https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot en-us 2021-05-04 10:04:08 UTC 2025-12-09 13:19:59 UTC hello@padlet.com dinh_cao_tue https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488945551

How is the artwork “Portrait of the Qianlong Emperor in Court Robes” by Giuseppe Castiglione (Lan Shining) a promotion of power?

]]> 2021-05-04 10:05:46 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488945551 dinh_cao_tue https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488950123 2. In relation to the theme of "Power", what are the differences and similarities between ‘Mr and Mrs Andrews’ by Thomas Gainsborough and ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ by Jan Van Eyck (see "QUESTION 2 (continue)")?]]> 2021-05-04 10:08:05 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488950123 dinh_cao_tue https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488952986 2021-05-04 10:09:32 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1488952986 rachelangzixuan https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492435747 1) This artwork depicts the sole figure  of a Chinese man seated on a throne, dressed in majestic clothing, the clearest indication of his royal status and degree of importance. The painting is dominated by shades of yellow, which suggests wealth. In China, the colour yellow was reserved for the emperor, and only emperors were dressed in yellow imperial robes. The grandeur of the painting is established through the intricacy of the details on the emperor's robes, and the throne that he rests on. This artwork is a promotion of power as it is a royal portrait, and such portraits are only created for the most important. This artwork captures the Qianlong Emperor's elegance and capability through the calm set of his features, establishing his power and influence in China during his reign.

2) Both artworks portray married couples, with such fine brushwork that both paintings look almost photographic. The characters in the artworks are all adorned in fine clothing, suggesting their high social standings. Both paintings depict the typical gender roles designated to men and women, with 'The Arnolfini Portrait' capturing the wife in front of their bed, implying the domestic duties of a woman, and the husband in 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' loosely holding a rifle, alluding to the male responsibility of fighting in battle. Both artworks also display domestic serenity, with the deliberate gesture of the couple in 'The Arnolfini Portrait' holding hands, and the peaceful stance of the couple in 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' resting next to each other. While 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' conveys feelings of tranquility through the light yellow tones of the backdrop of open fields and a lively dog appearing to be in motion,  'The Arnolfini Portrait' is more subdued and grave, mostly shrouded in dark shades of grey and purple, and even the dog in the portrait being still and facing the front perfectly. ]]> 2021-05-05 04:23:31 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492435747 elizabethjeanngyizhen https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492508064 1. The artwork shows a man seated on a throne, he is dressed in intricately detailed robes, he is placed in the center of the artwork and the plain background also further draws attention to the figure. He is dressed in gold and yellow robes with black, red, white and blue/dark purple detailing. which are colors associated with the royal family/ emperor. He seems calm and serene looking at peace like a benevolent ruler.  His court robes are decorated with dragon motifs, which are a symbol of power and strength. The Qianlong Emperor is seated on an elevated platform subtly conveying his position of power. The portrait would have conveyed a sense of royalty to the viewers keeping them in awe of the the power the emperor holds.

2.  both paintings have similar subjects of portraying a married couple in domestic settings. Both paintings have a sense of intimacy, in "Mr and Mrs Andrews" The relaxed stances of the figures show their close relationship while the ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ shows the couple holding hands, however the man seems to be taking a pledge, which may lead us to think that this was a painting of a marital ceremony. Both show the different gender stereotypes that men and women face. In "Mr and Mrs Andrews" The male figure holds a rifle, signifying the men's role in the household of providing food, possibly through hunting. In the ‘The Arnolfini Portrait" the woman casts her gaze downwards to their hands as it was proper ,at the time, for a woman to show her submission and obedience to men. However the different colours in the artworks, portray different moods of the figures. . In "Mr and Mrs Andrews", the overall warmer tones in the background (and the relaxed position of both figures)  create a sense of adoration between the couple. However the darker tones, more contrasting tones of ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ (and the stiff awkward positions and expressions) portray the couple as less loving. ]]> 2021-05-05 05:27:37 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492508064 mayamishanhardy https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492618031 1. This artwork, executed in ink and colour on a silk scroll, depicts the Qianlong Emperor seated on a large, golden, rectangular throne. He wears a long golden-yellow silk robe. The robe is decorated with dragons, clouds and waves. There are also dragons around the arms and back of the throne which look up to the emperor. This directs viewers attention to the emperor. The emperor is also situated in the centre of the scroll, which directs viewers to the emperor. There is a lot of use of symbolism in this artwork. Such as the colour of the robe and overall scroll is generally golden-yellow, which is a colour often associated with the Imperial royal family. In china, the dragon is a symbol of power and strength. The fact that there are dragons on his robes and the dragons on the throne are looking up to him, gives the power that the emperor holds. The emperors expression is serene and composed, giving off a sense of confidence and strength, demanding respect. This artwork is also a realistic, symmetrical composition with delicate brushwork. It's 'perfection' and intricacy shows the amount of effort put into such an artwork, which would only be done for those of great importance and power in the past. Hence the artwork is great promotion of the Qianlong emperor's power.

