What is our art for? essay

What is our Art for? Art is a representation of man’s thoughts in the rawest manner. It communicates with the most simplest of the human beings at all times. It strikes the cords of man’s soul and touches one’s heart. It has the capacity to make one laugh or cry, happy and elevated- this is the power that art has over Man. And man by nature is a social animal said Aristotle, where responsibilities begin at a tender age and walks with us all throughout our life. Thus, we have great responsibilities not only to ourselves but towards the people who belong to this planet.

Keeping this in mind, Art in my opinion has a great Social Responsibility. Art from time immemorial provides us messages. Every painting talks to us if one tries to comprehend what it says. Be it the ancient art, medieval, renaissance or modern contemporary art, each of them function in providing not only personal, but social messages to us. The painting-The Effects of Good and bad Government in Town by Ambrogio Lorenzetti compares the effluence of prosperity and the devastation of war.

It proclaims and emphasizes on peace and what man can lose to a dreaded disease called war. Picasso’s Guernica, William E Pidgeon’s War paintings tell a tale that time and again we are consumed by a horror called War.  The next great aspect that proclaims paintings is that of man’s morale. The Money Lender and His Wife by Quentin Massys is one such.

Here there is a great emphasis on the virtue of man. In this painting the money lender who seems to be busy looking and working on a coin, his pious wife on the other hand wishes that money doesn’t get lured to the temptation of the riches. Similarly, William Hogarth’s Harlots Progress “ depicts the downfall of a country girl through the seduction of big city” (“ Arts and Culture”) – the inclination towards city life during the Industrial Era. The Scream by Edvard Munch, tells us about emotional workings within a man. The bold depiction of nature and the emotional turmoil felt by the person is painted as a cry from the person in The Scream.

Art defines the culture and brings out the various facets in the history of humanity. The pre-historic art: the art in The Lascaux caves with some realistic paintings of animals, the paintings in the tombs of Egypt, makes us relive the atmosphere that was present in those days. One can never forget to mention the Renaissance art which spoke immensely to the world. It procured and produced not only the masters but made their masterpieces immortal. The Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo- manages to connect with 40 ancestors of Christ. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci acknowledges the essence of emotion and reaches the masses without any second thought.

It helps us visualize the most important chapter in the life of Christ. Art teaches us! “ William Holman Hunt’s The Awakening Conscience allows the woman to recognize the error of her ways in time to change her life” (“ Arts and Culture”). It informs us of what is ought to happen when one takes the path towards self-corruption. “ W A Atkins’ The Upset Flower Cart (1862), for example, depicts a father teaching his daughter to give money to a distressed poor person” (“ Arts and Culture”). This art and its value, when one sees is rendered speechless and when one writes is rendered wordless.

Art brings about a sense of solace when one truly tries to find the reason behind it. It gives us hope as to what a patient society well versed in the life of peace, solace, values and virtues looks like. One cannot describe the power of art in mere words. Art is to be felt and applied. A few brush strokes with the right about of grace and color has a great ability to stimulate the senses.

And as artists we should make full use of this power. With power comes responsibility. As responsible citizens we should paint a positive, modern-day man working to stay fit, encouraging others to do the same rather than simply painting a pretty vase of pink flowers. We should depict and propagate the reforms that we tend to see in and around us.

Art has changed the way we look at things and has definitely brought out the suppressed voice of many. Thus, we find that freedom of expression given to artists can suffice and be eloquent at all times and let us make use of this freedom for a better society! Works Cited“ Arts and Culture- Visual Arts.” Brunel 200. n. d. Web. 24 March 2010.