Introduction
The natural world has presented artists with a wealth of chances to investigate the wonders and intricacies of the natural world and transmit their perceptions of the natural world via various artistic techniques like paintings, sculpture, drawing, and mixed media. The curating of an exhibition is from different geographical areas and time periods. The exhibition titled “Nature in Art” aims to demonstrate how artists have managed to capture the spirit of nature in their work (Chirico et al., 2021).
This show features works of art that investigate many special features of nature, such as the natural world, landscapes, and wildlife. The theme “Nature in Art” is appropriate, prompt, and up-to-date for this exhibition since it explores the relationship that exists between art and the natural world. The exhibition will additionally demonstrate a wide range of artistic creations that honor nature and call attention to environmental conservation.
Since we are limited to a certain number of pieces, we have chosen ten pieces on display at the show, each created by an artist with a piece of exceptional knowledge of nature, depicting the splendor of natural settings. Abstract and realistic approaches to depictions of nature were picked as the two leading topics for the exhibition.
The theme is significant as the arts displayed offer a way to connect with the natural world on both emotional and intellectual levels (Chirico et al., 2021). Through the artworks, we are able to understand the natural world and be inspired to protect it. The visitors will be able to understand what comes next when they see a small animation on the summary of the currently viewed artwork. In the next sections of this curatorial statement, the artworks included in the exhibition are discussed and how they are connected to the overarching topic of nature as depicted in art.
Artwork Analysis
Content
Franz Marc, Gebirge (Mountains), Oil on Canvas, 1911.
Franz Marc’s painting “Gebirge” (Mountains) is a stunning and striking depiction of the spectacular natural scene from German Expressionism. The 1911 oil on canvas painting, which uses vivid, bright colors and broad brushstrokes, perfectly portrays the spirit of the mountains (Franz Marc, 1911). Additionally, it is similarly interested in portraying nature as an expressive and personal experience throughout.
Georgia O’Keeffe, Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico, Oil on Canvas, 1930.
By Georgia O’Keeffe, Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico, is a breathtaking representation of the American Southwest. The 1930 oil on canvas painting exemplifies the artist’s distinctive aesthetic of vivid colors and strong, abstract forms. The painting is characterized by O’Keeffe’s use of abstraction and her attention to detail (Georgia, 1930). The link between nature and the human experience is highlighted in this artwork, which fits nicely with the exhibition’s topic.
Albert Bierstadt, Looking Down Yosemite Valley, Oil on Canvas, 1865.
The magnificent oil painting “Looking Down Yosemite Valley” by Albert Bierstadt perfectly portrays the breathtaking splendor of California’s Yosemite Valley. From a birds-eye perspective, the 1865 artwork shows the valley, with the Merced River meandering in the middle and Yosemite Falls tumbling down in the background (Albert, 1865). This picture exemplifies how nature has been glorified and depicted in art throughout history, which is relevant to the exhibition’s topic.
Katsyshika Hokusai, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Ink, 1830-32.
Katsushika Hokusai produced the well-known woodblock print “The Big Wave off Kanagawa” in Japan between 1830 and 1832. The work was created during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868). The work relates to the theme of nature in art since it depicts the raw power and beauty of the ocean. The poster was a part of a collection named “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” that showed the peak in various lighting conditions and perspectives.
Ivan Aivazovsky, The Ninth Wave, Oil on Canvas, 1850.
The beautiful oil painting “The Ninth Wave” by Aivazovsky captures the strength and volatility of the sea. The 1850 picture depicts a boat straining to remain afloat in the face of enormous waves as the crew watches helplessly. In his paintings, Aivazovsky was renowned for his ability to convey the majesty and the violence of the ocean and “The Ninth Wave” (Aivazovsky, 1850). The artwork displays the dramatic and mesmerizing moment when a shipwrecked crew is rescued by a huge wave, demonstrating the power of nature.
Vincent van Gogh, Starry Night Over the Rhone, Oil on Canvas, 1888.
The “Starry Night Over the Rhone” painting by Vincent Van Gogh captures the night sky with its twinkling stars and shimmering reflection in the river’s water. The work fits the theme as it talks about the river’s water, which is a natural feature. This masterwork, painted in 1888, displays the artist’s love of the night sky and his skill at capturing its ethereal beauty on canvas (Gogh, 1888). The artist is motivated by the use of colors and lights in incorporating the elements of nature.
Paul Signac, The Bay, Oil on Canvas, 1906.
The Mediterranean shoreline is seen in the vivid painting The Bay by Paul Signac. His characteristic pointillist technique, in which the image is formed of minute dots of color that merge to form a coherent whole, is seen in this 1906 work (Signac, 1906). The sea’s vivid blue color dominates the scene, with the rocky shoreline sticking out into the ocean in the foreground. The art is more related to Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone, as the lighting and colors used are similar.
Henri Rousseau, The Flamingoes, Oil on Canvas, 1907.
The magnificent 1907 oil painting “The Flamingoes” by Henri Rousseau shows a flock of flamingos in lush, tropical woodland. Tall, lush trees dominate the painting’s foreground, and distant hills and a body of water can be seen in the backdrop (Rousseau, 1907). The flora and fauna’s vivid hues and complex features are typical of Rousseau’s distinctive style, which combines parts of realism and the fantastic. The gentle, diffused light passing through the trees adds to the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the artwork (Rousseau, 1907). The artist is motivated by the love of birds and colors in representing nature in his artwork.
