First, what are your reflections on Plato's writing about art and artists?
Next, Read your "Schematic Structure of the Artist's Biography" and your biography of Giotto by Vasari handouts. Look for aspects of Giotto's bio that correspond to the "Schematic Structure" and say why you think these could be seen as necessary parts of an artist's biography. What kind of person is Giotto in this narrative? What does his personality have to do with being an artist?
Your posts are due by 12:00 AM, Tuesday, 8/31.
After viewing Plato’s beliefs on art and artists, through the conversation between Socrates and Glaucon, I noticed that their views of art and creation are contradictory. In Book X, they believe that God is the creator of all things, and that a carpenter is also a creator because he is building objects and not imitating objects like a painter does. They state that “and a painter too is, as I conceive, just such another- a creator of appearances, is he not(2)?” The example they use is of a painter creating a bed, he is not making a real bed, he is simply copying from the creator of the bed. However in Ion, Plato is nearly praising the works of artists and the inspiration that they receive from God. Ion agrees with Socrates, saying “ I am persuaded that good poets by a divine inspiration interpret the things of Gods to us (537)”.
ReplyDeleteVasari’s biography of Giotto follows the guidelines of “Schematic Structure of the Artist’s Biography” with the only exception of his death. Vasari begins his essay by telling the reader that he was born to a simple peasant, which falls in the schematic structure under birth and family lineage. Vasari then describes stages of his life and signs of early promise according to the schematic structure worksheet. Vasari’s focus then shifts on Cimabue who is a recognized artist, who taught Giotto, believing that Giotto “ brought back to life the true art of painting, introducing the drawing from nature of living persons (1)”. This description falls into the youth category of the schematic structure and recognition by an artistic authority. Vasari then details the works that Giotto did, which includes painting frescoes in various churches and having his work sought after for St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Benedict. Giotto was called a very talented artist, being compared to the great artists of that time. Vasari does not go into detail of Giotto’s death or the fate of his works, it can be argued that perhaps Vasari didn’t believe that he needed to include this details. A possibility could be that Vasari predicted that Giotto would be known for his work for centuries to come so he didn’t need to write about the fate of his works. Following the “Schematic Structure” a writer is able to form descriptions of the artist’s life. Most artists have talents at a very young age, by describing their skill the reader is able to get an overall history of the artist. Personally I believe that the schematic structure is a necessary tool because it gives the reader an easy and thorough way to follow an artist’s life and to see how they became the great master of art that they were during their time.