Painting
Essays

This essay is a series of short responses about various pieces of modern art. Some comparative analyses of both artists and works are offered here. There is specific emphasis on German Expressionism, Purism, Fauvism, and Dada art. Aspects such as physical reality versus emotional reality, color, form, and movement are addressed as well.

Arnold Roche Rabell, "We Have to Dream in Blue"

European Imperialism and Decolonization: Spectacular in Some Respects, Not Spectacular in Other Respects The term "spectacular" is, in some respects, subjective. The collapse of European empires after 1945 was spectacular in some respects but not in others. The British Empire's decolonization after World War II can be logically called "spectacular" in its scope; however, it was not "spectacularly" surprising or shocking, for the Empire began decolonization decades before World War II. In contrast to the Empire's decolonization, France's decolonization can be logically called "spectacular" in both its scope and turmoil. According to research, these differing experiences of decolonization can be traced to several national and accidental factors. While post-WWII decolonization was breathtaking in its scope, painting all European Empire decolonization with a single "spectacular collapse" brushstroke would be inaccurate. Great Britain's decolonization began decades prior to 1945 and was rapidly accelerated by Great Britain's realistic approach to post-1945 economic and political realities. In addition, Great Britain's national psychology, solid government, friendly relations with the United States and relative luck in dealing with its subjects resulted in a rapid but relatively peaceful decolonization. France's post 1945 decolonization, in sharp contrast to that of Great Britain, more closely resembles a "spectacular collapse" for several reasons. Having made no attempts at decolonization prior to WWII due to its rigid intent on maintaining French rule over all its colonies, post-WWII France faced the economic and political necessity of decolonization at a distinct disadvantage. Saddled with its still-unbending intent to control its colonies, France was also overburdened by a national psychology that took the loss of a colony personally, a fractious and volatile government, an unfriendly relationship with the United States, and relatively terrible luck in dealing with colonists who were determined to be free and uncompromising in their approach to France's imperialism. In sum, Great Britain and France show markedly different approaches and effects of post-WWII decolonization, which can be fairly described as spectacular in some respects but no spectacular in other respects.

There are many great works from the Renaissance, and Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper is certainly considered among the greatest of that era. The Last Supper has strong religious themes and tones to be sure, but there is…

There is an old saying that familiarity breeds contempt. But does unfamiliarity breed similarity? In the Middle Ages, two civilizations at opposite ends of the globe evolved in a strangely similar manner.

Since the middle of the twentieth century, artistic expression and creation have been seen as valuable assets in the context of therapy and rehabilitation. The impact that art therapy has had on the field of psychology…

The only world that truly exists for any of us is the one inside our brains. Each of us experiences the world in our own special way. Our world is made up of our experiences and perceptions.

Veda Reed exhibit at the David Lusk Gallery is called From Dusk Till Dawn. Many of Reed's works give the impression of being dreamy, fantastic depictions of moods rather than concrete objects in the atmosphere.

The subject of female artists working in the American West has often been overlooked due to pervasive Western male stereotypes. These stereotypical images include popular media overlays of cowboys, male hero icons and…

1954 Nobel Laureate, Ernest Hemingway, 1899-1961, has been an icon of the literary world for over seventy years. He has been called the greatest American author of the twentieth century and his novels and short stories…