Where was Rodin born?
Rodin was born in Paris in 1840. He lived in Paris much of his life. He left many sculptures and all of his molds to the French government upon his death and a Musee Rodin was opened just outside of the city.
One setting in the dinner party is identified as Hatshepsut. What does this mean, is that who designed it?
All of the place settings were designed by Judy Chicago to represent women in history. Hatshepsut was a female king of ancient Egypt and one of the most successful king's of the prosperous 18th Dynasty.
The place setting is designed with ancient Egyptian motifs to represent her.
Got it. Thank you.
Where did this take place?
This painting actually represents an entirely imagined scene of the end of the world. It was painted between 1836 and 1838 based on how the artist though the world would crumble with many similarities to a prophecy in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Thank you!
Tell me more.
This earthenware bowl was created in 1792 by Cornelius Paulus. It reads “Success to the Trade and Navigation in All Free States— North [Hudson] River,” with “August 17, 1792—Albany Packet TWO BROTHERS” below. However, the inscription at the bottom reads “Freedom to the Slave G. W.” As you can see, it contains an abolitionist sentiment, though we don't know for certain who G.W. is here!
What is this?
This is a test plate for the Sojourner Truth place setting in Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party. Chicago went through a lot of trial and error when creating the dimensional, carefully painted plates. She made many plates as tests of her techniques before creating the final plate that you can see in the installation.
Ahh, what’s a test plate?
This is basically like a sketch in preparation for the final work!
Cool thanks!
What was the selection process? Why did they pick Petronilla de Meath instead of Joan of Arc?
Interesting thought! According to Chicago, the criteria were as follows:
1) Did the woman make a significant contribution to society?
2) Did she attempt to improve conditions for women?
3) Did her life illuminate an aspect of women's experience or provide a model for the future?
I would imagine that she chose Petronilla instead because even in the 1970s, many people already knew of Joan of Arc and Chicago wanted bring attention to another historical figure.
Mmm, I understand. Thanks for answering!
Is it called the "dormition” of the Virgin? The position that the she's in on the lower left panel?
"Dormition of the Virgin" refers to a scene of her death often shown surrounded by disciples. In this lower left scene she is reclining because she has just given birth.
Note the infant Christ beside her and the cow behind him showing that they are in the manger.
Thank you
This is so delicate!
Yes, for such a small statue, it has an incredible presence.
Buddhism became the state religion of Korea's Silla kingdom in the sixth century.
Small Buddhist images were likely created as objects of personal devotion and ensconced in the shrine in the devotee's home.
In his outstretched left hand, he is holding a small bowl containing medicine.
Thanks!
How hard is alabaster to carve? Were metal tools required to make this?
Alabaster is relatively soft. At this early date, metal tools would not have been used. I believe it would have been abraded slowly using other rough stones. The fine finish would be achieved by rubbing the surface with sand.
To what extent was Caibotte considered successful in his own right in his life time?
Caillebotte was born into a wealthy family, so he didn't worry too much about selling a lot of work. He even financially supported his artist friends and collected their works.
That said, he was invited by Degas to participate in the First Impressionist Exhibition in 1874 (though he declined to participate), and his work was reviewed favorably by critics at the time.
Thanks, so a modest success?
It would seem so, yes!
