Thursday, February 18, 1999

Announcements:

• homework: reading assignment; see T.A.

• there was an actual debate between supporters of Rubens' and Poussin's styles
• controversy began after both of their deaths
• late 17th Century
• members of the French Academy split into two factions
• the main argument: challenged Renaissance ideals that art was rational, calm; that is should be appreciated by the educated
• the Academy had three acceptable styles
• classical (Greek/Roman)
• Raphael (Renaissance)
• Poussin (ordered, rational)
• Rubens, on the other hand, was influenced by Titian for whom color and glazes were very important
• drawing vs. color: lack of distinct lines (drawing) implies movement
• figures do not actually have outlines around them

• subject matter should be great, important
• detail should no intrude
• bold emphasis on subject matter
• should appeal to intellect
• not natural, but theoretical interpretation
• drawing or use of line is most important

• color dominated drawing
• purpose of painting is to deceive the eye--color achieves this
• drawing represents only part of the truth
• color represents truth
• color appeals to everyone (need not be educated, intellectual elite); "art for everybody"
• supporters believed that the Academy's blind devotion to the ancients resulted in soulless artists