Verified Document

Abstract Impressionism Arshile Gorky's "Agony" Research Proposal

The title of the painting comes from Latin and means "Man, heroic and sublime," going back, in fact, to an essay that the painter wrote, in which he asks "If we are living in a time without a legend that can be called sublime, how can we be creating sublime art?." This is, in part, his answer. According to some interpretations, the thin lines are a show of admiration for the Italian artist Giacometti and they are a representation of the human individual in all his weaknesses and glory as well. However, it is also a geometrical representation which helps divide the painting and the red background into different segments. Apparently, there is no rule to that, however, one can notice that the segment that is thus created in the middle is a perfect square.

The strive for perfection and the ultimate symmetry is perhaps even more obvious in Robert Motherwell's painting, with a clear square actually drawn with black on the entirely blue background. One could actually have a debate on whether this is a square or rather a rectangle, which would probably signify that one can follow perfection and strive to attain it, but that this is always just close enough rather than an actual reality. The blue background can suggest numerous things, but probably just induces a sensation of well-being for the viewer, a relaxation aimed to counterbalance modernist anxiety.

This is probably taken back to the title and to the artist's perceptions on the sublime. The square is an obvious perfect representation of the sublime, because of all its sides being equal, as well as its numerous lines of symmetry. The fact that the lines may suggest human kind makes an interesting connection with the existing sublime.

The fact that modern art is in fact just a limitless expression of the artist's inner beliefs and his wild imagination comes clear with Robert Morris's Untitled (Threadwaste). As we can see from this creation, the main focus of the artist is not necessarily to transmit or pass on to the audience a certain message, but...

It is now the turn of Robert Morris to show that one does not necessarily have to limit his diversity to colors and shapes, but that he can go further to include even different materials. His work leaves the two dimension space the previous two artists we have mentioned have used to enter a three dimension world, which allows even more expressivity and numerous opportunities (although, because of the extraordinary capacity to give out so much expression, the two paintings previously mentioned can also successfully qualify as three dimension works. For example, in Philip Guston's work, the rock does not necessarily seem a two dimension piece, but rather stands out in the painting on its own).
The five works of art come together to show an important characteristic of modern, abstract art: the artist's continuous affection for pure imagination exercises. Under the anguish of the 20th century uncertainties, the artist finds refuge in his work and discovers inner traits of his personality, which, otherwise, would have probably not come out.

We do not need to seek interpretations of their work, but simply enjoy the colors, shapes and attitudes that seem to spring out of anywhere for a simple aesthetic pleasure.

The main painting of reference, Arshile Gorky's Agony is suggestive in this sense, the title giving us the hint of the artist's incipient incentive. From there on, he simply seems to go all the way to achieve the inner expression of his artistic conscience and partially translate it in the form of shapes and colors, of lines and shades.

Bibliography

1. On the Internet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2377958983/.Last retrieved on July 22, 2008

On the Internet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2377958983/.Last retrieved on July 22, 2008

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

1. On the Internet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2377958983/.Last retrieved on July 22, 2008

On the Internet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2377958983/.Last retrieved on July 22, 2008
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Color Purple
Words: 710 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Color Purple While setting is extremely important in most stories, it is essential to Alice Walker's The Color Purple. Celie's life is extremely tragic, but it is important to the outcome of the story for one to view Celie, not as a victim, but as the protagonist, and, eventually, the hero. In order to view Celie in this manner, it has to be clear that she begins the story without any

Color Purple; Intimate Matters My
Words: 2314 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

Regular sex instead is a cure for many things, including the frustration that is at the root of many acts of violence. The only limit that I would place upon enjoying regular sex is that it should be done in a manner to ensure the maximum safety of all partners involved, and that everybody involved should be consenting adults. Any occasions where people are being hurt or tortured for the

Color Purple Women and Oppression
Words: 992 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my brothers. I had to fight my cousins and my uncles. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men" (46). Sofia is brazen and outspoken and has little in common with the often-beaten and intimidated Celie. Celie says, "I like Sofia, but she don't act like me at all. If she talking when Harpo and Mr. ____ come

Color Purple
Words: 1305 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Expressions Through Writing In The Color Purple, symbolism is used to reflect the struggles of the main characters. The main protagonist is Celie, who is a young African-American girl in the South. She is not fitting in with society for a number of reasons. First, she has a very low social standing, being part of the underclass. But in addition to this, she is abused by her father, Alphonso. Celie is

Color Purple the Awakening and Jane Eyre
Words: 767 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Color Purple- Film and Book The Color Purple is a deeply through-provoking and highly engrossing tale of three black women who use their personal strength to transform their lives. Alice Walker's work was published in 1982 and it inspired Steven Spielberg so much that he began working on its film version as soon as the novel won accolades for its brilliant storyline and powerful narrative. However the movie, though it

Color Purple, Directed by Steven Spielberg and
Words: 2029 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Color Purple, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the eponymous novel by Alice Walker, recounts the tale of Celie Harris and the obstacles she had to overcome in order to achieve the freedom she longed for and deserved. The Color Purple deals with many social issues including racism, sexism, and poverty, but a major underlying theme within the film is belonging. There are many ways in which the

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now