Art History: A Critical Analysis of Artworks from 1840 to Post-1945

This essay provides an art history analysis of key artworks from 1840 to the post-1945 era, featuring works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Giacometti, Ana Mendieta, and Nora Heysen. It explores Van Gogh's "Midday Rest" as an example of expressionism, Picasso's "Minotaur Kneeling Over Sleeping Girl" as a precursor to his later Minotaur themes, Giacometti's "The City Square" reflecting post-war gruesomeness, Mendieta's "Tree of Life" embodying female divinity, and Heysen's "Motherhood" depicting maternal protection against war. Each artwork's historical context, artistic techniques, and thematic significance are examined, arguing for their inclusion in the "Two Rivers Gallery". The essay references critical interpretations and provides visual examples in the appendix.

Running head: ART HISTORY
Art History
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Art since 1945: Ana Mendieta, “Tree of Life”, 1977
Ana Mendieta is considered to be one of the most important artists of the world post
1945. In her own opinion, “My art is grounded on the belief in one universal energy which
runs through everything; from insect to man, from man to spectre, from spectre to plant, from
plant to galaxy” (Gallery et al). The “Tree of Life” or "Arbol de la Vida" completed by her in
the year 1977 is one of her most significant works and in this particular work like the other
works of her she dwells on the theme of the female goddess and the divine energy (Gallery et
al). The female figure in this particular artwork is often interpreted as a silhouette of the
female goddess and the energy which entails with her. In the opinion of the other critics this
particular artwork of Mendieta represents the “creative, fertility of the divine feminine and
the power and beauty inherent in the earth” (Gallery et al). This particular artwork of hers
represents a female figure standing in front of a tree and is often considered to be one of the
paradigms of the modern artworks. Therefore, this artwork should deserve a place within the
“Two Rivers Gallery”.
Art since 1945: Alberto Giacometti, “The City Sqaure”, 1948
Giacometti is a post war artists whose artworks have been much appreciated in the
present times. He is famous for his artworks which incorporate within them precepts of
surrealism, expressionism and others to portray the condition of the modern day world
(Mathews). “The City Sqaure” of Giacometti was inspired by the gruesomeness which he
experienced during the “Second World War” and is a personal account of the horrors which
he encountered during the war (Mathews). In the opinion of many scholars and critics this
particular artwork of Giacometti tries to “show the future of mankind if mankind continues to
indulge in the practices of war” (Mathews). In the opinion of others this particular work of
the artists shows “human isolation, vulnerability, and indestructibility” (Mathews). Thus, it

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can be said that various critics as well as scholars have offered different interpretations of the
same work however none of the critics or the scholars can deny the importance and the
artistry involved in the artwork. Another interesting thing to note about the work is that the
entire work has been carved out on a piece of bronze. Thus, it can be said that this particular
work of Giacometti deserves a place in the “Two Rivers Gallery”.
Art since 1945: Nora Heysen, “Motherhood”, 1950
Nora Heysen is another modern artist whose works have much influenced the course
of the modern art. It is to be noted that just like the artworks of Giacometti, the artworks of
Heysen have also been much influenced by the war and its related aspects. Thus, her
“Motherhood” completed in the year 1950 is considered to be one of the most pertinent
expressions of the gruesome machinery of war and the “danger which it poses to the modern
society” (Hylton). In the opinion of many critics as well as scholars this particular artwork of
Heysen “represents the protective feelings of a mother to protect her child from the horrors of
the war” (Hylton). It is to be noted that after the two great wars many artists have tried to
depict the harmful side of the war by the use of various machinery however this particular
work of art stands out among them as it uses the machinery of human emotions and the
“protective feelings of a mother towards her child” to drive home the point of Heysen
(Hylton). Thus, it can be said that this particular artwork of Nora Heysen deserves a place in
the “Two Rivers Gallery”.
Modern Art in Europe and America 1900-1945: Pablo Picasso, “Minotaur Kneeling
Over Sleeping Girl”, 1933
Picasso is considered to be one of the most important pioneers of the modern art of
painting and it is a reflection of this that many of his paintings are considered to be models or
frameworks from which the various modern artists compose their artworks (Dillenberger and

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Handley). His “Minotaur Kneeling Over Sleeping Girl” composed in the year 1933 was one
of his earliest artworks and shows some of the dominant themes of his in miniature theme
which would be further developed in his later works (Dillenberger and Handley). In addition
to that, this is “the first example in line among several works to be realized through the
remaining part of the decade by the painter where he used the theme of the legendary Minoan
creature Minotaur recurrently” (Dillenberger and Handley). It is to be noted that the Minotaur
myth finds repeated use in the later works of Picasso and because of this particular reason
“Minotaur Kneeling Over Sleeping Girl” is considered one of the most important works in
the cannon of Picasso’s artworks (Dillenberger and Handley). Thus, it can be said that this
particular artwork of Picasso should find a place in the “Two Rivers Gallery”.
European and American Art, 1840-1910: Van Gogh, “Midday Rest”, 1890
Van Gogh, the predecessor of Picasso is often considered to be one of the greatest
artists not only of the 19th century but of all times (Schulze and Windhorst). He is considered
to be one of the earliest practitioners of the art of expressionism and the painting “Midday
Rest” composed in the year 1890 is often considered to be a result of this particular art-form
(Wilkie). This particular artwork has an interesting history behind its creation. According to
many critics, Van Gogh left Paris after staying in it only for three days and this particular
painting of Van Gogh is considered to the composed after his retirement from the bustling
society of Paris (Wilkie). In the opinion of Van Gogh, “Auvers is very beautiful. There were
many old thatched roofs, something that is becoming rare (...) It is entirely rural, distinct and
picturesque. (...) I am almost sure that on these canvas I have articulated what I cannot
express in words, namely how healthy and heartening I find the countryside" (Schulze and
Windhorst). It is this particular serenity as well as the beauty of the land of Auvers that went
into the creation of the painting. This particular painting of Van Gogh shows a man and a

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woman taking rest in the rural area of Auvers away from the bustling society of Paris. Thus,
it can be said that this particular painting of Van Gogh deserves a place in the “Two Rivers
Gallery”.

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References
Dillenberger, Jane, and John Handley. The Religious Art of Pablo Picasso. Univ of California
Press, 2014.
Gallery, Hayward, et al. Ana Mendieta: Traces. Hatje Cantz, 2014.
Hylton, Jane. Nora Heysen: light and life. Wakefield Press, 2009.
Mathews, Timothy. Alberto Giacometti: The art of relation. IB Tauris, 2013.
Schulze, Franz, and Edward Windhorst. Mies van der Rohe: A critical biography. University
of Chicago Press, 2012.
Wilkie, Ken. The Van Gogh File: The Myth and the Man. Souvenir Press, 2012.

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Appendix 1
Figure 1: “The Tree of Life” by Ana Mendieta
Source: “Museum Of Fine Arts”, Boston

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Figure 2: “The City Square” by Giacometti
Source: MoMA Art Collection

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Figure 3: “Motherhood” by Nora Heysen
Source: Art Gallery NSW
Figure 4: “Minotaur Kneeling Over The Sleeping Girl” by Picasso

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Source: Picasso Art Gallery
Figure 5: “Midday Rest” by Van Gogh
Source: Van Gogh Art Gallery