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Essay is on Compare and Contrast two Paintings deemed proper art medium that could reach huge proportions of population

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Compare and Contrast two Paintings

Art is an effective medium for communicating with the masses. A good example of such pieces is the Flower Carrier and Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin. Flower Carrier was done in 1935 by Diego Rivera, while the painting of Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin was done in 1938 by Alexander Gerasimov. These two paintings are important in the analysis of art as a means of relaying messages by identifying the culture, themes, and art styles. The two artworks were done in the same art period and also employ realism, in the efforts to send a message to the masses. Therefore, the analysis and comparison of the two pieces is important in the understanding of themes, art styles, and cultural context in art.

Thematic Connection

It is said that art is a reflection of the society. The best pieces of art have a message or reflect what is happening in the society at a particular moment. Art can be used to identify the social, cultural, and political issues present around the time an artwork is done (Kleiner 414). For instance, Flower Carrier is a reflection of the problems peasants were going through prior to the Mexican Revolution. Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin points out the political leaders who were in power when the piece was done. Therefore, art is a key indicator of the cultural, social and political issues affecting a society at a particular time.

Stylistic Analysis

Medium

The artworks were done during a period when modernism had brought with it new art styles like cubism, fauvism, and the use of abstract art. However, in Mexico and Russia, the respective governments had advocated for art styles that could be used to send messages to the public. Even after his exposure in Europe and his encounters with Picasso, Rivera decided he would not take up the developments in art like cubism. He settled on the use of mural paintings, which he felt would be accessed and understood by many people; an aspect he stated should the goal of every artist (Kleiner 414). Rivera was on the forefront in championing for the use of murals and other art for the benefit of the masses (“Mexican Muralism”). After Joseph Stalin took over Russian leadership he encouraged artists to do works that could be unlike the constructivist style would be easily understood and could pass a message to the people. Similar to Flower Carrier, the painting of Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin was done on Masonite to provide for its access to many people (“Flower Carrier”). Despite the modern art styles that had come up, the two artists decided to use traditional styles in their murals for easy access by the public.

Style

The two pieces of art employ realism; an art style that came up in the 1850s that aims to represent what is happening in the society at a particular time. However, Rivera makes use of social realism in his painting while Gerasimov used the socialist realism (“Soviet Realism”). As the former uses his art to depict the struggles that peasants were going through, the latter signifies the totalitarian governance employed by Stalin. The two artworks are different in the type of realism they employ.

Colors

The two paintings have their main figures painted on the forefront and with to make them stand out of the background and be the focal points of the viewers. Rivera uses bold and bright colors on the man, woman and the basket while the background is dull. As opposed to Rivera’s piece, the buildings and factories in the background of Gerasimov's painting can be seen (“Class Module” 2). Gerasimov also does not use bold colors to highlight the two individuals. Despite the two artworks employing realism, they differ in how the background is portrayed.

Cultural Context

Mexican Revolution

The two art pieces were done after the respective nations had gone through hard political times. Flower Carrier was done in 1935, five years after the Mexican Revolution concluded. The mural highlighted the struggles that the peasants had to go through in life and how they rose to fight in the Revolution. The painting of Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin was done after Stalin had taken leadership following a political stalemate that followed the death of Lenin (“Class Module” 2). It is vividly clear that the two artworks were influenced to a huge extent by the political culture present during the time they were done.

Pre-Columbian Mexico

Rivera's artwork is influenced by Pre-Columbian Mexico. Prior to the Mexican Revolution, the Mexicans practised culture referred to as the Pre-Columbian Mexico, which was free from western influence (“Class Module” 1). In this period, peasants were struggling with energy draining work as depicted in the mural. The art is a reflection of what was happening during the Pre-Columbian Mexico era.

Social Realism and Socialist Realism

Social Realism and Socialist Realism were a common phenomenon in the times the respective paintings were done. Social realism was a popular art style in America and Europe and was used to depict social injustices. On the other hand, socialist realism was a popular art style in the Soviet Union between 1932 and 1980, and which was advocated for by the government to glorify communist values (“Soviet Realism”). Flower Carrier highlights the plight of the working class in Mexico prior to the revolution. On the other hand, Gerasimov paints two Russian leaders showing what they have done for the country in the background.

Relevance 

The two pieces of art play a significant role in indicating what was happening in the respective places in the two periods. The two also are also essential in helping other artists learn the importance of making art with the intent of delivering a message. One is also able to get to know how realism is used in highlighting what is happening in a society through the artworks.

Conclusion

The analysis of Flower Carrier by Diego Rivera and the painting of Joseph Stalin and Voroshilov at the Kremlin by Alexander Gerasimov is vital in the understanding of how art is used to send message in its reflection of social, cultural, and political issues in the society. Through realism, the two artists are able to send a message to the masses, which was emphasized by the respective nations. Murals were deemed the proper art medium that could reach huge proportions of populations. Therefore, the two artworks are a good example of how artists should make their pieces for them to be of benefit to the community.

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