In New York, the state in the northern region of the United States with its rolling plains, hills, valleys and beautiful landscape, you will find innumerable of drug rehab centers if you are looking for treatment of drug addiction. If you are going for Rehabilitation NY, then the selection of the most suitable drug rehab center is very essential. Selection of drug rehab center plays an important role to have good chances of a successful recovery. However, it may become a difficult and sophisticated task, as it requires a lot of hard work to get all the information about so many rehabilitation centers available in the state. So, it is better to spend some time in searching a rehab center which suits you. Particularly, for the individual under the control of drug it becomes very complex to undergo this research if there is no one to support him in the task. Here is some brief information about the Drug Rehab Center NY which will help you a lot to start your search process.
There are several treatment centers in New York and each one is specific in a particular type of treatment. Mostly, the treatment and programs provided by Rehab Center NY are differentiated according to length of treatment. Basically the treatments provided by these treatment canters are of two types. One is short term treatment and other one is long term treatment.
Short Term Treatment
In short term treatment, the treatment programs offered by these centers is just a matter of some weeks. Treatment programs are generally completed in three to four weeks. The treatment package is modified in such a way that it covers all the aspects correctly while limiting to the short period of treatment. During this process, addicts have to undergo detoxification process in order to get rid of toxic materials properly. Addition to this, twelve step programs are given to treat the mental aspect and various other exercises, group meetings and sessions to give behavioral and emotional treatment. This meeting and counseling are conducted frequently in the treatment centers which are very useful in the phase of recovery. In short term treatment, they also provide aftercare that will that will make certain that you are supporting your recovery after leaving the center.
Long term treatment
In long term treatment, the treatment programs may lasts for one to two years. Depending upon the condition of the patients, duration of the programs may vary. Generally, long term treatment program are for those who are addicted to hard drugs and has been going for long time. In these treatment centers, addicts have to stay in the residential settings during the treatment program. Addicts are monitored continuously under the supervision of experts. Therefore, the chances of recovery are faster and success rate is higher than the short term treatment.
These treatment centers also offer outpatient treatment program. This program is for those who cannot stay in the treatment center for pursuing the treatment. In this case patients have to visit the center frequently for counseling and medication.
Thus, it is always better to pick a center which offers treatment personalized to suit individual conditions in which you are fully comfortable such as Rehab NY.
A Short Guide to the Entire History of Italian Renaissance Painting
The art of the Italian Renaissance continues to fascinate and influence us more than four hundred years after it has ended. But what exactly does the "Italian Renaissance" refer to in terms of painting and how can it best be understood?
The exact parameters are up for debate but I am referring to art created by artists who lived in what is currently considered Italy from 1300 to 1600. The definitive idea of the "Italian Renaissance" was conceived of in the mid-19th century. When I lecture on this subject I tell my students that the phrase "Italian Renaissance" is a bit misleading for a few reasons.
Keep in mind that Italy was not united as a modern country until 1861, during the Renaissance it was governed by several large city-states including The Vatican (Rome), The Kingdom of Naples (ruled after 1504 by the Spanish), the Republic of Florence, the Duchy of Milan, The Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy (Torino) and Sardinia among others. Due to the different independent city-states the art and architecture from each region was in fact quite different and should be noted as such rather than being thought of as one overall "Italian" style.
The three hundred year period known as the Renaissance (the rebirth of classical arts and humanities) can be further broken into several chronological periods. Contemporary writer Giorgio Vasari conceived of the Trecento, Quattrocento and Cinquecento to describe the 1300's, 1400's and 1500's and I find that terminology useful as well as a way to describe the artistic differences between the early, middle and later periods.
Here then is our Short Guide to the Entire History of Italian Renaissance Painting:
Early Renaissance/Trecento (the 1300's)
Brancacci Chapel: Saint Peter Raising the Son of Theophilus and
Saint Peter Enthroned as First Bishop of Antioch, Masaccio, 1425, fresco (Santa Maria del Carmine)
The exact parameters are up for debate but I am referring to art created by artists who lived in what is currently considered Italy from 1300 to 1600. The definitive idea of the "Italian Renaissance" was conceived of in the mid-19th century. When I lecture on this subject I tell my students that the phrase "Italian Renaissance" is a bit misleading for a few reasons.
Temptation and Expulsion, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo, Vatican, 1508-12
Keep in mind that Italy was not united as a modern country until 1861, during the Renaissance it was governed by several large city-states including The Vatican (Rome), The Kingdom of Naples (ruled after 1504 by the Spanish), the Republic of Florence, the Duchy of Milan, The Republic of Genoa, the Duchy of Savoy (Torino) and Sardinia among others. Due to the different independent city-states the art and architecture from each region was in fact quite different and should be noted as such rather than being thought of as one overall "Italian" style.
The three hundred year period known as the Renaissance (the rebirth of classical arts and humanities) can be further broken into several chronological periods. Contemporary writer Giorgio Vasari conceived of the Trecento, Quattrocento and Cinquecento to describe the 1300's, 1400's and 1500's and I find that terminology useful as well as a way to describe the artistic differences between the early, middle and later periods.
