The current paper presents the impression of Mass painted in oil on wood by Franz Wilhelm Seiwert in 1931. This artwork belongs to the Bauhaus art school, which was prospering from 1919 to 1933. Bauhaus highlighted the modernization of the world and argued that art should depict it correspondingly (Gropius 1). Specifically, painters from this school wanted to unite fine arts and crafts in one new approach.
Seeing the picture on the computer screen, before actually coming to the exhibition, provoked a rational thinking process. I wondered whether there was information on the history of the painting, if the painter had a hidden message in mind when drawing, what was the public perception when the picture was first released, and if and how it was different from modern perception. In contrast, seeing it personally aroused emotional reaction and a less rational impression. I felt nostalgic, although I had not ever experienced the actions and life that the picture depicted. Probably, these feelings were caused by the Bauhaus artists’ successful intent to match and depict the reality of the modern processes. Thus, there was a dramatic difference in impressions on the painting before and after seeing it in person.
Likely, such a reactional pattern was not a design intent but rather a well-known aura effect that each original piece of art has. However, the Bauhaus main principles are reflected in Mass, and, for instance, the people and the landscape are drawn using ornaments and shapes, and the whole painting resembles an applique following the principle of different arts combination (Gropus 3). Probably, the picture is used as a medium because it was the profile activity of Seiwert. Overall, the picture represents the Bauhaus tradition and follows its principles.
To conclude, Seiwert’s picture pertains to the Bauhaus school using the main principles of Bauhaus, such as the blending of fine arts and crafts. Mass provokes the emotions echoing nostalgia, which is probably caused by Seiwert’s intention to reflect modern reality. Thus, seeing the picture in person raises particular feelings about its idea, and these emotions are the most salient when seeing the picture in person.
Work Cited
Gropius, Walter. “Bauhaus manifesto and program.” 1919.