Title: Mona Lisa 

Date: 1504

Medium: oil painting 

1: The Mona Lisa art piece stands out alot, back then women would wear a lot of gold jewelry, hair accessories or makeup but she isn't wearing any of those things and still gets alot of attention.

To me it represents old beauty. 

2: I went with the Mona Lisa piece for my first choice because it's an iconic art piece that I knew nothing about so I wanted to learn a little more about it.

I like how such dark colors can get so many people's attention because dark colors like the ones used wouldn't attract me towards the art but it's still  a beautiful drawing. 

The technique that was used in painting this is pretty crazy, he used the “sfumato” technique where  he applied the paint in thin layers. He’d draw, wait for it to dry, then paint again over and over till eventually he was finished. 

The Immaculate Conception

1627

 Oil on canvas

In this art piece  you can see four cherubs, two on the side, 3 under the virgin. The virgin has a halo above her and  They're on clouds. If you look in the back there's golden clouds with more cherubs or babies. It's a nice drawing that represents conception, which refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother. I'm not really religious so I'm not   sure how it makes me feel. 

Rainy season in the tropics

1866

Painting 

This is a picture of a tropical forest, there is a huge rainbow going across both hills, 

Also known as an alexander's band. 

You can see a group of people walking with their horses( or donkey)

This picture just looks peaceful to me, I can imagine the smell of rain and the wind blowing at your face. 

The land that is shown was drawn when frederic lived in jamaica, he and his wife returned in 1865 when they lost their two kids from diphtheria. 

Year it was created: 1818
Material/Medium: Oil on wood

1. To me the beauty of this art piece is how realistic the artist made it feel. It’s very representational.  It is so well crafted it’s almost life like. The grapes and wine look so real. The crystal wine glass even has the glare from a light of a clean glass. The cake is well balanced with detail. This is expressing unity of different types of desserts.

2. I chose this painting because my family had one similar in the dining room. The painting they have is a of a fruit platter in the similar fashion with realistic representation like the painting I chose. Seeing this painting brought back some good memories growing up at the dining table breaking bread with my family. I remembered asking my mom once why she had a painting of a fruit platter. Her response was that it represented unity and that’s why its in the dining room, as a family should be untied no matter your differences, just like all the fruit in the platter. You need one to compliment the other.

Title of artwork: The Virgin Nursing the Christ Child

Year it was created: 1519

Material/Medium: Engraving

1. This print was created in 1519 and the detail is impressive. From the waves and curves in baby Jesus’ hair to the way Virgin Mary is sitting. The ruffles on her dress are amazingly engraved. This artwork represents motherhood at its finest. The story it tells about the Virgin Mary nursing Jesus is amazing and shows that he was an ordinary baby who later became the savior of all. This express love, family, and unity which the catholic religion is all about.

2. I chose this artwork because of the beauty and representation of Virgin Mary showing baby Jesus’ love. It reminds me of when my kids were born, and my wife would nurse them to sleep. The bond and unity that they have is because of moments like this. There is nothing more beautiful than the bond that a mother has with her child.

Title of artwork: Feathered Serpent Pendant
Year it was created: 14^th-16^th century
Material/Medium: Shell

1.  For me the intricacy of the piece is outstanding. Who ever created this must have had a great imagination, was very skilled, had great attention to detail. It’s a serpent coiled around the center with two hands, one holding a flower and the other a knife. According to the Quetzalcoatl-Ehecatl, this ornament was connected to warriors and these type of shell pieces were located within royal palaces and used for ceremonies by the Mexica elite.  These pieces were highly esteemed in Aztec times.

2. I personally think it’s a cool looking piece and has some good history attached to it. Shell carving was a delicate and beautiful skill to have, and I was impressed by the artwork. Coming from a Hispanic background its nice to see such amazing artwork that our ancestors created.

1889
Oil on Canvas
1. The artworks choice of color seem relaxing to the artist but to others it seem might appear nervous or unstable. I would have to agree and disagree with that statement because personally I like the color pallet Van Gogh used, I even think its a bit relaxing. What made this art work beautiful to me was the color pallet its pleasing to the eyes, I also like how cartoony the bedroom look like from a kids story. It doesn't really bring out any belief in me but I do see how it might be expressing nervous or unstable energy. I feel like the image can become ire as the room looks small and confined almost claustrophobic inducing. Well the story behind this art work was around the time Van Gogh moved into his first own house. He was excite to paint painting and hang them all over his rooms walls but then got tired of it with no inspiration he took 2 days in bed till he decided to paint a painting of his room. This or course ain't the first version as he would send the first painting to his brother then repaint it after the first one took water damage. Van Gogh also painted a 3rd version which was a smaller size and a gift to his mother.
2. I really like Van Gogh's oil paintings as well as his art style it looks realistic while also looking cartoony and pleasing to the eyes, I was gonna originally do his other Oil Painting "The Starry Night", but I read the information on the AIC website and that caught my attention too. The only thing I think I can relate to would have to be cartoony art style but I can't relate to the art work as I don't usually paint.

