Art Analysis Of 'Apollo And Diana Attacking The Children Of Niobe'

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Paul Jackson Pollock was a pillar of the Abstract expressionist movement. After confronting the weakness and vulnerability of humankind, he and other Abstract Expressionists paint their message on pieces of abstract art. Pollock is famous for his “drip painting” and forever changed Art history as it is one of the original bodies of work.“The Cathedral” created by Jackson Pollock (1912 - 1956) is such a piece that can be found in the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. Made in 1947, Pollock used Enamel and aluminum paint on canvas to create this abstract art. The flings, spurts, and drips of paints were intentionally used to incorporate Pollock’s view of the inside of an atom and how the cosmos are depicted. Though abstract, the artwork is quite noticeable …show more content…

In this depiction the Queen of Thebes, Niobe is protecting her youngest and last daughter from the wrath of Diana (Goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature) and Apollo (God of music, truth, and prophecy, etc.). By bragging of her wealth, power, fertility and refusing to offer sacrifices, Niobe offended Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, thus suffered a repercussion that led to the massacre of her eight children. As an additional punishment, Niobe was turned into marble and forever wept over her losses. It is a cruel representation of how frightening the gods in Greek culture can be when angered. The oil on canvas perfectly shows the despair felt by Niobe when she tried to be arrogant. Though famous, this painting did not win the Prix de Rome: the ultimate prize for a student of the French Académie Royale. Jacques-Louis David submitted this painting as his second entry for the Prix de Rome and went on a hunger strike after another failed entry. Convinced by a peer to stop his suicide attempt, David finally managed to win his ultimate prize. This painting is a sight to behold and the tragedy that struck can really be felt from the pictures. Hubris is a fatal weakness for characters in Greek mythology and it is evidently shown right in this painting. The realism illustrated on the oil painting of corpses and violence was done well as the bloody massacre will be imprinted into the viewer's mind. Each Greek mythology tells the story of a hero the lessons learned from their hubris. In this tale, Niobe paid the unbeatable price as her pride overcame her character and created this story in an oil

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