Here then is our Short Guide to the Entire History of Italian Renaissance Painting:
Early Renaissance/Trecento (the 1300's)
Virgin Enthroned with Angels, Cimabue, The Ognissanti Madonna, Giotto,
c-1290-95,tempera on panel, Louvre 1306-10, tempera on panel, Uffizi
The art of the Trecento is considered to be Medieval by some scholars and the start of the Renaissance by others. The purpose of art at this time was primarily to teach Christianity and Biblical stories and was primarily found in churches. Paintings typically used egg tempera on wood panels, the egg yolk was used as a binder for loose pigments. This method was later supplanted by using oil such as linseed oil as a binder but egg tempera is still used today.
The background was a thin sheet of gold leaf carefully pressed on a thin surface of "bole" which was a red clay. This helped the gold adhere to the panel and also helped it have a warm color.
The idea of realism wasn't important as it would be later, the purpose of these devotional panels was to both teach people of Christianity and help the faithful reflect on God, Christ, Mary, Saints and Angels. Trecento devotional paintings were influenced by Eastern Orthodox Icon paintings.
The idea of realism wasn't important as it would be later, the purpose of these devotional panels was to both teach people of Christianity and help the faithful reflect on God, Christ, Mary, Saints and Angels. Trecento devotional paintings were influenced by Eastern Orthodox Icon paintings.
Giotto di Bondone is considered by many to be the father of the Renaissance, compare his more realistic Madonna on the right with that of his master Cimabue. Giotto started including individual expressions and a sense of perspective to his painting style.
Lamentation of Christ, Giotto, c-1305
fresco, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua
Giotto's new use of realism can best be seen in his two major cycles of frescoes, one at the church of St. Francis of Assisi and the other at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. The art of fresco was the most difficult painting method. It involved adding pigment to fresh plaster, when it dried it would be permanently sealed. Its permanence was attractive, that and it's ability to cover much more space than a devotional panel is what caused this type of painting to be so popular in the Renaissance.
Look at an example of Giotto's fresco above, the new naturalistic style became extremely popular. Giotto moved away from the Iconographic portrayal of religious figures to depict each individual and his images were quite powerful. His style was influential upon other artists, such as the Sienese painter Simone Martini, for the rest of the century.
Christ Carrying the Cross, Simone Martini, tempera on panel, 1333, The Louvre
The Renaissance had begun, in art as well as in the sciences and humanities. However due to wars and plagues the artistic inventions of the Renaissance waned for a time until the early 1400's.
Middle Renaissance/Quatrocento (the 1400's)
One of the things that sets Italian Renaissance Quattrocento art apart from earlier art is the use of perspective to add depth and realism. Sculptor and architect Filippo Brunelleschi carefully observed art and ancient Roman architecture and through his observations developed the modern system of single point perspective using a vanishing point. The first painter to incorporate this new style was Masaccio in his St. Peter fresco cycle in Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence done around 1425 (see example below).
One of the things that sets Italian Renaissance Quattrocento art apart from earlier art is the use of perspective to add depth and realism. Sculptor and architect Filippo Brunelleschi carefully observed art and ancient Roman architecture and through his observations developed the modern system of single point perspective using a vanishing point. The first painter to incorporate this new style was Masaccio in his St. Peter fresco cycle in Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence done around 1425 (see example below).
The Tribute Money, Masaccio, 1425, fresco, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence
This new perspective allowed multiple figures to occupy a space and not seem stacked on top of each other as in older paintings (compare Masaccio with Cimabue's Madonna). Figures sat in different points on a plane and lines within architecture all converged at the same point in space. Examples of both can be seen in Masaccio's fresco The Tribute Money.
egg tempera on wood panel, Uffizi
Other hallmarks of the Quattrocento (or middle Renaissance) use of perspective are a clear foreground, middle ground and background within a painting. The colors in the background would be faded and grayish in tone. To add the sense of a background many artists such as Lippi (above) would set up a portraiture scene with a window in the background so that the viewer could see a landscape outside. Madonnas and other figures were painted using life models rather than copying older painting or sculptures.
Oculus from the Camera degli Sposi (wedding chamber), Andrea Mantegna, 1465-74
fresco, Palazzo Ducale, Mantua, Italy
Andrea Mantegna from the Veneto region is thought as being the first painter to develop foreshortening in his paintings. A good example can be seen above in the small fresco used to decorate the ceiling of the wedding chamber of the Ducal Palace in Mantua.
The figures and perspective have been altered to create a convincing illusion of depth when seen from below. The surface they have been painted on is flat but due to the use of foreshortening appears to continue upward. In Italian there is an expression for this "di sotto in su" which means to be seen from below upwards and this idea began to be incorporated into painting, sculpture and architecture.
The figures and perspective have been altered to create a convincing illusion of depth when seen from below. The surface they have been painted on is flat but due to the use of foreshortening appears to continue upward. In Italian there is an expression for this "di sotto in su" which means to be seen from below upwards and this idea began to be incorporated into painting, sculpture and architecture.
Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter, Perugino, 1481-82, fresco
Sistine Chapel walls, Vatican, Rome
This period in the Renaissance is also noted for its sense of perfect harmony and proportion, again this harmony was used in painting, sculpture and architecture as well as music and writing. Art was symmetrical and balanced, look at the example above by Perugino. Here the artist uses a balance of shape, form, color and movement.
Landscapes and figures were idealized and beauty in all things was emphasized. Common forms and shapes were circles, domes, squares, rounded arches, triangular compositions and a floor or ground which had lines or a grid which went back in space to emphasize the new perspective. Perugino was from the city of Perugia in the Umbrian region and was one of the teachers of Raphael who acquired his master's sense of harmony.
The Birth of Venus, Alessandro Botticelli, 1486, egg tempera on canvas, Uffizi
For centuries Christian art and artists shunned the arts and literature of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations as being pagan or heathen. However the Renaissance is so described as it was a "rebirth" of Classical ideas. The knowledge of the ancients was once again revered and art now reflected the combination of Christian values with Classical knowledge. A good example of this can be seen in Botticelli's well know painting The Birth of Venus.
There are many theories as to the exact message in this work, but at this time we now see a turning towards Classical mythology for the first time in centuries.
As it states in the book Gardner’s Art Through the Ages:
“The conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453 caused an exodus of Greek scholars, many of whom fled to Italy, bringing knowledge of ancient Greece to feed the avid interest in Classical art, literature and philosophy. The same conquest closed the Mediterranean making it necessary to fine new routes to the East. Thus began the age of navigation, discovery and exploration.”
Note- for more information of Brunelleschi, Ghiberti and the Beginnings of the Renaissance read my earlier blog post on the subject.
*Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Concise History. Wadsworth Publishing; 2nd edition (April 15, 2008). pg. 246.
Art of the High Renaissance (1490-1520)
I will start by saying that there were dozens of well known and influential painters during what has come to be known as the High Renaissance. However since this is my "short guide" which is already lengthy I will focus on the most famous three: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti and Raphael di Sanzio. Such was their fame that they are today commonly called by their first names rather than their last names.
A short list of some of other influential painters of the High Renaissance includes: Antonio da Correggio, Luca Signorelli, Giorgio Vasari, Giovanni Bellini, Fra Bartolomeo, Lorenzo Lotto, Andrea del Sarto and Jacopo Bassano. One of the hallmarks of the time was the fact that artists were so prolific during this period.
However Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael all achieved great fame in their own lifetimes as being masters of painting and it is easy to see why. Each made huge progress within the arts, let's discuss some examples below.
A short list of some of other influential painters of the High Renaissance includes: Antonio da Correggio, Luca Signorelli, Giorgio Vasari, Giovanni Bellini, Fra Bartolomeo, Lorenzo Lotto, Andrea del Sarto and Jacopo Bassano. One of the hallmarks of the time was the fact that artists were so prolific during this period.
However Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael all achieved great fame in their own lifetimes as being masters of painting and it is easy to see why. Each made huge progress within the arts, let's discuss some examples below.
Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) Leonardo da Vinci, 1503-19
Oil paint on poplar panel
Giovanna Tornabuoni, Ghirlandaio, 1489-90
tempera on panel, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
I personally adore the egg tempera portraits of the quattrocento age such as the one by Ghirlandaio (above). I think the colors appear jewel like and the primitive style is charming, this style of portraiture was quite popular. The portrait in profile was influenced by having ones portrait on coins and medals, however it wasn't the most realistic view.
Let's compare it to the Mona Lisa which was painted less then 15 years later, the use of oil paint gives the work a richness that cannot be achieved with egg tempera. Seen side by side Leonardo's painting looks almost like a photograph, he uses the more realistic 3/4 view of his sitter. He also pioneered "chiaroscuro" which used light and dark to model form rather than using flatter outlines. His technique of "sfumato" was to create painting with many thin glazes or layers of oil paint rather than the bright and flat washes of egg tempera.
He also used perspective convincingly and chose to focus on the character and personality of each figure in his composition. Leonardo is considered a genius and ultimate Renaissance man, however since he worked on so many engineering projects he produced few paintings.
The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo, 1508-12, fresco, Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican
Michelangelo considered himself above all a sculptor, but his paintings also changed the direction of art at this time. He was a rival of Leonardo but each also had an influence upon each other. He was also a Renaissance man and worked at architecture and poetry as well, he only painted a few works....but what works they were, his Sistine Chapel frescoes have influenced generations of artists.
Michelangelo's great breakthrough in art was his use of convincing and realistic human figures. He studied anatomy, drew frequently from the model and even dissected corpses in order to better understand muscles and bone structure. Look carefully at the samples from his fresco cycle to see how he changed the way the figure was portrayed.
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The Lybian Sybil, Michelangeo, 1508-12 fresco, Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican |
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La Donna Velata, Raphael, 1514-15, oil on canvas Palatine Gallery, Palazzo Pitti |
Raphael was considered a child prodigy when it came to painting, he captured the perfect harmony of his master Perugino, combined it with the new realistic painting techniques of Leonardo and added the dynamic force of Michelangelo to create a beautiful painting style all his own.