This pottery art piece has beautiful curved line and blue flower patterns. It caught my eyes immediately due to its unique pattern and material. The artist combined two completely different concepts together beautifully. The traditional Chinese ceramic patterns look lovely and exquisite in the shape of a French horn. Ceramic and its pattern represent Chinese culture, and the french horn represents french culture. The artist is trying to use this combination to express their appreciation of beauty in both cultures. Unlike other artworks representing beauty, this artwork used a creative way to link both cultures together. That is why it stands out and makes me choose this art piece. I grow up with this kind of traditional blue ceramic pattern plates. However, it is not popular in China anymore. It reminds me of my childhood.

It also made Buddhism easier to be accepted by the Ancient Greek culture and helped to spread Buddhism further. This statue appears to be a prince who gives up all his fortune and meditates towards Nirvana, which makes him a Bodhisattva. That is why he is wearing all the elegant jewellery.

I choose this one among others because this statue appears different from the Maitreya people can see in Chinese temples; it represents the specific region’s region belief. I can relate to this artwork because I’m very familiar with Buddhism. However, it is interesting to see a Bodhisattva statue in a completely different style than I used to see. 

2.I found a similar piece where a woman was looking out her window, this one stood a lot more to me. This stood out to me because of the color and I really liked the details the artist added such as the view outside the window, the inside of her room, and the flowers. I also liked the amount of flowers being used, he adds them in her hair and she even holds one of them. This piece relates to a lot of the artwork I usually like seeing. I feel like I can see myself in her. Looking at this piece we can all interpret a different opinion of how she is feeling. In my eyes she looks happy but yet sad at the same time. The style of this artwork is very calming to look at. I think that's because of the colors being used, the variety of different shades of pink. The pink makes the mood feel relieving. 

step 3

 What makes this beautiful to the eyes are the extraordinary colors being used. It expresses a belief of religion because of the female figure looking down with her hands together. This art does serve to unify and connect this image gives me the idea of piece. The story of this is painted for its notable exquisite details.

Title of work : The Crucifixion

Year it was created:  1675

Material: Oil on canvas

The purpose of this work is to display the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as described  in the bible.

My family is Cathloic and growing up when I would go to church, I would see statues of pictures of the crucifixion everywhere and to me it would feel dark as displayed in this painting.

The common mask was used among Sherbro and Mende people which play an important role in their culture, according to The Artic.edu. To me, this art is special because my eyes stopped at the face region where only two eyes are opened with three winkles at the end of the eyes. To continue, everything on this mask is symmetrical to others such as two small humans on both sides, the triangle pine helped created the shape of the mask, many straight-line were symmetrical, it’s used to decorate the hair regions, and two horns behind her head. Moreover, I love the winkle at the end of the mask which indicated for people who wear these masks were an older generation and I feel the respected, powerful, and mysterious person behind the mask. Lastly, the mask tells me that people who wear this mask will have three big-circle rings on their neck, and the reason why I know is not only because of these three rings on the mask but this detail also appear on two small humans on both sides on the head. 

I stopped by the title of the art which is The dream of the shepherd which make me question what is it. Thus, I saw a person who cover his face in a sitting down position, and the position of this person tells that he is not comfortable with the things he saw so he had to cover it. Next, I moved my eyes upper a little, I saw many naked ladies behind which help me understand what is his dreams and why he has to cover his eyes. I like this art because of its colors, and I think because of this color makes the painting less dark since the purpose of the art was a sin. To explain, a man was standing in between making a sin which is observing these naked ladies but he chose not to which is why the color of the painting was brighter and pinky to me. 

To me, this art contains is special because it was mentioned two people with one being stronger and is bullying the weaker. Moreover, the painting contains red color which shows the brutality of this situation, and the fight is ongoing by the time it was painted. In my opinion, it reminded me of domestic violence nowadays, where a husband is hitting his wife violently. Moreover, the details were faded and didn’t clear the expression on both faces but still express the violence between two persons. 

Title of artwork: Cow's Skull with Calico Roses.
Year it was created: 1931
Material/Medium: Oil on Canvas

The aim for this artwork for me expressed emotion along with the beauty of the piece in my eyes.  I would also like to share that just like Georgia O'Keeffe "captivated by the stark elegance of the bones".  I also liked how the flowers symbolize life which gives more of a focal point on the structure of the bones that are painted , but look completely realistic.
2. Why did you choose it among all others? How do you relate with this artwork?