2. These two artworks both oil paintings depicting married couples. These paintings are similar in the style, both using western techniques, attaining a realistic look with intricate, detailed brushwork. The paintings also both convey power through the depiction of the couples' wealth and status.
'Mr and Mrs Andrews' is about money, possessions and power. Before photography came about, those in positions of power often chose to show their status through art. For example, Mr and Mrs Andrews commissioned portraits of themselves as reminders of their family's fortune. In this painting, situated on the left, the couple are dressed up in posh clothes. The background of the painting is a seemingly never-ending stretch of agricultural fields. Their ownership of expensive clothes and the vast fields were included to give off the idea that  they have immense wealth, are of high status and thus great power.
As for 'The Arnolfini Portrait', an icon of the renaissance, is a formal painting of a wealthy couple holding hands in bedchamber of their Flemish home. The Arnolfini Portrait effectively shows their power through clothing just like in 'Mr and Mrs Andrews'. The lady is wearing a dress with lots and lots of luxurious fabric and the man is also dressed in seemingly expensive clothes. Another representation of power is through their possessions - owning a pet, chandeliers, lavish red furniture, mirrors etcetera. However, unlike in 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' - with never-ending bright expanse of land, the painting is set in an enclosed, small, dimly lit room. This possibly shows how although they are wealthy, they do not have immense power, being enclosed in a rather small space. The darkness of this space also adds a heavy, unfree feeling. 
Overall, both artworks show their power through possessions, space and lighting.

]]> 2021-05-05 06:32:14 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492618031 dinh_cao_tue https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492752137 Hi guys :) It will be great if for question 2, you guys can analyse the painting's elements/details and how they convey "power". I should have made it clearer :3]]> 2021-05-05 07:27:59 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492752137 sherman_tan_woon_kai https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492798572 This artwork, painted during the Qing Dynasty, shows a luminous portrait, seemingly glowing due to the golden, yellow hue that fills most of the composition. Golden yellow is the color associated with the imperial royal family, highlighting the wealth grand aura of the family. Furthermore, being painted on silk, an expensive fabric, which was only produced in China, added another layer of authority.  The emperor sits in a imposing manner: with perfect posture, and a serious face, displaying authority and power. The blurry background further emphasizes the emperor. This piece shows the determination of the emperor, refusing to lose his position to a member of his family. This romanticized depiction of the emperor as healthy and confident was painted so ensure people saw him as a mystical figure, not as a frail old ruler.

2. In both paintings, the subject matter are married couples. More importantly, none of them show much intimacy between each other. This is because intimacy is seen as a sign of weakness, letting down your guard. In "Mr and Mrs Andrews", the couple is lounging under a tree, posing for the painting. Mr Andrews possess a gun under his armpits with little regard, displaying power, in holding such a powerful and dangerous item in a casual fashion. This is also a form of gender roles in society, where the male was responsible for protecting his own family, and country by fighting in the war. Both paintings also combine 2 types of paintings: portrait and landscape paintings. By using the environment, the artist is able to change the mood of the composition. In Mr and Mrs Andrews, the warmer, tonal colors give a peaceful scene, while "The Anolfini Portrait" is more mysterious due to the dark background that the man seems to blend into. In the second artwork, a grand décor such as the large bed displays the wealth and thus power of the couple. Furthermore, the addition of a small dog as a domestic pet shows affluence and social status, as typically only wealthy people would raise pets in that time period.]]> 2021-05-05 07:46:06 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1492798572 https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1493044920 1. Upon a cursory glance at this piece, it is evident that the main subject of the work is a man with great authority. This idea is brought forward through his golden robe with blue and red details, highlighted with black which serves as a symbol of his supreme status. The red and black 'mian' that he wears also immediately links viewers to the idea of chinese emperors. The use of these rich colours symbolise wealth and royalty. His upright posture and firm body language emanates a sense of power and command which is accentuated through his solemn expressions. With a closer look, it is evident that his clothing is embodies designs of dragons and waves which symbolise potent and auspicious powers. This is also translated in the design of the throne he is seated upon. The dominating use of a golden/ yellow ochre tone in the piece also largely contributes to its sense of supremacy as it creates an atmosphere of illumination, wisdom and wealth, and hence power.

2. The theme of marital bond between man and woman is illustrated in both the works. Both the pieces embody a sense of intimacy because of the close proximity of "Mr and Mrs Andrews" and the confinement between a small space which is the bedroom in '‘The Arnolfini Portrait". In relation to power, this intimacy brings a sense of vulnerability in the characters toward each other. In '‘The Arnolfini Portrait' the man stands holding his wife's hand while with his other hand seems to be blessing the child she bears. It is a natural symbolism of the fifteenth century marital roles where the man is depicted to have more power than the female who can be deemed basically powerless. The clothes the pair are wearing is also demonstrative of wealth and social standing as fur was an expensive luxury permitted by law to the upper echelons of society only.
Similarly in 'Mr and Mrs Andrews' the husband is shown to be holding a rifle, in a rather casual manner , illustrating the typicality of a man having to bear armour to protect his family, naturally placing him in a position of higher power. 
The use of warm yellow, brown and dull blue tones creates warmth in "Mr and Mrs Andrews' symbolising love and affection while in ‘The Arnolfini Portrait" there is a sense of detachment due the gap between the couple and the use of solid dull and dark colours.]]> 2021-05-05 09:20:42 UTC https://padlet.com/dinh_cao_tue/iulslpep3uljegot/wish/1493044920