Two Italian Paintings Essay Example for Free

Two Italian Paintings Essay The Madonna and Child subject matter was culled from Duccio di Buoninsegna’s (considered the father of Sienese painting) â€Å"Maestà ¡Ã¢â‚¬  which depicts â€Å"the Madonna and Child enthroned with saints and angels on the front of its two-sided panel (â€Å"Sienese Paintings†). Enriching each painting are Byzantine influences, the so-called International Gothic Style and the work of seven great Italian artists, four Sienese[1] painters and one sculptor: Duccio di Buoninsegna (active by 1278); Simone Martini (active by 1315), brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1320-44 and 1319-47 respectively), and sculptor Giovanni Pisano (active 1284-1314); one Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1266/76-1337) heralded as the father of Western Art; and one Roman painter Pietro Cavallini (ca. 1240 – after ca. 1330) also credited with changing the course of Italian Painting[2] (â€Å"Sienese Painting† and â€Å"Panel Painting†). Evidence of the evolving Sienese style appears in Paolo di Giovanni Fei’s and Giovanni di Paolo’s work when you consider that both reflect Simone’s tendency towards â€Å"richly tooled surfaces with elegant naturalism[3]† and the Lorenzetti brothers â€Å"native feeling for rich color harmonies and precocious interest in genre-like details† (â€Å"Sienese Painting†). To that end Paolo di Giovanni Fei ‘s work, on the same subject matter, the Madonna and Child, is a creation of deliberation as the process of creating a panel was involved. Fei’s style is â€Å"characterized by a fanciful use of color and emphasis of detail rather than rational spatial illusionism† (â€Å"Paolo di Giovanni Fei†). The wonderfully varied palette of â€Å"Madonna Nursing Her Child† , a work dating from the late Medieval Italian period, ranges from the gold ground to the deeply indigo-hued robe of the Madonna with its turquoise and agate lining and gold detailing to the pale coral of her Child’s swaddling with its chalcedony lining. The engaged frame reflects his fondness for detail, containing several medallion-like decorations, while halos, worked into the ground, surround the heads of the Madonna and Child. Present as well is Fei’s disregard for the third dimension giving the panel a negative aspect with regard to landscape which manifests as a sense of flatness behind the stylized rather than completely naturalistic figures. The nursing child appears to drink from an object more related in appearance to a chalice than the Madonna’s breast. Clearly, the Madonna and Child are the focal point of the painting as there is no apparent source of light in the painting. Rather it is infused with light, this being the overall effect of the gold ground; the oil gilding used to attach it; and the tempera, which not only gives a hard shiny glaze, but allows for the obvious hatching and crosshatching apparent in the brushstrokes. The brushstrokes bequeath a sense of layering and depth for richly luminescent color. And for all the visually apparent texture of the painting, the relief conveyed by the scrollwork and medallions, Fei still captures and coveys both the lustrous, smoothness of gold and its softness of flexibility. Some of the above characteristics are also true of Giovanni di Paolo’s â€Å"Madonna and Child with Two Angels and a Donor†, a later work from the following Italian Renaissance period. Barring the addition of the extra figures its subject matter also draws from Duccio’s â€Å"Maestà ¡Ã¢â‚¬ , depicting the naturalistic figures of Madonna and nursing child before a backdrop noticeably more aware of the third dimension than Fei’s. As to the medium and support, Giovanni applied tempera to wood, creating a panel like Fei’s but considerably larger at, nearly five feet by three feet with a shaped top. The frame is reminiscent of early Gothic cathedrals while the luminous colors and richness of detail bring to mind a stained glass window, little touches adhering to the style called International Gothic. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, â€Å"the flesh areas of the Virgin and Child; the angels and donor, and the floor and pillow are remarkably well-preserved, but the haloes of the Virgin and Child are modern, as is the checkered cloth of honor. The red of the Virgin’s dress has been repainted and the gilt floral ornament of her cloak; which is heavily abraded is also of recent date† (Caption for â€Å"Madonna and Child with Two Angels and a Donor†). For all their modernity the additions are in keeping with Giovanni’s palette choices as the red checked cloth echoes the Virgin’s red robe, while the addition of gilt ornamentation on her robe adds the luminosity, found in the gold ground. Giovanni covers a considerable range of hues in his palette, from the gold background to the ultramarine and viridian hued cloak with gold detailing and the crimson dress of the Virgin to the soft rose and gold trellis of the Childs swaddling blanket to the primrose, blue, and brown of the Angels tunics to the deep muddy brown of the Donor’s robes and finally the ochre, red, rose blue and brown of the pillow and floor. As with Fei’s earlier work, Giovanni’s later work after the panel tradition infuses light throughout the work as opposed to depicting a singular source to illuminate the focal point of Madonna and Child.