Know your classics

Trends & styles - chapter 1

Which painting has been reproduced in more than 3,000 advertisements?

Mona Lisa

• Close your laptop.

• Discuss the painting with your neigbour: what do you know about her?  

• Reproduce the painting by photographing your neighbour and uploading your photo in the class presentation on Canvas. 

Louvre (Paris), 77 x 53 cm

Analysis

Mona Lisa

• What?

• How?

• Why?

Analysis Mona Lisa

• Portrait painting of a woman; dark hair, dark clothes; veil on her head; landscape behind her.

• -> Looks at the viewer; hands elegantly folded; looks at ease.
  -> Contrast dark-light; 'smokiness'.
  -> Triangular composition. 
  

• Leonardo Da Vinci, Renaissance-style (1503): 
  -> Rebirth of classical ideals;
  nature instead of religion.
  -> Modern woman: directly looking at us.
  

• Mona Lisa with moustache

• Postcard with tape; black & white.

• Marcel Duchamp, L.H.O.O.Q,(1919).
  Dada movement: making fun of art and life; absurdity;
  after World War 1
  

Cardiff's 'Mona Lisa' mural removed for McDonald's ad

Analysis The Last Supper

• 13 men sitting at a long table, all at one side. Man in the middle: 'Here it is'. 12 other men: 'This can't be true'. Building: a church?

• Horizontal mode; soft colours; logical numbers seem to be important (4 and 3). 
  

• Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance-style, (1495-1498):
  -> religion + science
  -> staged! 
  

1) Find examples of relevant advertising
based on one of these classics.
2) Upload them in the class presentation
on Canvas.
3) Mention your full name on the slide.   

Now it's your turn!