Worldview
Rogier van der Weyden is a European artist who lived between 1469, and as communicated by his artworks, his worldview was based on the religious perspective. Although the artist might have painted a few secular sensitive themes in his life, his main source of themes was Christianity (Kleiner, 2017). Van der Weyden’s worldview was significantly influenced by his mentors or people he looked up to for inspiration. Artists such as Robert Campin and Jan van Eyck influenced van der Weyden to dwell in the Christianity setting of artwork. Furthermore, his paintings such as St Luke Painting the Virgin, Madonna and Child with Four Saints, The Altarpiece of the Virgin, and Crucifixion say a lot about the artist’s interest in religion (Kleiner, 2017). Other factors such as places he visited and life experiences are also attributed to the painter’s world perspective.
Jean-Honoré Fragonard is a French artist born in 1732 and died in 1806 with his worldview shaped by delicate hedonism. Fragonard’s pursuit for pleasure was expressed in his painting which mostly focused more on the code of dressing than facial expression (Baetjer, 2019). The artist’s worldview was significantly influenced by his mentors and other people with whom he associated. Fragonard was inspired by the flamboyant lifestyle of one of his chief patrons and artist, Jean-Claude Richard (Fragonard & Russell, 2018). The artist’s admiration for painters such as Frans Hals, Peter Paul Rubens, and Rembrandt made him paint executive versions of their heads. Fragonard also lived a fancy lifestyle which accompanied by places he visited added inspiration for hedonism perspective.
Similarities of the Artists
The two artists allowed the environment they lived in to inspire and formulate their destiny. By developing an admiration for certain artists, Fragonard and van der Weyden saw the world from the same angle as these artists. The desire for the two artists to become like their mentors is equally admirable. As van der Weyden had religious-based artists as his mentors, Fragonard had hedonism artists as his patrons and they both painted paints with such themes. The two artists were also inspired by places they visited when growing up and while drawing. For example, when Fragonard visited Paris and met his wife’s sister, he was inspired by a domestic theme and created The Schoolmistress or “Now Say Please” arts (Fragonard & Russell, 2018). Similarly, when van der Weyden visited Rome, inspired by respective religious history painted a portrait of Francesco d’Este and Madonna and Child.
Both of the artists used the chiaroscuro art technique whereby they expressed various effects of shades and lights. Fragonard uses the technique in woodcut prints to emphasize on light and shades effects of their wood paintings. For van der Weyden, chiaroscuro from Northern Renaissance was used in visual arts to express light and shadow in three-dimensional objects (“Rogier van der Weyden,” 2022). Finally, the two artists were educated and the educational knowledge contributed to their outstanding success in the artwork.
Personal Liking for their Arts
One thing I like about the artworks of van der Weyden and Fragonard is that they express real-time themes. The religious and hedonism world perspectives are relatable to my life. I am a religiously connected individual yet I pay close attention to elegance and all factors that please me. I also like their works because they can awaken a forgotten human purpose based on their themes. For example, most religious paintings by van der Weyden can be a constant reminder for Christians to remain on the righteous path. The paintings of Fragonard constantly remind viewers of the need to fully live their lives by pursuing their sources of pleasure. For example, Portrait of a Man by Fragonard inspires the viewers to dress elegantly. In other words, I like the deep meanings of the various artworks by the two authors.
Cultural and Societal Influence on Styles
The style of van der Weyden was greatly influenced by his culture because he was surrounded by craftsmen when growing up. According to the study, his father was a master cutler and spent his childhood around rising craftsmen and merchants (“Rogier van der Weyden,” 2022). The artistry practices amongst the people he associated with may have contributed to his art style. Furthermore, his societal relationships with various artists who became his mentor in religious themes shaped his style. His further association with people made him established in society as a distinguished painter. When he visited Brussels, he was made the city painter and it is then he added van der Weyden to his name Rogier.
The style of Fragonard was equally influenced by his culture especially by the fact that his father was a haberdasher. The artist grew up seeing his father make men’s clothing and so developed his passion for hedonism (Fragonard & Russell, 2018). When his family moved to Paris, Fragonard was mentored by a lawyer who pursued him to learn how to paint. Furthermore, the artists were surrounded by wealthy businessmen who wore elegantly. His artwork mentors also saw the world from a pleasure-seeking view thus influencing him to follow the same path (Fragonard & Russell, 2018). Fragonard while learning copied multiple paints by famous painters who shared the same worldview as his. The society also shaped his style when he was allowed to exhibit his starting paintings at various galleries.
Reason for Community Appreciation
Rogier van der Weyden is appreciated by the community as one of the most profound and influential painters of the 15th century. He received international fame for his naturalism and use of expressive pathos. The artist received recognition for his range of religious portraits whose subjects were repeated in Italy, the Netherlands, and the Iberian Peninsula in the 16th century (“Rogier van der Weyden,” 2022). Furthermore, van der Weyden worked and influenced many works including those that recognized cities and churches.
Fragonard is recognized and appreciated by society for his expression of the rococo style. He was known for his virtuosity, fluid grace, and sensuous charm in his painting technique. The community appreciated his expression for hedonism, remarkable exuberance, and facility (Kleiner, 2017). He was born in a fast-rising family which later became famous in society and so did his work. Most of Fragonard’s paintings had a deep expression for elegance and pleasure which excited his audience in the community.
Art Understanding on Personal Worldview
My current understanding of art may have a significant effect on my worldview. I now understand that paintings and drawings are more of deep expressions of people’s passions. Artists also use paintings to honor various aspects of history and pursue people on the importance of different issues. My worldview is now shaped by the need to pursue my passion on top of other values I practice. I understand that my worldview can change depending on the gained knowledge from time to time and depending on various events.
References
Baetjer, K. (2019). French paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the early eighteenth century through the revolution. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Fragonard, J., & Russell, P. (2018). Delphi complete works of Jean-Honore Fragonard (Illustrated). Delphi Classics.
Kleiner, F. S. (2017). Gardner’s art through the ages: A concise western history (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Rogier van Der Weyden. (2022). The National Gallery, London. Web.