Unlike the other two masters of the High Renaissance Raphael painted many, many paintings. He painted more paintings in his short life (Raphael died on his 37th birthday) than Leonardo and Michelangelo combined. He painted both fresco and on canvas with oils and continued to enhance and reinvent his style.
The death of Raphael in 1520 signaled the end of the High Renaissance.
Unlike the other two masters of the High Renaissance Raphael painted many, many paintings. He painted more paintings in his short life (Raphael died on his 37th birthday) than Leonardo and Michelangelo combined. He painted both fresco and on canvas with oils and continued to enhance and reinvent his style.
The death of Raphael in 1520 signaled the end of the High Renaissance.
The Late Renaissance/Cinquecento (the 1500's)
The Tempest, Giorgione, 1508,oil on canvas
The Accademia Gallery, Venice
The Accademia Gallery, Venice
The later part of the Renaissance was dominated by the Venetian School of painting. The Venetian school also included many talented artists but I will focus on three: Titian, Paolo Veronese and Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti). The rivalry and influence between the three artists is reminiscent of the masters of the High Renaissance.
There are a few things to keep in mind with the Venetian school. First is that unlike the Florentine and Roman painters the Venetians were using primarily oil on canvas. The art of fresco painting didn't work as well with the dampness that Venice had. This led to new painting methods and techniques as the method for fresco and for oil on canvas is completely different.
The Florentines focused on design and drawing while the Venetians focused on the richness of color that was available with the medium of oil paint. Also the Venetians had a wider variety of pigments at their disposal because they were a major trading port- THE major trading port of Europe at that point and so many pigments came from other areas, Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, cinnabar from China, etc.
The Venetians were known for using sensuality in art, including the use of the female nude which wasn't as popular before. Perhaps that is due to the fact that the patronage had shifted from churches and the pope to individual wealthy patrons and ruling families.
There are a few things to keep in mind with the Venetian school. First is that unlike the Florentine and Roman painters the Venetians were using primarily oil on canvas. The art of fresco painting didn't work as well with the dampness that Venice had. This led to new painting methods and techniques as the method for fresco and for oil on canvas is completely different.
Assumption of the Virgin, Titian, 1516-18, oil on canvas
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice
The Venetians were known for using sensuality in art, including the use of the female nude which wasn't as popular before. Perhaps that is due to the fact that the patronage had shifted from churches and the pope to individual wealthy patrons and ruling families.
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| Venus of Urbino, Titian, 1538, oil on canvas, Uffizi Gallery |
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| Moses Striking Water from the Rock, Tintoretto, 1577, oil on canvas, Scuola di San Rocco, Venice |
Part of the change in technique was that they didn't start out on a white background; especially Tintoretto used very dark backgrounds and built up layers of highlights. Their technique is referred to as indirect painting as they use many washes and glazes of thin color to build up their final images. Another change was the addition of dramatic approaches to painting, gone are the perfect harmony and Renaissance proportions (such as Perugino’s fresco shown above) and they are replaced by dramatic and asymmetrical compositions (such as Titian's Madonna).
Feast in the House of Levi, Veronese, 1571-73, oil on canvas, Accademia Gallery, Venice
The Venetians also had as patrons the churches in Venice and the Veneto (not as much with the papal rulers) and the Doge of Venice too. This time period in art coincided with the Counter-Reformation so a lot of the art is very Catholic. Veronese's huge painting Feast in the House of Levi was really a Last Supper but he was brought to trial in front of a judge to explain it as it didn't meet the Counter Reformations new codes for religious painting. Veronese had worked for a few years on it, so he gave it a new title and modified the scene to fit with that.
While the Renaissance did continue after this time, the new style of Baroque was ushered in around 1600.
Additional Reading
History of Italian Renaissance Art, Painting∙Sculpture∙Architecture, Frederick Hartt and David Wilkins. Prentice Hall, 2010.
The Lives of the Artists (Oxford World's Classics) by Giorgio Vasari. Translated from Italian by Julia Conway Bondanella and Peter Bondanella. Oxford University Press, 1998.
Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling, Ross King. Penguin, 2003.
Do Women Benefit Best from Gender-Responsive Drug Rehab Treatment?
Do women require different drug treatment programs than men? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHA) that might not be such a bad idea.
SAMHA has developed a new treatment protocol targeting female addicts called Substance Abuse Treatment has been focusing on gender specific research and best practices in substance abuse treatment. Their new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) focuses on providing effective, modern treatment options for women recovering from drug addiction.
What Does Gender-Responsive Drug Rehab Treatment Involve?
The TIP provides important clinical and administrative information to help drug treatment personnel including program administrators, counselors and clinical supervisors apply the best treatment options and strategies based on the specific treatment needs of female patients. It also provides a guide to additional resource material if more information on the topic is needed.
According to TIP, women respond best when drug rehab treatment is comprehensive involving the different aspects of their lives from a social and environmental standpoint while also addressing their relationships with immediate family members, extended family, friends and other support networks. Research has also shown that women in treatment experience more positive outcomes when their treatment program includes supportive therapy, onsite childcare and children’s services and other such treatment services.