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a comparison of Fei’s â€Å"Madonna Nursing Her Child† and Giovanni’s â€Å"Madonna and Child with Two Angels and a Donor† each, while after the Sienese panel tradition, are clearly representative of their art periods. Fei’s work, with its two dimensional use of space is closer to the Byzantine style informing late Medieval Italian paintings and the rather stylized representation of the human form in addition to the choice of tempera for medium and wood for support. Paradoxically, Giovanni uses the same medium and support, tempera and wood, despite the availability of oil paints, which came into use during the Italian Renaissance, Giovanni may have tried to reproduce the panel technique used by Fei, albeit unsuccessfully. For Fei’s work seems better preserved than Giovanni’s despite being older. In overall effect, Fei’s work seems closer to the pagan roots of Christianity, lacking an awareness of the Neo-Platonic traditions, such as the Chain of Being which seems to inform Giovanni’s work. In the latter work is an awareness of humanity, represented by the donor and therefore the purpose of the Angels and the Madonna and Child, the salvation of humanity. In Fei’s work the figures are somehow abstract and more like extreme apostrophes of salvation. In summation, the works of Paolo di Giovanni Fei and Giovanni di Paolo reflect the influences of their Sienese forbears (â€Å"Sienese Painting†). Both â€Å"Madonna Nursing Her Child† by Paolo di Giovanni and â€Å"Madonna and Child with Two Angels and a Donor† by Giovanni di Paolo reflect the stylistic and technical qualities of their times the late Medieval Italian and Italian Renaissance periods, respectively. However, peculiar to both and in a sense unifying them under the Sienese style[4] are the artists’ choice of medium and support: tempura on wood with gold ground and subject matter the Madonna and Child and a notable Pisanesque tendency to incorporate relief, areas of sculpting into the painting (â€Å"Sienese Painting†). Works Cited Department of European Paintings. â€Å"Italian Painting of the Later Middle Ages†. In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000-. http://www.metmuseum .org/ toah/hd/pane/hd_pane.htm (October 2001) Department of European Paintings. â€Å"Italian Painting of the Later Middle Ages: Panel Painting†. In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000-. http://www.metmuesum.org/toah/hd/iptg/hd_iptg.htm (October 2001) Department of European Paintings. â€Å"Sienese Painting†. In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000-. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/sien/hd_sien.htm (October 2004) Larmann, Ralph. â€Å"Oil Painting†. Art Studio Chalkboard. University of Evansville Art Department. http://studiochalkboard.evansville.edu/ (November 2007). Delahunt, Michael. Editor â€Å"Light, Oil Gilding, Oil Paint, Ground, Gesso, Medallion, Space†. In Artlex: Art Dictionary. http://www.artlex.com (1996-2007) Anonymous. â€Å"Paolo di Giovanni Fei†. Union List of Artist Names Online: Full Record Display.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The J. Paul Getty Trust 2004. http://getty.edu/vow/ULANFullDisplay?findrole= nation=subjectid=500013966 Anonymous. â€Å"Giovanni di Paolo†. Union List of Artist Names Online: Full Record Display.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The J. Paul Getty Trust 2004. http://getty.edu/vow/ULANFullDisplay?findrole= nation=subjectid=500116438 Paolo di Giovanni Fei: Madonna and Child (41.190.13). In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/iptg/hod_41.190.13.htm (October 2006) â€Å"Madonna and Child with Angels†. Scholar’s Resource. http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/work/2144570308 [1] Siena with Florence was the chief economic, political and cultural center of Tuscany in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance (â€Å"Sienese Painting†). [2] â€Å"Maestà ¡Ã¢â‚¬  which depicts â€Å"the Madonna and Child enthroned with saints and angels on the front of its two-sided panel (â€Å"Sienese Paintings†). Duccio’ work belongs to the later medieval period which was influenced by Byzantine influences which grew in thirteenth century Italy with the fall of the Byzantine Empire at the hands of Christian armies. The work of masters such as Florentine Giotto di Bondone and Roman Pietro Cavallini not only led to the expression of more humanistic and less stylized depictions of emotions and figures but helped create a new approach to pictorial space so that the flat world of the thirteenth century became more analogous to the real world. This led to the ever evolving style of the Sienese panel painters who were fond of creating altar pieces for churches with the Madonna and Child shown on the main panel. [3] Simone’s style formed the basis for the so-called International Gothic style (â€Å"Sienese Painting†). [4] The Byzantine influences, the so-called International Gothic Style and the work of seven great Italian artists, four Sienese[4] painters and one sculptor: Duccio di Buoninsegna (active by 1278); Simone Martini (active by 1315), brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti (active 1320-44 and 1319-47 respectively), and sculptor Giovanni Pisano (active 1284-1314); one Florentine painter Giotto di Bondone (1266/76-1337) heralded as the father of Western Art; and one Roman painter Pietro Cavallini (ca.1240 – after ca. 1330) also credited with changing the course of Italian Painting[4] (â€Å"Sienese Painting† and â€Å"Panel Painting†).