I chose this art work among all other because it caught my eye due to the beauty of the flowers along with the beautiful head of the cow, although being a skull its beauty is still captured by the way the artist aligns the skull right in the middle of the paper in accordance with a small cut black background that gives the portrait its balance. I feel That I related to this art piece because I want to become a Veterinary Technician and work alongside large animals such as these and help when they are in need.

Title of artwork: "Two Cows and a Young Bull beside a Fence in a Meadow"
Year it was created: 1647
Material/Medium : Oil on Panel

What makes it beautiful in my eyes is how captivating the landscape. Another aspect of this artwork that makes it beautiful is the texture of the fur on the lighter cow has very intricate light brush strokes that glorify the overcast of the whether on the cow. The artist painted this type of piece to connect the world with that of a farmer and or farm living. As an observer the tiny detail of the homes in the far bottom corner makes it feel distanced from the farm. It tells a story of interaction amongst animals and how their civility can be very similar to our way of being. 

2. Why did you choose it among all others? How do you relate with this artwork?
 I chose this artwork amongst others because of being able to see the connection between animals and humanity. The similarities of means of conversation through looks and body language is what these animals are mostly aware of. I feel that I relate to this artwork because animals already intrigued me ad the details of this work are amazing to how many years ago it came out. 

1. What is the purpose or aim of this artwork?
 The purpose of this artwork is to show how immense the stray dog  population is Mexico city. The animas look to be Emaciated, hungry and most of all no owner seems to be in sight as this work was created. Another aspect is that the community of these stray dogs continues to grow due to inbreeding and many that get left in the street.

2. Why did you choose it among all others? How do you relate with this artwork? 

I feel I  chose this art piece among all the others because I feel passionate about helping animals and would like to see them being treated with respect and taken care of as they are "Man's Best friend". I feel  I can relate to this type of  artwork because it only gives half of the extreme hardship that animals face in poor countries.

I choose this because I thought it looked fancy. It was different than other pieces because it is 3D and contains many cool stones.

I choose this artwork because I really like the calligraphy. I relate to this art because I use writing as an expressive outlet like they are.

I choose this art because I like the colors and design. I relate because I enjoy eating as well.

I choose this artwork among the others because it made me feel happy because I was able to relate to the artwork because I do go oht.

1944/48

Artist:

Peter Blume

American, born Russia (now Belarus), 1906–1992

Oil on canvas

The aim of this artwork was to show us that people would worship anything which is why I choose the philosophy. It's a beautiful painting that shows the emotion of worship I believe. It serves to make us open our eyes to the real world. It tells a story of a rock that survived a catastrophe and how some people choose to live on while others worship the rock.

I choose it for its philosophical aspect because the painting did make me think of what was going on at the moment .

Title of artwork: Study for “A study on La Grande Jatte”

Year it was created: 1844

Material/Medium: Oil on Canvas

 

2. I chose this among other pieces of Georges's art as it uses a variety of colors along with a comfortable display of a pleasant group party with no exaggerations of shapes or forms. I can relate to this as the pointillism, a dot technique, the artist used is similar to how I think back in memory as it is blurry but clear enough to see the moment of a good time of people enjoying themselves at a park.

Title of artwork: The Assumption of the Virgin

Year it was created: 1577-1579

Material/Medium: Oil on Canvas

Title of artwork: Under the Wave off Kanagawa

Year it was created: 1826-1836

Material/Medium: color woodblock print, Oban

I choose it because it was a beautiful painting something I would love to have in my room.

1.     Artist's name: Jean Simeon Chardin (French, Paris 1699-1779 Paris)

2.     Title of artwork: Soap Bubbles

3.     Year it was created: 1733

4.     Material/Medium: Oil on canvas

I love this artwork since this image looks very nice about a little child life. This artwork recalls my childhood’ memory of hanging around with my friends in the neighborhood to play all kinds of game. The game of playing soap bubbles seems like very popular for all kids of any generation in the world. Nowadays, I also have seen my kid playing this game. However, the tool and the soap water have been made readily and sale at many stores, so nowadays’ kids do not need to do the steps of mixing soap up with water and find the tube by themselves to blow into bubbles. To my generation kids, we ourselves must find the materials, mix them up and look for the stems of papaya leaves from the garden or even go to neighbors’ garden to ask for it and use as the tube. This image expresses the emotion of the author, and my emotion to this game as well. 

I chose this artwork since this is very close to what was going on in my childhood. I put my emotion in the picture as the author did. Choosing the one that is of my passion makes me easier to express my feeling.

