# 3

From the website of Verrochio's David, it's interesting to compare different versions of David made in Florence between 14th and 15th centuries. The young David's courage and confidence has been a symbol of the spirit of Florence since 14th century. The story of David and Goliath is just the beginning event of the future king of Israel, yet it provides a rich source of inspiration for artists. They captured the different moments of the great victory to show many aspects of David.

Some dipicted David at the moment of decapitating Goliath, showing blood gushed from the neck of Goliath. The victory has beeb decided. David had won the seemingly impossible fight.

The other artists chose to represent David at the later stage of the conflict when he became relaxed and stepped on the body of Goliath, or had Goliath's head lying on the side of his feet.

Also David was shown holding the loaded sling , and was
going to throw the stone with all his strength. The situation was very tense and critical.


The David Micholangelo made probably was some time after the battle. He was mature and there was no Goliath's head beneath his feet. David has grown into an ideal stage. He was full of confidence and did not need anything to prove his value.

#2

The Merode Alterpiece, by Robert Campin, is an example of dipicting a biblical event happened in the artist's contemnporary setting. Mary was sitting in a comfortable Flemish home, absorbed in reading. For a long time, I was puzzled by this kind of arrangements. What are the thoughts and intention behind it? Does it mean to bring the viewers closer to the situation of the figures and make them connect to God more easily? What if we see a painting of Mary sitting in a modern apartment, wearing a pair of jeans, and working in front of a computer when an angel doing Annuciation?
At first, I thought it's quite odd to portray Mary in a way a thousand years out of her time and thousand miles from her own place. It's too "unrealistic" , though the artist was using virtuoso technique to show details and accuracy. After thinking of some possibilities, I don't have an obvious answer to the question. But it might be what the artists want us to do- to think over about their works. A great piece of art can evoke interactions between the artists and viewers and inspire viewers to explore the multiple layers of meaning in it.

Solitude, by Marc Chagall, 1933
This piece of painting is full of poetic quality, which evokes imagination and deep feelings. There are many symbolic things in this painting, like the big scroll, the accompanied animal, the violin, and the flying angel. The content of this painting shows a man sitting there lonely and sorrowful, either dreaming or contemplating, but also gives a sense of longing and hope. I chose this piece because it reflects some aspects of my personality. I like to retreat to solitude, dreaming, imagining, searching the inner world of mind. Chagall did this painting in his middle age, but I think we will get different meanings from this painting at different ages.



The second piece is a photograph my 13-year-old daughter took when we were in Istanbul. It looks like no subject matter, but still intends to create some thoughts and feelings in this image. I connect this piece with my interests in historical events and places. What we know about the past is only a tiny part of the truth, like this illuminated area in the vast darkness. And also what we think we know may not be true, as the meanings of those Arabic are hidden for me . The light on the scene would be gone, and move to another spot next moment. It is changing every moment as the passing of time.


The third piece is called " poet on a mountain top" by Chen Zhou ,a Chinese painter (1427-1509). This is an ink painting that shows only value, but no hue or saturation of color. Though the man is on the top of the mountain, he is still a small figure in the whole picture. The long way he has traveled may symbolize the process of his life. He is calm and stands in awe at that moment. All the turmoil of the world has been left behind. The inner peace has been achieved. I enjoy simple style rather than flamboyant style. That's why ink paintings appeal to me.