what do you fear?
The Scream
Anxiety
Despair
These paintings are incredible outlets for Edvard Munch's bottled up emotions. Despair, Anxiety, and the famous Scream are all depicted on the same bridge where Munch experienced a panic attack. "I was walking along a path with two friends — the sun was setting — suddenly the sky turned blood red — I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence — there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city — my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety — and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature ". In his own words, Munch describes this event with chilling detail. This traumatic event was always present in his mind, and manifested itself into his artwork. An interesting fact about the Norwegian artist is that he suffers from agoraphobia, or the fear of open spaces. This irrational fear influenced his subject matter and his expressive style. The background of the Scream is vast and shifting, showing the terror that he receives from this type of environment. The man standing alone in Despair emanates the true feeling of loneliness. Although others stroll by, the man finds no company on this depressing bridge. Again, the world is flowing uncontrollably behind the man. He takes no notice of it, however, and is stricken with absolute melancholy.
The Crucifixion and the Last Judgment
The Crucifixion and The Last Judgment, respectively.
Artist: Jan van Eyck (Dutch)
Date: 1430
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Source:http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/all/the_crucifixion_the_last_judgment_jan_van_eyck_and_workshop_assistant/objectview_zoom.aspx?page=1&sort=6&sortdir=asc&keyword=last%20judgment&fp=1&dd1=0&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=0&OID=110000722&vT=1&hi=0&ov=0
Artist: Jan van Eyck (Dutch)
Date: 1430
Medium: Oil on canvas.
Source:http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/all/the_crucifixion_the_last_judgment_jan_van_eyck_and_workshop_assistant/objectview_zoom.aspx?page=1&sort=6&sortdir=asc&keyword=last%20judgment&fp=1&dd1=0&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=0&OID=110000722&vT=1&hi=0&ov=0
The Knight, Death, and the Devil
This engraving by Albrecht Durer depicts a Christian knight who is plagued by troubles on his journey. Death is following close behind on a pale horse, and the figure in the back is the Devil. The Devil's temptation is always near and Christians must always fight to resist. This knight stands as a symbol of courage. He does not seem the least bit worried about the evils that follow in his wake. There are corpses on his path and many that lie in his wake as he travels towards his ultimate destination.
The Knight, Death, and the Devil - Albrecht Durer: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/43.106.2
The Fear of Success
The Fear of Success - ToastedGhost
http://ih1.redbubble.net/work.1842884.2.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg
The fear of failure affects almost everyone, and limits their true potential. Only once this fear is overcome can we truly succeed at everything we do. The other aspect to this is the fear of success. Once you are so high up, the fall may be inevitable. Whether climbing the corporate ladder or being a professional athlete, losing your position or skill is devastating. Working to attain these statuses is long and arduous, and it all seems a waste once the success ends.
http://ih1.redbubble.net/work.1842884.2.flat,800x800,070,f.jpg
The fear of failure affects almost everyone, and limits their true potential. Only once this fear is overcome can we truly succeed at everything we do. The other aspect to this is the fear of success. Once you are so high up, the fall may be inevitable. Whether climbing the corporate ladder or being a professional athlete, losing your position or skill is devastating. Working to attain these statuses is long and arduous, and it all seems a waste once the success ends.
Section of the Berlin Wall
This is one of many painted sections of the Berlin Wall. The wall stood as a symbol of oppression and division between a nation. People were not allowed to cross from one side to another, and were even shot during attempts. This section shows the attempts of many East Berliners to get to the west, and how their efforts were often futile. The soviets intimidated the people of East Berlin to stay in the communist controlled area. The people of West Berlin tried to help their fellow Germans, but the Soviets had an iron grip on the city and the rest of East Germany.
- http://www.volumestat.com/2009/11/09/volumesphere-berlin-wall-art-20-years-after-the-fall/
- Artist: anonymous
- http://www.volumestat.com/2009/11/09/volumesphere-berlin-wall-art-20-years-after-the-fall/
- Artist: anonymous
Fear, Courage, Sanctuary
This painting by David Jay Spyker was painted on the basis of overcoming fears. The title speaks for itself while examining the painting. We can see that fear is represented by this dark setting with this storm, but then we see this ladder. That ladder leading into an unknown place is what David Jay Spyker symbolizes as the sanctuary. What he is trying to express is that overcoming fears by the use of courage will eventually lead us to this sanctuary, free of having to fear.
http://www.davidjayspyker.com/site/81/198-fear-courage-sanctuary/
http://www.davidjayspyker.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/spyker-painting-acrylics-fear-courage-sanctuary-1996.jpg
http://www.davidjayspyker.com/site/81/198-fear-courage-sanctuary/
http://www.davidjayspyker.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/spyker-painting-acrylics-fear-courage-sanctuary-1996.jpg
Fear and Faith
In John Lautermilch's Fear and Faith, fear is shown through the old woman's facial expression. In 9th grade, we all learned about how facial expressions and body gestures can display people's emotions. John Lautermilch does a great job in imagining and emphasizing that facial reaction and gesture that we, ourselves, begin to wonder what the lady is so afraid of. The facial expression can even tell us something about what is causing the fear. Looking at her eyes, the fear could be coming from something that is so grotesque that it stuns the lady in disgust. It could be her discovery finding dead bodies or something as simple as a monster. The best thing about this painting is that it allows for many different interpretations of what is being feared and why.
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/fear-and-faith-john-lautermilch.jpg
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fear-and-faith-john-lautermilch.html
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/fear-and-faith-john-lautermilch.jpg
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fear-and-faith-john-lautermilch.html