Vincent van Gogh, Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun, Oil on Canvas, 1889.
Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun, a spectacular landscape painting by Vincent Van Gogh, was completed in 1889. The scene in the picture is an olive grove with a bright yellow sky and a big sun in the distance, and it relates to the theme as it uses natural features (Gogh, 1889). Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun illustrate Van Gogh’s ardor for the natural world. Van Gogh was greatly influenced by his love for nature. His love of nature motivated the artist to work on this project.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Noirmoutier, Oil on Canvas, 1892.
Noirmoutier is an 1892 oil painting on canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. With the blue water in the backdrop and the green trees in the foreground adding a sense of depth and perspective, the painting’s gentle hues and delicate brushstrokes evoke the feeling of a hazy summer day (Renoir, 1892). With an emphasis on depicting the transitory effects of light and color in the natural world, Renoir was well renowned for his impressionist aesthetic, and it relates to more than half of the other works in this exhibition. This approach is perfectly exemplified in Noirmoutier, demonstrating Renoir’s talent as an artist.
Themes
The artwork in this show focuses on one specific aspect, which is the overall depiction of nature, both realistically and abstractly. The exhibition entails different types of media from different geographical areas. It deals with the theme of the nature of art and will assist in addressing some of the issues with nature and how they can be resolved.
I choose to explore the theme of nature in a more global or modern setting, emphasizing the variety of creative styles seen in many cultures and eras. In order to create a cohesive and engaging experience for the victors, I will use contextualization, storytelling, and visual flow to transition from one artwork to another. The artworks in this exhibition are arranged in an order that implies they are interrelated in terms of materiality and theme.
Problematics
Abstract and realistic representations of nature represent the core of the exhibition because of how it has to fit the expressive setting of the real world. Hence, the colors used by artists are essential, especially when looking at Marc’s (1911) and O’Keeffe’s (1930) works. The latter, for example, raises concern regarding the intricacy of the real world and requires the audience to admire nature “as is.”
The need to protect serene beauty is also tangible in Renoir’s (1892) Noirmoutier. Ultimately, Aivazovsky’s (1850) artwork can move the audience because the Ninth Wave fits the main topic of the exhibition since it displays the scary beauty of the world around us.
The inherent love for beautiful sights can be presented in the form of abstract art as well. For example, it was also conveyed by Hokusai’s (1830) abstract exemplification of the Great Wave, where the audience could easily distinguish cultural motifs. On the other hand, there are van Gogh’s Starry Night (1888) and Olive Trees (1889) that make people think about their relationship with nature and its depth.
The collection of abstract artworks will be supported by Signac’s (1906) The Bay and Rousseau’s (1907) Flamingos. These paintings can be deemed decisive elements of the exhibition because they are highly stylized and fully display the beauty of untouched nature.
When looking at both abstract and realistic representations of nature, the audience will be expected to feel the urge to protect the environment and sustain nature’s unscathed aspects for as long as possible.
Conclusion
The exhibition’s design aims to provide visitors with an immersive and interesting experience. In order to do this, the artworks are grouped thematically rather than chronologically, allowing viewers to freely wander around the area and explore the relationships and contrasts among various pieces.
The exhibition is structured around major themes, including the fragility and beauty of nature, the connection between people and the environment, and the effects of climate change on the ecosystem. The artists of the works in this exhibition were inspired by the environment around them. Due to their deep connection to nature, they sought to capture its beauty and fragility in their works.
References
Aivazovsky, I. (1850). Friday’s feature: The ninth wave. AnArt4Life. Web.
Albert B. (1865). Looking down Yosemite Valley, California. Birmingham Museum of Art. Web.
Chirico, A., Clewis, R. R., Yaden, D. B., & Gaggioli, A. (2021). Nature versus art as elicitors of the sublime: A virtual reality study. Web.
van Gogh, V. (1888). 10 facts you don’t know about van Gogh’s Starry Night over the Rhone. 300 Paintings Analysis & Complete Works. Web.
van Gogh, V. (1889). Olive trees with yellow sky and sun, 1889 by Vincent van Gogh. Vincent van Gogh: 300 Paintings Analysis & Complete Works. Web.
Hokusai, K. (1830). Under the wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami URA), also known as the great wave, from the series thirty-six views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) | Japan | Edo period (1615–1868) | The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Web.
Marc, F. (1911). Gebirge (Mountains). Franz Marc – paintings, biography, quotes of Franz Marc. Web.
O’Keeffe, G. (1930). Black mesa landscape, New Mexico / Outback of Marie’s II (1930) | Artsy. Artsy — Discover, Buy, and Sell Fine Art. Web.
Renoir, P. (1892). Barnes collection online — Pierre-auguste Renoir: Bois de la chaise (Noirmoutier). Web.
Rousseau, H. (1907). The flamingos by Henri Rousseau: Buy fine art print. MeisterDrucke. Web.
Signac, P. (1906). Paul Signac la calanque (The Bay) painting reproduction | Paul-signac.org. High Quality Reproductions of Paul Signac Paintings. Web.