Posterous theme by Cory Watilo
Kacey Kuchenbecker

Art Viewing Reflection

 1. Provide your own thoughts, after having watched the film and this "SmartHistory" video, about the significance of this painting as it relates to History and Art History. What, do you feel, are the most important things about it? How does it transcend time and why has it influenced so many other artists after its production? How do you feel about the way Goya "copied" newspaper sketches of the time, and how later artists "copied" him? Discuss your thoughts on some of the symbolism.

It inspired different artists to create art in a simular consept such as Picasso "Massacre in Korea" and Robert Ballagh "The 3rd of May after Goya" who created a modern pop art painted of the Third of May. I think its okay for him to copy the newspaper sketches, but I think it would be right for him to give the persron credit who made the sketches. For those who copied him and made the art into a different style of art, I think it would be appropriate for them to give credit/add that the original ideas came from Goya.

2. An artist is a passionate person. How does passion inspire public action? Compare Goya's motives in creating this piece with the motives of David in painting "The Death of Marat". Also, what elements are similar in the two works and what are different? What do you feel, is the lasting legacy of both?

Passion inspires public action because art tells a story. When an artists' art is put on a display, its meaning and story is shared with the public. The viewers then create an opinion off of the art. The Death of Marat and the paintings of Goya are simular because they both share violence, death, blood, hatred, and intentional murder. They are different because they involve different types of murders.

3. Art as History: How is Picasso's quote: "Art is a lie that brings us closer to the truth" apply to both the Third of May and Death of Marat, given that you now know the historical circumstances (with realtive accuracy) behind these paintings?

Lies of the painting "The Death of Marat"- the letter was really a note of traitors, the knife was never in his hand (he was stabed until he bled to death), and the artist made his skin look as if glowing and beautiful when really it wasn't.

Lies of "The Third of May"- The hole in his hand was not real (it was added from the artist), the soldiers weren't as close to the victims as Goya portraid them to be (they were further away), and the soldiers weren't as lifeless as the paintings were.