Female Addiction Patterns Revealed
Many women report stress and troubled relationships as major triggers that can initiate early drug use. A large majority of women who use drugs are grappling with relationships, issues surrounding relationship status or have a partner who abuses drugs . Even though studies show that more men abuse drugs than women, it also reveals that women are just as likely to develop and addiction after experimenting.
One problem that must be addressed in regards to female drug use is the issue of using while pregnant. Using/abusing drugs while pregnant can cause serious harm to the unborn child. TIP encourages mandatory screening for substance abuse as part of prenatal care.
Treating Addiction and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
Women needing drug rehab treatment are more likely than men to also have diagnosed mental disorders such as eating disorders, post partum depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress and other mood disorders. When mental disorders go untreated, it significantly increases the chances for relapse. It is important to continue treating any known mental disorders in addition to providing a drug rehab treatment program to provide the best chance at a successful recovery.
SAMHA has developed a new treatment protocol targeting female addicts called Substance Abuse Treatment has been focusing on gender specific research and best practices in substance abuse treatment. Their new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) focuses on providing effective, modern treatment options for women recovering from drug addiction.
What Does Gender-Responsive Drug Rehab Treatment Involve?
The TIP provides important clinical and administrative information to help drug treatment personnel including program administrators, counselors and clinical supervisors apply the best treatment options and strategies based on the specific treatment needs of female patients. It also provides a guide to additional resource material if more information on the topic is needed.
According to TIP, women respond best when drug rehab treatment is comprehensive involving the different aspects of their lives from a social and environmental standpoint while also addressing their relationships with immediate family members, extended family, friends and other support networks. Research has also shown that women in treatment experience more positive outcomes when their treatment program includes supportive therapy, onsite childcare and children’s services and other such treatment services.
Female Addiction Patterns Revealed
Many women report stress and troubled relationships as major triggers that can initiate early drug use. A large majority of women who use drugs are grappling with relationships, issues surrounding relationship status or have a partner who abuses drugs . Even though studies show that more men abuse drugs than women, it also reveals that women are just as likely to develop and addiction after experimenting.
One problem that must be addressed in regards to female drug use is the issue of using while pregnant. Using/abusing drugs while pregnant can cause serious harm to the unborn child. TIP encourages mandatory screening for substance abuse as part of prenatal care.
Treating Addiction and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
Women needing drug rehab treatment are more likely than men to also have diagnosed mental disorders such as eating disorders, post partum depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress and other mood disorders. When mental disorders go untreated, it significantly increases the chances for relapse. It is important to continue treating any known mental disorders in addition to providing a drug rehab treatment program to provide the best chance at a successful recovery.
Rodin's The Thinker
I recently visited San Francisco and went to the Legion of Honor Museum. I saw many wonderful works of art but was really happy to get to see one of the bronze casts of Auguste Rodin's The Thinker. This sculpture has been cast in bronze nearly 25 times and those works are located in a variety of museums and parks throughout the world. In addition there have also been several smaller versions of the sculpture cast in materials other than bronze.
I personally have also seen Rodin's The Thinker at the Rodin Museum in Paris and the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia and every time I am struck by this profoundly beautiful work.
I personally have also seen Rodin's The Thinker at the Rodin Museum in Paris and the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia and every time I am struck by this profoundly beautiful work.
This is probably the most famous of all of Rodin's sculptures, an image synonymous with the sculptor himself.
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). The Thinker, 1903. Cast bronze, Rodin Museum in Paris
The sculpture was intended to portray the great 14th century Italian author and poet Dante Alighieri. However it has now been transformed by those who observe it to represent a man in thought, or the idea of the thoughts of humanity. It was originally called The Poet to refer to Dante.
Rodin undertook an enormous project to create a set of doors for the French Decorative Arts Museum in Paris and the theme for this was the Gates of Hell from Dante's Inferno (from his Divine Comedy), the author's imaginings on hell and afterlife. Another of Rodin's most famous sculptures, The Kiss, also represents characters from Dante's Inferno, the star crossed lovers Francesca and Paolo.
Like The Thinker or many of Rodin's other bronze sculptures, The Gates of Hell has also been cast many times. A detail is shown above with The Thinker at the top in the tympanum of the door looking down upon everything. The entire sculptural work contains 180 figures and this version of The Thinker is much smaller than the more well known over life size work.
This sculpture is a good example of the naturalism that Rodin was famous for. Take a minute to carefully observe this figure, his muscles, bones and facial expressions are all taken straight from life and nothing is idealized or over dramatized as some works of art were at this time.
Rodin undertook an enormous project to create a set of doors for the French Decorative Arts Museum in Paris and the theme for this was the Gates of Hell from Dante's Inferno (from his Divine Comedy), the author's imaginings on hell and afterlife. Another of Rodin's most famous sculptures, The Kiss, also represents characters from Dante's Inferno, the star crossed lovers Francesca and Paolo.