2.     Title of artwork: Hand mirror

3.     Year it was created: 1908

4.     Material/Medium: Silver, ivory, enamel, and glass

This artwork, the hand mirror looks amazing to me since all the features on it has been made very detailed with the masterful skills of the author Dixon. Only a tiny hand mirror that looks like the one I ever had when I was single, but this mirror details demonstrate the much more high-level skills of Dixon than the other regular one in the world. By creating this masterpiece, Dixon wanted to send her emotion, her love in artwork to this masterpiece. I love this artwork too, since it has emphasized the importance of artwork in supporting to the beauty industry for women. 

I choose this artwork, hand mirror since I love dressing up frequently. The hand mirror is always needed for us, especially women who love beauty. Choosing this artwork makes me easier to express my real feeling than the other. This looks totally different with the ones I have ever known so far. Only a tiny hand mirror, there are four kinds of rare material have been used. 

2.     Title of artwork: The Taste of Happiness

3.     Year it was created: 2007-2014

4.     Material/Medium: A book of 158 pages; Height: 11 in. (28 cm)

            This artwork talked about what the author David-Weill have learned about life during his long career. The artwork looks like a wedding invitation card that represents for the happiness of the card holder. At the first look, I feel like it author just add the happiness taste in this art piece, Until reading at the end of the introduction words for this artwork, I have recognized that this artwork includes all what he have learned, anything good or bad he have learned during his career time. To me, it means that the chances of learning is the happiness things in life.

I like to choose the artwork that I deeply understand the purpose and the meaning that the author wanted to send to the artwork. I relate this artwork to my life by linking the red color of the book cover and the golden frame close to the edges to the luckiness things in life. Per most of Asian, the red and golden colors bring the luck to people holding it. This point might be the reason that the author have applied to express his feeling.

Title of work :Landscape with Stars

Year it was created:. 1905–1908

Material: Watercolor on white wove paper

According to ‘The Met’ the purpose of this piece is to give a poetic depiction of a sky full of stars.

These beautiful watercolor, controlled strokes create a wonderful sky covered in stars and a jungle of trees down below.

Time of work: Beach Scene

Year it was created:ca. 1865

Material:Watercolor and gouache on off-white wove paper

The purpose that the artist had behind this piece was to take inspiration from british artist, Joseph M.W. Turner and create a perfect beach scene. 

This piece peaks my personal interests due to the fact that I really enjoy landscape paintings.

Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis

Ca 300BC

Marble

I love Ancient Greek and Roman art. The first time I went to the Met in 1999, the gigantic beautiful marble column caught my eyes as soon as I walked into the hall. I didn’t know much about the classic order, I didn't know its an ionic style column, but I love the design on the top of the column, how it looked like the inside of a shell. I also like to read Greek mythology. I could see the gods, goddesses and all the other people and animals running, loving, and dying in between all the beautiful marble columns. When I finally went to Europe in 2004, I saw the Parthenon Sculptures in The British Museum, I could not believe how many people it took and how hard it was to make all the marble temples and structures in 300 BC. I like the Marble column of the Temple of Artemis so much, I wish I could have a column of it in my house. I saw some mansions in Palo Alto and Willow Glen that resemble the ancient Greek style, not to mention all the other famous buildings in Paris, New York or Rome. After thousands of years, the ancient Greek art is still in our lives.

Mihra (Prayer Niche)

Dated A.H.755/A.D.1354-55

Mosaic of small glazed tiles

Islamic art is one of the most beautiful style of art to me. I love it so much that I designed my bathroom based on islamic style. I don’t know why I am so attracted to Islamic art, but when I took an islamic art class in college, the interests grew stronger. I guess it is because my favorite color is blue and blue is a popular color in islamic art. Also, the islamic world is in in the middle of Europe and Asia, thus both cultures had influence over Islamic world. We all know that Judaism is the mother of christianity and Islam, however, all three religions are very different, therefore, many conflicts throughout history. From the Crusades to ISIS, the three religions caused many historical events and still affect people around the world.

When we visit New York City in 2019, the ticket for the Met was valid for three consecutive days. As an art lover, this is the best thing ever. We spent a lot of time seeing almost everything we wanted to see. I spent many hours looking at the islamic arts. It used to be many long names of different islamic dynasties and complex islamic architectures became beautiful pieces of artwork in front of me. According to the Met website, the Mihrab is the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, towards which muslim pray five times a day. Therefore, the Mihrab is a very important to muslims. Isfahan is an important city in Iran, which used to be called half of the world. This is on my must visit list and I hope I can see the city with my own eyes some day.

1495-1505

Silk, fine wool and silver and gilded threads
Not finished yet