Religious Dominance in Art essays

Religious Dominance in Art essays The concept of dominance involves a state that exists when one person or group has power or control over another. This same notion can be applied to any situation in our lives where one aspect controls or dominants. Throughout history religion has dominated particular cultures and the lives of many artists throughout past centuries. Three pieces of work have been selected to be renamed Dominance. These three pieces share common links and although they are created in different eras, all represent a particular theme and qualities which directly relate to dominance. The three pieces are; William Blake - Satan Arousing the rebel Angels, Giovanni Bellini - San Giobbe and El Greco - El Espolio. William Blakes Satan Arousing the rebel Angels was created in 1808, it depicts Satan among other unclothed men rising from flames into the sky. William Blake was born in London in 1757 and at the age of 13 he was sent to Westminster Abbey to make drawings of tombs and monuments which would later play a part the themes of his work. During the mid 1700s society was full of chauvinism against women and the superiority of men. Through Blakes art he is able to address these issues by reinforcing male dominance. Satan Arousing the rebel Angels Represents strong athletic figures of men who were considered dominant during this period. Their strong physic shown in the painting only refocuses the idea that men were built stronger and should therefore dominate over any other species. William Blake lived during a time of intense social change. The American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution all happened during his lifetime. Satan Arousing the rebel Angels Has obvious religious components which is not surprising considering the dominant religious orientated era in which it was created. It is po ...