Rodin, The Gates of Hell, 1917, one of the three original bronze casts
Rodin Sculpture National Museum of Western Art Ueno Taito-ku Tokyo Japan
Like The Thinker or many of Rodin's other bronze sculptures, The Gates of Hell has also been cast many times. A detail is shown above with The Thinker at the top in the tympanum of the door looking down upon everything. The entire sculptural work contains 180 figures and this version of The Thinker is much smaller than the more well known over life size work.
This sculpture is a good example of the naturalism that Rodin was famous for. Take a minute to carefully observe this figure, his muscles, bones and facial expressions are all taken straight from life and nothing is idealized or over dramatized as some works of art were at this time.
Auguste Rodin (French, 1840–1917). The Thinker, 1904. Cast bronze
Gift of Alma de Bretteville Spreckels
Dante is portrayed as being deep in thought in this contemplative pose. Depending on the sources that I have read over he is either meant to be shown thinking about what he is about to write, what he has written, the fate of those in hell (since it was conceived as a part of The Gates of Hell from Dante's Inferno) or the fate of mankind. It is certainly possible that he could be thinking about all of those ideas.
Your Art History Blogger in front of Rodin's The Thinker at the Legion of Honor
There are several other works and artists which have been said to have inspired Rodin. Rodin was influenced quite a bit by the muscular nudes of Michelangelo such as can be seen below from a section of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling. The athletic male nudes that surround each larger fresco have come to be called "ignudi" and the poses of the various ignudi inspired Rodin. The particular seated pose could also have been inspired by Michelangelo's figure of Lorenzo de'Medici from the Medici family tomb in San Lorenzo in Florence.
Another source of inspiration was said to have come from the French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's statue of Ugolino. Ugolino was another character from the Inferno and he met his end by starving to death while imprisoned.
Rodin had spoken frequently of his debt to Michelangelo's work. During his lifetime he traveled to Florence and had visited the Casa Buonarroti which is a museum honoring the Renaissance master.
Another source of inspiration was said to have come from the French sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's statue of Ugolino. Ugolino was another character from the Inferno and he met his end by starving to death while imprisoned.
Rodin had spoken frequently of his debt to Michelangelo's work. During his lifetime he traveled to Florence and had visited the Casa Buonarroti which is a museum honoring the Renaissance master.
God Separating Darkness and Light, Michelangelo
Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican, 1508-12
Ugolino, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1867-1869) Petit Palais, Paris
Gift of Louise Clément-Carpeaux, daughter of the artist, 1938
In addition to The Thinker, which sits outside in the entrance courtyard, The Legion of Honor has a gallery devoted to the beautiful sculptures of Auguste Rodin. I recommend that anyone who is visiting San Francisco should take a tour through this museum.
Suggested Reading:
Fergonzi, Flavio. Miaria Mimita Lamberti, Pina Ragionieri and Christopher Riopelle. Rodin and Michelangelo, A study in Artistic Inspiration. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1996.
Suggested Reading:
Fergonzi, Flavio. Miaria Mimita Lamberti, Pina Ragionieri and Christopher Riopelle. Rodin and Michelangelo, A study in Artistic Inspiration. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1996.
Choose the Best Drug Rehab Center
The decision of choosing the right drug rehab center can be a daunting task as you need to choose the center wherein you can get enough support and care to overcome the habit of excess intake of drugs. The purpose of selecting of drug rehabilitation center is to get vital support in the systematic way to get over drug habits within few months. Hence, it is a crucial decision for everyone who is looking for speedy recovery in order to return to the normal lifestyle.
The bets way to choose your treatment center is analyzing your problem in detail. It helps in giving a fair idea of what you are looking for. Once you know what you want, it is easier for you to select the bets possible treatment within your preferred area. Nowadays, many people are going to rehabilitation to seek proper treatment of their problems. Resultantly, a number of special treatment centers are available for people who need serious help.
To make the bets choice, you can personally go and visit centers and inquire about their programs.
Ask questions about the relevancy of methodologies to be adopted by these centers. Obviously, budget is an important factor that you can't afford to overlook while selecting the right drug rehab center. In addition, you can gather information by talking to people who have already undergone programs offered by a center and get the best possible treatment matching to your needs.However, while searching for a treatment center, one has to inquire about the professional skills and support systems of the chosen center. It is because of the fact that the success of support systems and skills contribute a lot to the success of the treatment program.
Sculpting David: Donatello and Michelangelo
The young figure of King David, as represented in the Biblical story of David and Goliath is frequently represented throughout art history. Perhaps no representation is as well known as Michelangelo's sculpture of David in Florence.
David, Michelangelo, marble, 1501-1504, Accademia Gallery, Florence
photo- © Rico Heil / public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Michelangelo won a contest to carve the figure of David out of a block of marble that had been worked on more than 50 years earlier possibly by Donatello or a member of his workshop. At that time the marble was said to have had a flaw in it and the project was abandoned. Michelangelo however was very excited to have the opportunity to now carve from it. He was just starting out in his career and only 26 years old when he began this piece.
