus and Mars" was created in 1413 on tempera and is currently on display in the National Gallery of London. Where this painting is a representation of the classical scenes from the antiquities, biblical references are also contained within the paint on this canvas being that Christianity was a popular subject amongst the artists of the Renaissance time period. Venus the female figure in the painting is known as the Roman Goddess of love and beauty. The adult male figure in the painting is the Roman God of warfare, known by the name Mars. These two gods have powers that oppose one another yet they are known for their powerful love affair with one another, which can be seen in the painting created by Botticelli. Art Historians all around the world have developed theories behind the meaning of this work of art and the hidden messages the painting conveys. An observer looking at the painting "Venus and Mars", would observe Mars in a comatose state slumped against a pillow located on the forest ground. The war gods armor is removed from his time spent with Venus and is strewn all around him. Four little satyrs find the two gods within the forest and begin the play with Mars’ abandoned armor. There is one mischievous satyr brazenly wearing Mars armor underneath the pillow the war god is laying on top of. This satyr is connected to classical mythology being associated with the Roman god of wine-Bacchus, as well as Christian ties. By holding a strange piece of fruit and sticking out his tongue similar to that of a snake, references have been made to Adam and Eve from this particular satyr. Another group of devilish satyrs are holding a lance coinciding with a phallic symbol with a conch shell connected to its end (a symbol of triton, and hunting horns). One satyr is blowing into the conch located right beside Mars head but is unable to awaken him. Mars has been entrapped by the little death that comes after making love. Another theory of why Mars is not being awakened from the scene of chaos happening all around him consists off of the idea that the war god has been drugged by Venus. Botticelli painted a plant located on the bottom right hand corner of the painting which relates to the plant "datura stramonium", also known as poor mans acid. Drugs and love potions were commonly created within Renaissance Europe and within the Medici family, who were loyal patrons of Botticelli's works of art. Patronage was a very important part of everyday life to the artists of the Renaissance and from times before. There are wasps above the head of Mars, circling him that give the viewer a clue as to who the patron of this fine work of art was. Wasp in Italian is called ‘ "Vespa" ’ a term that composes the family name of Vespucci as well as their coat of arms. This painting would have been commissioned for a wedding to remind the newly weds of their duties to continue the family line. This painting would not have been placed on the wall of the patrons home but within the bridal chamber. By incorporating the canvas into the headboard of a bed it would become a spalliera di letto appearing to the viewer as if "Venus and Mars" were laying on the bed themselves. There was a bond between the patron of this painting, as well as the muse behind the face of Venus. This particular model who represented the goddess Venus was the same in almost all of Botticelli's creations formally known throughout Florence as Simonetta Cattaneo. Simonetta Cattaneo called Genoa her home until her marriage with Marco Vespucci, where she moved to the city of Florence to be by her husband and was soon recognized as 'The Queen of Beauty'. Known throughout Italy the most beautiful woman from the Renaissance time period. Botticelli is said to have been so devoted to his muse that his dying statement was to be buried at her feet which is where the Italian artist lies to this day. It seems fit to have the most beautiful woman alive to represent Venus, the Goddess of love. With her long blonde hair and soft features Venus looks ethereal and serene within her garden. While her companion Mars is asleep in the painting, Venus is wide awake and watching the satyrs mess and play with Mars and his armor. The Roman goddess is depicted in Renaissance clothing compared to the classical representation of Venus either completely in the nude, or draped with the robes of antiquity. The clasp of Venus’ dress is composed of her hair symbolizing her sexual powers and dominance over Mars, if Venus choose to reveal herself a slight motion of her body would expose her leaving the dress to fall off of her body. This painting wasn't just trying to depict the power of Venus but to maintain modesty for the patron as it was meant to be a wedding gift, where it would have been ‘inappropriate' to view the wife in the nude. Not only can the characters of human representation tell the viewer about the meaning of this painting, but the background and landscape can as well. There is a faint depiction of Florence in the background informing the viewer of where the creation of this painting took place. The foliage and forestry surrounding the figures on this canvas, composes a mixture of evergreen plants, laurel, and myrtle. Flowers were also typically seen within an Italian forest, but none are depicted within this painting. The lack of flower representation point a viewer towards a seasonal period in which the artist was viewing while he was painting his canvas. The laurel is associated with the Medici family, and the Myrtle a symbol of Venus. This could symbolize the rumored love affair between the woman behind the face of Venus-Simonetta and Lorenzo di’ Medici.
References[edit]
David , Bellingham. "Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli." My daily art display. December 30,2011. Accessed April 21, 2017. https://mydailyartdisplay.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/ venus-and-mars-by-sandro-botticelli/.
Emil, Kren, and Daniel, Marx. "Venus and Mars." Venus and Mars by BOTTICELLI, Sandro.Accessed April 25, 2017. http://www.wga.hu/html_m/b/botticel/5allegor/40venusm.html.
Eric, Rymer. "Sandro Botticelli Biography." Biography of Sandro Botticelli. Accessed April 21,2017. http://historylink101.com/art/Sandro_Botticelli/bio_Botticelli.htm.
"High Art: Were Botticelli's Venus And Mars Stoned?" NPR. June 12, 2010. Accessed April 21,2017. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127752216.
"Venus and Mars." The National Gallery. Accessed April 21, 2017. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/sandro-botticelli-venus-and-mars.