Online Study Guide Chapter 11

Monuments publicly commemorate a person, event, era, or culture. They exist in between sculpture and architecture, and are usually imposing in scale.

The Portrait of George (Figure 12.29, page 328) is a monument to slain San Francisco mayor George Moscone. Another example is the Monumental Heads from the Easter Islands (Fig. 3.23, page 70). 1. Monumental heads at Easter Island

Figure 11-16, Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy, marbled faced on concrete wall, 81 AD, 50' high, 40' wide.

The Arch of Titus celebrates the military victories of the Roman leader and his apotheosis (rise to divinity).

1. Another view of the Arch of Titus

2. Spoils of Jerusalem, relief panel from the Arch of Titus

War is part of nearly all cultures.

Depictions of warriors have been found as far back as cave paintings. Warriors are usually depicted with imposing statures, specialized armor, and they wear impassive or fierce expressions.

Figure 11-17, Tula Warrior Columns, Mexico, Toltec culture, 900-1000 AD, 16 to 20' high.

Their sheer size, uniform appearance, and stiff poses give the Tula Warriors Columns an air of impenetrable might.

1. Tula Warrior Columns

2. The"Atlantids" at Tula, Toltec culture

Figure 11-18, Equestrian Monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni, Andrea del Verrocchio, Venice, Italy,1483-88, bronze, 15' high.

The Italian mercenary's fierce skill as a soldier is conveyed primarily through his control of his majestic horse and his scowling expression.

Compare the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius (Fig. 1.2) for a non-warrior image of a ruler on horseback.

Figure 11-19, Plaque with Warrior and Attendants, Nigeria, Benin culture, c 17th or early 18th centuries, brass, 19 1/4" high.

Benin bronze plaques were commissioned by the king or"Oba" and functioned as public reminders of the Oba's authority. The warrior's royal status is signified by his size and the leopard motif on his regalia.

1. Benin Warrior Plaque from the Guggenheim African collection

Architecture and paraphernalia for war need to function offensively and defensively.

A warrior's armor is meant to protect, impress, and intimidate through visual means as well as serving as physical armor. Like armor, weapons can be works of art that possess symbolic power. 

Figure 11-20, The Great Wall, China, construction began in the Chin Dynasty 221-206 BC, with major work accomplished in the Ming Dynasty 1368-1644. brick faced, average height 25 ', 1,500 miles long.

The Great Wall is a source of national pride, testifying to the awesome power of collective human will. It is considered on the"wonders of the world."

1. Images and information about the Great Wall of China

Art can affect public opinions about war and artist throughout time have documented the events of wars. The history of art about war has tended to glorify warfare. With the development of photography and film during the twentieth century, we have seen the appearance of more art that has adopted a critical stance on war.

Figure 11-21, Palette of King Narmer, Egypt, c 3100 BC, slate, 25" high.

This palette may have been used to mix eye makeup. The relief shows King Narmer of Upper Egypt conquering Lower Egypt.

1. Front of the Palette of Narmer, from the McClung Museum exhibition

2. View the entire McClung exhibit,"Ancient Egypt: The Eternal Voice," and see the other side of the Palette of Narmer

The Kamakura era tale of two feuding clans is illustrated in a 23 foot scroll painting. Strong contrasts imbue the fire scene with the drama and confusion of warfare.

1. The Burning of the Sanjo Palace

19th Century Battle Scenes

Figure 11-23, Dead Confederate Soldier with Gun, Matthew B. Brady or staff, USA, 1865, photograph.

Brady's documentation of the Civil War made it the first war to be photographically recorded. Photography allowed the horrors of war to become part of the public record. Although photography claims an aura of objective truth, Brady carefully arranged his shots to maximize their aesthetic and emotional appeal.

1. “The Devil's Den," Matthew Brady Civil War Photos

Figure 11-24, Battle of Little Big Horn, Red Horse, USA, Sioux culture, 1880.

Art can present an alternative reading of war from that which is presented in media or in history books. General Custer's fall at Little Big Horn is depicted by a Sioux artist.

1. Chief Red Horse's Account of the Battle of Little Big Horn

2. FBI theft notice of Native American ledger drawings

Twentieth century images of war were dominated by photography and film. Images critical of war have become more prevalent.

In Chapter 12, we will see several artworks effectively used in protest against war.

Figure 11-25, The Battleship Potemkin, Sergei M. Eisenstein, Russia, 1925, film.

Eisenstein's groundbreaking use of montage and camera angles recreated the horror of the 1905 Odessa Steps Massacre.

1. The Battleship Potemkin at IMDB

Figure 11-26, Guernica, Pablo Picasso, Spain, 1939, oil on canvas, 11' x 28'8".

Picasso denounced the annihilation of the Basque capital and its population at the hands of Franco and the Nazis. Guernica is regarded as one of the most powerful anti-war paintings ever created.

1. Picasso's Guernica, at the Reina Sophia Museum

2. Detail from Picasso's Guernica and information about the Spanish Civil War

Figure 11-27, USA Marine Corps War Memorial, Felix W. Weldon, Arlington, Virginia, 1954, cast bronze.

This popular monument commemorates the American deaths at the Battle of Iwo Jima. The sculpture is based on a photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal.

1. The Iwo Jima Memorial (“USA Marine Corps War Memorial")

2. Detail of the Marine Corps War Memorial

Figure 11-28, Maya Ying Lin. Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Black granite, 492' long; height of wall at center 10'1". Washington, D.C., USA, 1982.

1. The Wall Website

Figure 11-29, Eddie Adams. Brigadier General Nguyen Ngoc Loan summarily executing the suspected leader of a Vietcong commando unit. Saigon, South Vietnam, February 1, 1968. World Wide Photos.

1. Photographs of War

In contrast with the volume of art about war, few works of art about peace exist.