For my blog, I have chosen Diego Velazquez's Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor). This painting appears to be a kodak moment, with the maids of honor surrounding the young princess in the middle. It could have been taken at a wedding in todays time, the exception being the style of dress. The girl knealing by the princess seems to be helping her in someway, possibly preparing her for an event. The girl to her right looks like she is posing for the camera. It truly looks like a snapshot moments before the ceremony. The girl on the right playfully puts her foot on the dog, and the dog's expression here is great. He seems to be a little annoyed, but relaxed at the same time. The lighting is phenomenal; very realistic. I really enjoy this painting, which is serving as a great subsitite for a camera in such a special time.
From the reading, I have chosen to relate Antonio del Pollaiuolo's "Battle of the Nudes" to our world today. I believe Pollaiuolo's piece reveals his intentions of depicting the entire male figure under tension and stress. One way this engraving reminds me of todays world is just that fact that there are men fighting each other. Though it is not known what the Nudes are fighting over, it was and remains to be a symbol of male agression. They all seem to have different weapons, ranging from swords, to daggers, to hatchets/axes, to a bow and arrow. To me this symbolizes the differences in pride of men, and what they have to bring to battle with them. If not pride, possibly their defense mechanism when place in a competitive situation. Males are very competitive, and it seems to be a biological trait as these men especially have the bodies and stature to cause extreme harm. Today men that look similar to these figures train and fight one another in Mixed Martial Arts, or UFC competitions- except they use their fighting/defense skills without the use of weapons. However, the theme of male dominance is relevant in both times.