The subject of David and Goliath was a popular one, and at this time in history it was commissioned to represent the city of Florence. Florence was a small city and could be seen as the smaller "David" winning battles with several different "Goliaths." France had taken control of the Duchy of Milan in 1494 and then the French army marched to Florence, however Florence was able to negotiate for peace instead of captivity. The famous influential Medici family was exiled from Florence when Lorenzo's son Piero II rose to power, before the Florentines created their peace treaty with France he surrendered the main fortress of Tuscany to avoid war. The Florentines were enraged and the Medici were exiled for nearly 20 years.
In the 1490's the Domenican monk Savonarola had wielded much power over the Florentines and preached that the new arts and humanism of the Renaissance would bring down the city. He staged several huge bonfires known as "Bonfires of the Vanities" in which art, books, furniture, clothing, jewelry and anything he considered a luxury were burned. He was burned at the stake in Florence in 1498 after being excommunicated by the Pope.
As Florence faced the French army, the Medici and Savonarola and kept coming out ahead the symbol of the boy David facing the giant Goliath had an extra layer of symbolism and came to represent the pride they had in their republic.
Michelangelo's David is different in that he chose to depict the moment before David kills the giant Goliath. He isn't afraid at all, he is shown with complete confidence as he faces his much larger foe and knows for certain that he will emerge the victor. The symbolism here is that Florence emerged as victorious several times from large threats in the 1490's and would again in the years to come.
Michelangelo's close study of human anatomy (including dissecting corpses to learn more about bones and muscles) can be seen here in what has come to be thought of as the perfect example of the human form.
Giorgio Vasari was a contemporary of Michelangelo and an artist himself, but is known best for his comprehensive biography of all the Italian Renaissance artists, known as Lives of the Artists. In this book he tells a story about Michelangelo and his sculpture of David (paraphrased from pgs 427-428):
As he was finishing the statue Piero Soderini who was the Gonfaloniere (one of the highest posts in the Florentine government) stopped by and said that he really liked the David but that the nose was too big and that Michelangelo should chisel it down to make it smaller. Michelangelo had no intention of changing the finished David but also thought that Soderini was looking at it from the wrong angle. He climbed a ladder with a handful of marble dust and his chisel and pretended to chisel as he threw the dust around.
When he asked him what he thought now Soderini said, "I like it better, you've made it come alive."
David, Donatello, bronze, c-1430, National Bargello Museum, Florence
photo- © Patrick A. Rodgers / public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This wasn't the first time that Donatello had sculpted the David, but this sculpture was a departure from his earlier two. The others were both done in marble showing a young clothed boy, the first was created in 1408-09 and the second was begun around 1412 and was left unfinished.
In fact Donatello's 1430 bronze David was a departure from any contemporary figurative sculpture, being the first life-size nude created since antiquity. This was done when Donatello was well established in his career and was commissioned by the extremely influential Cosimo de'Medici.
Donatello has sculpted a "Triumphant David" in that he showed him after he has already killed Goliath and his foot rests upon the giant's severed head. He is sculpted after the battle between the two. The sculpture was meant to stand in the round, many of Donatello's works were created for niches but this was meant to be seen from all sides. He has sculpted him in a contrapposto pose, a term which refers to the naturalistic way in which a human figure is shown with weight distributed to one hip and how the rest of the body shifts in relation to that. Michelangelo drew on this type of contrapposto pose when he created his David as well.
Let's compare these two famous sculptures of David side by side:
Both look towards the ancient classical examples found in Greek or Roman sculpture and Michelangelo was also influenced by all the work of Donatello who he considered a great master sculptor. Donatello's earlier version was created over 70 years earlier and was inspired by the ancient art he saw on his trip to Rome (discussed further in an older post on the Beginnings of the Renaissance.)
There is a great difference in size between the two: Donatello's stands at 6 feet tall (185 cm) while Michelangelo's is over twice it's size at 13 feet, 5 inches tall (411 cm). Another big difference in the way they were constructed, Donatello modeled his figure in clay and then had it cast in bronze. This was technically very difficult, after it was sculpted it would be covered in wax which would eventually be melted out when molten bronze was poured into the mold made from it. Michelangelo carved his David from a huge block of marble.
As stated earlier Michelangelo shows the moment before David slays Goliath, where Donatello shows a scene after the battle. Both were revolutionary works of art that changed the direction of sculpture that came after them.
Looking For Cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers?
Addition is a curse affecting millions of people all around the world. It is such a serious problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible otherwise the treatment may become very challenging. No matter how hard some people may try, they never seem to be getting over this habit. Personal efforts often do not help addicts to overcome this problem.
For this reason, there are many Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres, which help people to get of this problem and lead a normal life. Although, it is true that personal resolution of giving up addiction plays a vital role, yet professional assistance is something which greatly helps the addicts to get over this clingy problem. However, many people do not opt for professional assistance such as Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres as they are very costly.
Since most people cannot afford to pay for the treatment, therefore they do not even consider Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres for their treatments.