Computers in the Classroom :: Technology Technological Essays Education

Computers in the Classroom Computers are being used in classrooms all over the country. Children have access to a computer while at home or at school. However, is the technology being channeled through computers being depended upon too much? Are they going to take over the role of the teacher as an educator? Many educators are asking these questions regarding the education of their students. Computers affect the students and teachers in both positive and negative ways. In this paper I am going to discuss the benefits and downfalls of computers in the classroom. In just five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of computers being used. Computers are virtually in every home, school and library. People can access facts and ideas that they were never able to before and can also do many things that were out of reach and unimaginable. In 1995, according to the Census Bureau of the United States, fifty percent of schools had access to the internet but by 2000, the numbers rose to ninety-eight percent. In 1995, only eight percent of classrooms had access to the internet and by 2000, seventy seven percent of classrooms had access to the internet. Teachers have taken advantage of the accessibility and have begun to include the computers and the internet into their lessons everyday. In 1999, of all public elementary schools, fifty six percent of teachers were using the internet to have their students to get more practice in certain areas and producing reports and projects. However, is using the computer beneficial to the teacher and the students? With the internet being so available, students are given the opportunity to be linked with the outside world that they may never have otherwise experienced. Interactive games and simulations can now be found that give students a valuable visual representation of a place, how something works, or an experiment. Also, students can now take what the teachers have taught them in class and practice their skills and stuffy their facts on the computer. With this convenience, students are now performing better on standardized tests than ever before because they are able to practice the subjects in a fun way. [1] Student’s research will also change because instead of using books for references, students will use the internet that does not always contain as many reliable sources. A student with access to the internet is often times more eager to learn and does further research on a topic that interests them because it is within reach in seconds.

