This is the equestrian bronze sculpture of Paduan General of Venetian army (condottieri) Erasmo Da Narni (GATTAMELATA) made by Donatello in 1443-53. It is installed on a high marbal base in front of the church of Sant’ Antonio in Padua. If you want to characterize one image in Italian Renaissance then that would be self made condottieri. These condottieri had their own army and they fight for any state, any city whoever is paying them.

Donatello’s source of this sculpture was two Roman bronze equestrian portraits. He must have seen these two during his stay in Roam. Equestrian Monuments of ancient Roam demonstrate Emperor’s bravery, nobility and authority. The horse symbolized the passion and man’s physical animal nature. Horsemanship was very important skill to learn in past.

When you look at the sculpture closely, the man’s who is riding on horse has sunken cheeks, sagging jaw, ropy neck and stern but sad expression. These all expression suggests that warrior grown old and tired of constant need for military vigilance and rapid response.
Donatello was always appreciated for sculpting human emotions and expression in his work. And this equestrian sculpture is great example of it.

Week 2

This is the unicorn tapestry from fifteenth –century. This tapestry are used has wall hangings for royal and aristocratic patrons. The tapestry provides insulation and luxurious decoration for the stone walls of halls, churches and municipal buildings. The tapestry was woven with wool, silk, silver and gold threads. The richest tapestries were woven by silk and gold.
The tapestry showed here is from hunt of the unicorn series. “Unicorn found at the fountain”. The tapestry has rich colors, fine details of flowers, animals and foliage, tonal variation in the animal fur.
The tapestry has a mythical horse like animal the unicorn who could be captured only by virgin Christ is the unicorn and captured by Virgin Mary and that’s why he became the symbol of incarnation and romantic love.
In this tapestry the unicorn purify the water by dipping his horn in to the stream. This act resulting the capture and killing of unicorn which equate with christ’s death on the cross to save humanity.
All animals’ flowers and trees in tapestry have symbolic meanings. Like lion is a symbol of power, faith, courage and mercy. Same way trees and flowers are symbols of protective and curative powers.
So in fifteenth century the tapestries were found with subject matter of religious belief and mythological stories.

Visual Thoughts

This is the abstract painting created by artist name osnate tzadok . The name of the painting is Visual Thoughts. According to name it’s completely express the subject matter and the meaning in nonrepresentational way. The medium of the art is acrylic paint and color composition is very warm and vibrant.

This is one of my favorite pieces because it’s reflecting my thought process. Once I have some design problem. My mind will be full of thoughts and it’s like a roller coaster ride going on in my mind. It’s like flood of thoughts. And different thoughts mingle, entangle and mixed to gather. At the end I will come up with some solution which is the result of all brainstorming.

Sea Form

Chandelier

This is the work of glass artist Chahuly. I like his work and these pieces because of its vibrant colors and its abstract form. The first piece represents the sea form. The second piece is chandelier which has free flowing organic plant like form. Chahuly’s style of work shows his fascination for organic shapes from nature, vibrant colors and linier form. The medium for these pieces is glass.

These are the example of one stroke painting done by me. I love bright colors. The medium is acrylic paint on fabric.