Well, the good news is that there are some cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres which can help you overcome addition in a cost effective way.The most affordable Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics are those which work under non-profit organisations. As they are basically helping people to come over this problem than to make money, they are much cheaper as compared to other Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics. Government runs many of these cheap rehab centres and some are private wishing to make a difference in the life of unfortunate people. So, if you cannot afford a costly Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre, go for one of these. Addition is a curse affecting millions of people all around the world. It is such a serious problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible otherwise the treatment may become very challenging. No matter how hard some people may try, they never seem to be getting over this habit. Personal efforts often do not help addicts to overcome this problem.
For this reason, there are many Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres, which help people to get of this problem and lead a normal life. Although, it is true that personal resolution of giving up addiction plays a vital role, yet professional assistance is something which greatly helps the addicts to get over this clingy problem. However, many people do not opt for professional assistance such as Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres as they are very costly.
Since most people cannot afford to pay for the treatment, therefore they do not even consider Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres for their treatments. Well, the good news is that there are some cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centres which can help you overcome addition in a cost effective way.
The most affordable Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics are those which work under non-profit organisations. As they are basically helping people to come over this problem than to make money, they are much cheaper as compared to other Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics. Government runs many of these cheap rehab centres and some are private wishing to make a difference in the life of unfortunate people. So, if you cannot afford a costly Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre, go for one of these.
These non-profit organisations are present in all parts of the world. You will easily be able to locate one in your city or in its vicinity. One thing you need to bear in mind is that the Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre you opt for ought to be worthwhile. It should have highly efficient and professional staff that can help you in true sense.
There are also some Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics, which may be cheap but are also substandard as well. As your health and well-being is the most essential thing, you must not put it at risk by opting for cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics which can't do good to you.
As a matter of fact, such Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment Clinics may do more harm than good to you. For this reason, bear in mind that quality cannot be sacrificed for the sake of saving some money. So, opt for the cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment Clinics which have efficient staff and quality services and treatment.
In case you fail to find a cheap and worth considering Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre, it is better to spend your money on some worthwhile centre as there is nothing like getting over your addiction. In fact, a quality Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre can give you a new life. So if you find a cheap one, well and good, if not, go for the costly one which can take you out of the addiction in an efficient manner.
These non-profit organisations are present in all parts of the world. You will easily be able to locate one in your city or in its vicinity. One thing you need to bear in mind is that the Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre you opt for ought to be worthwhile. It should have highly efficient and professional staff that can help you in true sense.
There are also some Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics, which may be cheap but are also substandard as well. As your health and well-being is the most essential thing, you must not put it at risk by opting for cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Clinics which can't do good to you.
As a matter of fact, such Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment Clinics may do more harm than good to you. For this reason, bear in mind that quality cannot be sacrificed for the sake of saving some money. So, opt for the cheap Drug & Alcohol Rehab Treatment Clinics which have efficient staff and quality services and treatment.
In case you fail to find a cheap and worth considering Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre, it is better to spend your money on some worthwhile centre as there is nothing like getting over your addiction. In fact, a quality Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre can give you a new life. So if you find a cheap one, well and good, if not, go for the costly one which can take you out of the addiction in an efficient manner.
An Overview of Electric Guitar History
The Majority of the musical genres depend heavily on the use of electric guitars. There are many types of these instruments available. These instruments were developed just 70 years back (the 1930's) by Adolph Rickenbacker. From that period, these guitars have significantly advanced to the level where it's today. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the electric guitar history.
The Brief History
The earliest electric guitars included smaller sound holes in their body. These types of instruments are classified as semi hollow body and still they are fairly popular nowadays, mainly because of the reason that they're of flexible models.
By making use of pick-ups, it was capable to make guitars with no sound holes (just like the Classical and Acoustic guitars) if connected to the guitar amplifiers. These models are known as solid-body.
The electric guitar's recognition started to increase over the Big-Band era of the 1930's and 1940's. Because of the high magnitude of sound of the brass sections in jazz musical groups, there was a need for guitars that can be heard over the sections. These instruments, with the capability to be connected to amplifiers, filled up this void.
The most common instrument these days was the solid body. This instrument was found by an inventor and musician, Les Paul in the year 1941. It was a guitar made out of solid wood with no sound-holes. The original solid body instrument developed by Paul was fairly simple - it was a rectangle shaped block of solid wood attached to a neck together with 6 steel guitar strings. Les Paul's original solid-body guitar appearance has, not surprisingly, changed from the primary rectangular design to a round design Les Paul guitars.
Gibson presented Les Paul's design to the public in the year 1958. This model was called as 'The Gibson Les Paul' and it rapidly grew to become a very famous instrument. It's remained the most famous instrument for fifty years.
Around the same time period, another inventor called Leo Fender found a solid-body electric guitar of his very own. During the 1940's, Fender released the Fender-Broadcaster electric guitar. This model was re-named the Strato-caster, was officially brought to the general public in the year 1954. The Strat, as it's now called, was completely a different guitar in comparison with Les Paul's. The Strat had a distinct shape as well as hardware and it was very lighter in weight. Fender's Strato-caster electric guitar is the 2nd most in-demand instrument, next to the Les Paul.
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