Allegory Good Government

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While researching the Medieval Ages I saw the mural painting of The Effects of Good Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti created in 1338. After researching this piece, I learned The Allegory of Good and Bad Government is a series of three fresco panels painted in the Sala Dei Nove from around February 26, 1338 to May 29, 1339. A fresco is a technique of mural painting that involves freshly laid plaster. Water is used as the vehicle for the pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall. This is why the location of the fresco has not been moved since it was created back in 1338. The series consists of six different scenes: Allegory of Good Government, Allegory of Bad Government, Effects …show more content…

The generally accepted classifications were early Christian art, Migration Period art, Byzantine art, Insular art, Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic art (reference, textbook). This specific piece falls under the category of gothic art. (explain why more) Although the painting is not architecture, in the actual painting displays a new type of architecture. This architecture implies town halls, mainly built in Gothic style. Town halls were meant mainly to show the city’s power and knowledge, so a lot of attention was given to their decorations as well. Up until this time, painting was mainly related to religious buildings, thus the themes of the paintings were also religion related. This shows how during this time period; Europe was headed towards the renaissance. The period between 950 and 1250 is often called the Central or Romanesque Period of the Middle Ages. (reference) A revival of intellectual pursuits began in some parts of Europe, and from that time it may be said that is the Renaissance, or new birth of art and letters. Leading to a change, from art being focused on religious figures to government, such as this mural. (Rephrase) Although, this painting was created during the medieval ages, it has a strong pull towards the renaissance …show more content…

First, the painting focuses on the importance of a well-run government, rather than religion, which was very important during this time. On top of this, I like that the murals are a set of six individual paintings all portraying a message. While Effects of Good Government is important for thinking about historical and contemporary life in Siena, its wider political resonance cannot be ignored, especially now for the United States after the recent presidential election. This past election may have been one of the most important elections in history. “American society and European are increasingly dismantled by social and economic inequality due to the dwindling of a middle class because of the absence of regulation—the un-governing of government—that allows private interests to prevail above all else.” (reference) The United States elected a President “who beat the system,” someone who has no political experience and did not climb the political ladder over the years, but rather was rich enough to afford to run for President. On top of this, with the election of Trump there have been riots and uncovering of racism, sexism, etc. in the United States. All of these problems have the potential to tear out country apart. This makes the series of murals even more important by analyzing what could occur with the effect of a good and bad government. This mural is able to capture the important balance between citizens and

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