Description of Proposed Network Essay

Our proposal includes the development of a LAN able to meet the requirements of your company’s software. The computer network components include the use of a server, a switch, patch panel, and a router for the office. The selected NOS (Network Operating System) is Windows 2000 Server. This operating system provides great conveniences to the installation, configuration, and maintenance of the network. Windows 2000 Server provides the enhanced DHCP, DNS and WINS features allow a network administrator to expediently manage all clients on the network. The data communication media for the networks is UTP CAT5. This cabling follows the Ethernet standards for TCP/IP and ensures decreased propagation and noise. I understand the motivations for creating a network and can apply these technologies to improve communications and access to information, as well as support and maintain the infrastructure. Goals and Products: The following list is networking hardware that can be implemented: *Nortel Networks Passport 2430 Enterprise Router: Offers the features and performance of more expensive routers, but at a much lower price. Also, this unit is known for its quiet operation, and sleek enclosure. *Nortel Networks BayStack 350 Series Switch: supports high-utilization workgroups for high-bandwidth uplinks to servers. *Dell PowerEdge 650 Server: Cost-effective rack server performance, manageability, and serviceability. Easy to mange. Also with tape drive backup support. *Nortel Networks OPTera Metro Cabinet 5200: Free-standing structure which will hold router, switch, server, and patch panel. *16-port Patch Panel Each employee workstation is to be custom ordered from Dell. Each employee will house a Dell computer with the following options: *2 GHz Pentium 4 Processor *256MB RAM *13GB Hard Drive *Netgear FA311 10/100 Network adapters *52X CD-Rom *8 MB Video Card *17†³ Monitor (Can use current monitors if budget is exceeded) *Internal Zip Drive Fast Ethernet is the protocol of choice. The wiring is a higher quality than the Category 3 normally used by Ethernet, therefore is a bit more expensive, but a worthy advantage. Fast Ethernet defines a star topology. There are many advantages in designing a LAN based on a star topology. It allows expansion to the existing LAN without effort or disruption. Troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance can be accomplished to a failed node without holding up or disrupting work on other nodes. The first step of implementing the network involves running drops in two corners of the office. The switch, router, patch panel, and server will be located in a rack closet dedicated to LAN equipment. This rack will be placed in a location for centrality. The entire office will be cabled with category 5 unshielded-twisted pair cable. Wall faceplates to include both drops and a phone jack will be installed. Panels spanning each wall will  house cables to ensure a clean look. As can be expected, the physical cost to install these drops are minimal, the labor is the majority of this expense. The second step of implementing the network involves configuring each piece of networking equipment. The router will be set up to ensure serviceability and reliability between employees and the server. From the router there will be a switch attached. The router will service a protocol (DHCP) which will allow workstations to access the network. The patch panel will be used as a middleman between the user and the switch. 1ft cables will be used to connect the switch and patch panel with also the use of a punch-down block. The third step of implementing the network involves configuring the server. This server will be set up to store crucial data, backup data, directory services (User Management), and file and print services. From the server you will have control and full access to each employee’s machine. Specifications: Hardware plays an important role in reliability of a network. Each workstation is to be custom ordered from Dell. Each employee will house a Dell computer with the following options: *2 GHz Pentium 4 Processor *256MB RAM *13GB Hard Drive *Netgear FA311 10/100 Network adapters *52X CD-Rom *8 MB Video Card *17†³ Monitor (Can use current monitors if budget is exceeded) *Internal Zip Drive In addition the office will house a Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4000N due to estimated heavy printing volume. The network equipment will be housed in a rack mount closet. That equipment will consist of a Dell PowerEdge 650 Server with the following components: *3.06GHZ Pentium 4 Processor 512K internal L2 Cache, *1GB ECC DDR266 Memory, *Netgear FA311 10/100 Network adapter, *16x4GB SCSI Hard Drive’s, *3.5†³ Floppy Drive, CD-ROM, and Internal Zip Drive. The hard drive’s in the server will be partitioned into a public working drive and a back up drive and will also be using RAID 5. Equipment and Labor Costs: Equipment: *Passport 2430 Enterprise Router – $349.99 *BayStack 350 Series Switch – $714.99 *PowerEdge 650 Server – $1499.99 *OPTera Metro Cabinet 5200 – $1299.99 *12-port Patch Panel – $119.99 *Cabling Costs: oUTP CAT5 Cable 650FT (~60ft per workstation) – $500 o(48) RJ-45 Connecters – $200 *(10) Custom Dell Workstations featuring Windows 2000 – $6000 *(11) 17†³ Monitors – $1100 (Save this by using current monitors) *HP 4000N LaserJet Printer – $200 *Looking at a total for equipment just shy of $12,000 Labor: *Flat hourly rate of $90/HR. *Project will take 5 business days (8hr/day limit). *Looking at a total for labor- $3600 An estimated Grand-Total- $16,000* *This figure is based on new state of the art equipment and software. Every item has been carefully examined to ensure it offers the most for the needs of Creative Accounting. Cost may be cut if the need arises, however, efficiency and technology will be sacrificed. All in all, this network has been developed with the sole purpose of satisfying the company’s needs within realistic constraints. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding this proposal.

The Progressive Era Of The United States - 1558 Words

The United States is a country that has been built on political, economical and social reform. One revolutionary era in particular that has played a major role in the establishment of new laws and acts which are used today is the Progressive Era. The Progressive Era was an age of political reform during the late 1800’s to early 1920’s, which also contained a lot of social advocacy for workers’ rights. Before the social reforms began in this era, there were numerous instances where poor and immigrant individuals were abused by corrupt political systems. In order to expose the corruption, many journalists who became known as â€Å"muckrakers† began writing for popular magazines during the Progressive Era. One journalist who ultimately shed the†¦show more content†¦Sinclair uses the characterization of Jurgis, the main character in the novel, to demonstrate the harmful effects which capitalism can have on an individual in the working world. Jurgis wh o starts off in the novel as a strong able bodied man finds himself along with his family, victims to a ruthless political machine that runs Packingtown, the district where they reside in. These political machines are political organizations which commit acts of corruption and debauchery. After settling down in Chicago for work the family quickly enter the meatpacking industry to make money to support themselves. However, they soon realize that all the big businesses care about is using workers for cheap and unreasonable labor then throwing them aside once their health begins to deteriorate. Jurgis and his family experience their first misfortune when they believe that they purchase a house but are in reality only renting it then go on to be kicked out after their lack of economic funds despite already putting down so much money on it. The family goes on to face many perils such as extreme poverty, starvation and even death in Sinclair’s novelization. In a sense these occurre nces are very similar if not actual depictions of the social theory, Social Darwinism. This theory basically states that only the strong will survive while the weak, which are the