Inspiring and Interesting Art
BY KELSEY BARES
EL G
REC
O
“VIEW OF TOLEDO”
General Information
Title: “View of Toledo”
Artist: El Greco (actually named Doménikos
Theotokópoulos, but took on the name “El Greco” because
this means “the Greek” in Spanish and he was one)
Date of Composition: 1596-1600
Artistic Era: Baroque/Mannerism
Toledo, of which this landscape was made, was El Greco’s
home for quite a few years; this is where he produced
many of his major works.
WHAT IT MEANS TO MEFor me, this painting is very emotional and full
of feeling painted in by the artist, for the viewer to experience. The raging sky reminds me of
the clashing of emotions, thoughts, or decisions in one’s own head; this violent sky also
contrasts beautifully with the calm of the land and buildings. The sweet green of the grass and
the lazy, inviting creek provide a calm and respite from the warring occurring in the sky, as well as the many buildings; between them there are a few houses and a church. For me a church has always represented a place of refuge from any type of conflict, as well as houses could
possibly be places of shelter.
JAO
QÍN
SO
RO
LLA
Y B
AS
TID
A
“THE SKIPPING ROPE”
General Information
Title: “The Skipping Rope”
Artist: Joaqín Sorolla y Bastida
Date of Composition: 1907
Artistic Era: Impressionism
Bastida created this painting of his daughter, Elena,
skipping rope with other girls while on vacation in La
Granja in the summer of 1907.
WHY I CHOSE ITThis playful painting of young girls conveys to me the carelessness and joy of childhood. As Bastida painted this of his young daughter, he must have understood children’s nature perfectly; he depicts the carefree girls prancing around in the summer
heat, oblivious to any problems, and this allows me, in turn, to slip into this frame of mind. This painting
allows me to let go of my worries, as these girls undoubtedly are, and be contented with the world and everything in it I can observe for a few short
seconds.
MA
RIÁ
FORTU
NY
“AFRICAN BEACH”
General Information
Title: “African Beach”
Artist: Mariá Fortuny
Date of Composition: 1867
Artistic Era: Realism
Mariá Fortuny was born in Catalonia, Spain, and would
go on to record the Spanish-Moroccan War by sketch
and painting, and he also instructed many successful
art students.
WHAT IT MEANS TO METhis painting, for me, shows all the colors and images of the bleak and seemingly hopeless colors, shades and moods of life everyone goes through; pale tan, white, brown, black, yellow, gray, pale blue and black are all colors that generally do not represent any feeling in general other than bleakness or even remorse. Yet it also gives light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. The horses riding off through the water symbolize, to me, ‘riding’ away from life’s troubles at some point, letting go of grudges, and moving on, allowing yourself to succeed in whatever your sadness or grudge was holding back.