For the first lecture activity, we were tasked to apply what we have learnt about constructive criticism in evaluating a design or artwork.
What we've learnt about constructive criticism
Screenshot of lecture slides on the constructive model (2021, Tan, Kai En)
Application
I was extremely inspired to evaluate the painting, "The Four Seasons" by Arcimboldo after having seen the paintings in Louvre during one of my holidays. This is mostly because I had multiple interpretations as to what these seemingly straightforward paintings could symbolize.
"The Four Seasons" by Arcimboldo
Description
The first artwork (top left) shows a lady who's face and body are composed of fruits and vegetables. Her hair is embellished with cherries and fruits; her cheek is a peach; her dress is made from straw; an artichoke protrudes from her chest. The portrait of this lady is of her right profile and the borders of the picture are a wreth of flowers and leaves.
The second artwork (top right) shows a man who's face and body are made up of vegetables, figs and autumn leaves. His hat is a pumpkin; his face made up of apples and pears; his outfit made up of wood bound by willow branches. The portrait of this man is of his left profile.
The third artwork (bottom left) shows a man who is composed of a tree trunk with brittle branches for his hair and skin. His ear is hollows of a broken branch; his unruly beard made up of tiny branches; citrus protrudes from his chest. The portrait of this old man is of his right profile and the borders are once again decorated with a wreth of flowers and leaves.
The last artwork (bottom right) shows a lady who is adorned with flowers and leaves as her face and body. Her hair is completely made up of a variety of flowers; her skin and lips made up of flower petal and buds; her dress collar made up of daisies and her dress, of different varieties of leaves. The portrait of this woman is of her left profile.
Analysis
The four panels of artwork are a representation of different seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring). It depicts the relationship between each season and portrait. Each portrait characterises the the traits of that season. For instance, summer is depicted as a bright and cheery woman while autumn is depicted to be more solemn; spring is personified as a happy young woman whilst autumn is personified as a grumpy old man.
In a wider perspective, the artworks also show the intimate relationship between mankind and nature; chaos and harmony.
Interpretation
Upon further research, Arcimboldo’s portraits of the four seasons were said to have been created to celebrate the imperial Habsburg court and its sovereigns. Hence, they are representatives of the benevolence, power and harmonious nature of the reigning dynasty at that period of time.
Judgement
Evidently, the artwork is successful in portraying the close relationship between mankind and nature with each portrait as a personification of the four seasons. It elucidates the fusion between art and science (i.e. botany).
Fundamentally, the artwork alone is able to communicate to the audience what the artist is trying to convey (i.e. "the four seasons") even without an in-depth understanding of the history, art or context of the paintings.
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