Contextual studies overview

1. CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
PROJECT
Jemima Witt

2. INITIAL RESEARCH: CLASSICAL
GREECE & ROMEGreek- 800–500 B.C.
Influenced by mythology, architecture,
realism, statue, nude figures as that was
close to nature, purity and Gods are shown
nude.
Romans- 753B.C.- 1453 A.D.
Was dependant on money and for the rich
roman art was appealing. Roman
architecture was new and fresh ideas
showing purity was the biggest influence
and the introduction of the pillars and
invented concrete typography.
Renaissance- 1400-1530 A.D.
Going back to emphasising the purity of the
body, Christianity and religion was key.
Michelangelo's David was key example of

3. INITIAL RESEARCH: CLASSICAL
GREECE & ROME INFLUENCE ON
MODERN DAY
Nazi Germany wanted body purity like
the romans. Used on propaganda
posters. By Leni Riefenstahl.
Versace
Roman
inspired
Aubrey
Beardsley
Black and white line
drawings similar to the
art on a Greek pot.
Modernist building taking
inspiration from roman
buildings.

4. BRITISH MUSEUM ARTEFACTS
Double Headed Serpent
Bust of King
Ramesses
Elgin Marbles
o Is an Aztec sculpture in the British
museum.
o Mosaic tiles attached to a wooden
board, coming from Aztec Mexico.
o It is about 43.3cm long and dates
back to the 15th/16th century.
o There is only thought to be 25
Mexican turquoise mosaics in Europe
from this period so they are
o This is a statue of the
Pharaoh, he is stood in
this position to show his
strength.
o He fathered around 80
children.
o The Elgin Marbles is a collection of
marble sculptures on show in the
British Museum.
o They are thought to be from around
c.447-438
o They are very realistic clothed
figures that are similar to the size.
o The aim was to capture the beauty
of the human form the focussed
largely on the poise, proportion and
the perfection of the human body.

5. ART DECO AND ANCIENT ART
Art deco was strongly influenced by many areas of the world, these
influenced the western world to take their styles and create a new style.
Africa Influenced art deco
with its very different
styles of drawing and the
colours they used,
however Africa and
Mesoamerica influenced
the American art deco
more.
Mesoamerica was a
geographical region which
was near to America and
ends near Costa Rica.
They took the Aztec style
and had influential
architectural styles that
effected American interior
and exterior design.
Egyptian Artefacts influenced
Art Deco the most in the UK
and Paris as around the time
the movement flourished
when Tutankhamun's tomb
was dug up in 1922. Many
things were dug up from
chariots, mummy cases and
gold jewellery, of which had
new styles and colours that
influenced Art Deco.
East Asia influenced Art Deco
but mainly American Art Deco,
artists loved the glamour and
grace created in East Asia. It had
a slenderness about the beauty
of the Geisha was very different
to much of the artistry in the
UK. Their brightly coloured
clothing still inspires the West
today.

6. ARTIST INFLUENCED BY EGYPTIAN
ART
Gustav Klimt, an Austrian artist had a
clear Egyptian influence on his work. A
country whose ancient history and culture
inspired some of Klimt’s most celebrated
art works. This inspired the ‘Golden
Phase’ where he utilised golden leaf which
was one of the most prevalent colours
from the ancient Egyptian era.
This work is called Adele Bloch-Bauer
(1907) using oil, silver and gold on
canvas. There are many shapes and lines
that you can tell the inspiration is from,
Egypt.

7. VAN GOGH AND JAPANISME
Van Gogh took influence for some of his works from Asian
cultures, specifically Japan. Japanisme refers to the influence of
Japanese culture on the western world.
The style came about around 1872, it was adopted by many
artists and can be clearly identified in many artists work around
the time.
Van Gogh used Ukiyo-e which refers to the work of the
common people, the influence came about due to the
emergence of exported Japanese art, specifically Japanese
ceramics. After years of Japanese seclusion more and more
foreign ships visited Japan. Bringing back many Japanese
artefacts that were completely different to the work of artists in
western culture.

8. VINCENT VAN GOGH- THE
BLOOMING PLUM TREE
A key piece representing Van
Gogh's art work from the time that
clearly has a strong Japanese
influence was The Blooming Plum
Tree (1887).
It is made with oil on canvas, and is
an impressionist piece. It was
influence with the use of colours
keeping to the palette of reddish
brown tones in the tree and reds,
yellows and greens in the
background.

9. JAPANESE CULTURAL INFLUENCE
TODAY
Japanese cultural influence is still strong
today with western cultures trying to
recreate their own styles in textiles,
architecture and graphics today.
The elegance and uniqueness is still
admired today and is taken into by the
rich and couture fashion of something
representing beauty and elegance.

10. ARTIST COMPARISON
There are some similarities and differences between the two works I
have looked at as they both have a connection of influences from
ancient art and similarities in their work.
Van Gogh's Blooming Plum Tree was made in 1887 and Gustav Klimt's
Adele Bloch-Bauer was made later in 1907. So its possible that the
paints and textures used in Klimt's painting were less readily available
at the time of Van Gogh's piece and the idea of using golds and
silvers on a painting was much more uncommon until the Egyptian art
came into play, which is where this influence is likely to have come
from.
Van Gogh uses impressionism still in his style of work, whereas
Gustav has another more recognisable look to his work, however all
artwork is unoriginal as it will be taken from something before it
whether it has an obvious connection or one that is much more subtle
like the Egyptian influence in Klimt’s work.

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
The British Museum- http://www.britishmuseum.org/
British Museum-
http://www.aviewoncities.com/london/britishmuseum.htm
Egyptian Art-
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/egma/hd_egma.htm
V&A- http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/art-deco-global-
inspiration/
Art Deco Britannica- http://www.Britannica.com/art/Art-Deco
Japonisme- http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-
resources/glossary/j/japonisme
Ukiyo-e- http://web-
japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/ukiyoe/ukiyoe01.html
Japonisme Met Museum-
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/jpon/hdjpon.htm