How Did Renaissance Influence Modern Art?

In the United States, the Renaissance had a great influence on modern art because it was a natural way in which artistic expression was extended. During this period, human beings were shifting from the dominant religious ideas to the realism aspect, which was highly reflected in the work of art. This clearly indicates that the work of art during the renaissance and modernist era were very distinct. To this end, this assignment has a purpose of comparing two works of art, which are selected from the Museum of Fine Arts based in Houston. In particular, the comparison will consider the way the nineteenth-century artists began to embrace the current urban spaces in modernity from the old academic works. The two artworks being compared are the Berthe

Morisot, The Basket Chair, and the Gustave Caillebotte, The Orange Trees, 1878, which are both placed in room 222 of the museum. Therefore, the comparison discusses that the male artists were more effective at this time.
In this painting, it is clear that the style being adopted is that of impressionism. This is a style in painting, which originates from France during the 1870s. The style was based on expressing the emotion or experience by trying to depict a particular scene accurately. An impressionistic painter normally uses a very distinct method and providing distinct qualities that help the artists reflect him or herself. In reference to The Basket Chair and The Orange Tress, one realizes that they are impressionist works made up of oils on canvas. When compared, both works juxtapose each other in many ways. While making the comparison, one realizes that the differences results from each artist’s level in the society. Also, modernism has a role in each piece, which also influences the way the composition has been executed.
In the present and past society, it is known that personal status usually contribute to gender and class. In this regard, it becomes possible to realize the difference in the way people of different classes and genders made their work distinct. In the two paintings, the artists’ social status was very helpful in developing their subject matter. For instance, Berthe Morisot’s painting was influenced by her social status. During her time, she was one of the few female painters; at that time, painting was a rare occupation for females. In particular, females were dominant in domestic chores like managing their household and caring for their children. Interestingly, the presence of a child in the painting together with the paint chair also reveals the place of a woman. The paint reflects what any woman would do or be close to, a child. Also, her social status plays a significant role in enabling her to be a painter. At the time, her father was a high-ranked government official and also her grandfather was an influential painter. Her sister, too, was a painter. Although at this time women had not found it easy to partake in painting, Berthe social status was significant in helping her earn respect from her talent.
When compared to Gustave, Berthe’s work is not that much interesting. The former is a male. Interestingly the two were members of the social class ranging from middle to bourgeoisie. However, the female painters were not enjoying similar freedom when related to that of men. In different instances, women were to have the company of a man or it was thought they were prostitutes. Women’s rights were less when compared to that of men. When it came to men, they had the ability to flaunter, but for women, doing this gave the perception of wanting sex. Such inequalities provide the maple painters in France with the chance of developing paint with a diversified range of subject matter. This resulted in their works being more stimulating and providing different possibilities. Relating to the painting by these two artists, the result of male superiority has favored the quality of Gustave’s subject matter in his painting, The Orange Trees. This painting is more interesting when compared with that of Morisot, The Basket Chair.
The quality of Gustave’s work is achieved through orderliness.

In Morisot work, there is a sleeping woman who is not clearly observed. There is a watering can in front of the child. This can be an illusion of the importance of watering a child to flourish. This painting is different from that of Gustave’s. The later has a garden that is pruned. The trees are also manicured and appear to be swaying with the breeze. The flowers are tightly collected in a corner. Such arrangement demonstrates order, and purpose. Orderliness manifests status and class by linking coordinately. Each arrangement indicates class and status and hence represents the corners of the life. Ranging from tables to chairs and clothes worn by man and the well enclosed tress that are sparkling white and well-polished, orderliness among males is revealed. Conversely, The Basket Chair reveals a different theme. It indicates that life is disorderly, undeveloped, and that the females are still developing. This is contrary to “The Orange Trees,” which reveals a fully developed stage. With the “Basket Chair,” life is portrayed as a continuing growth and that it is untidy because it was never finished. The flowers compare to roses, while the other roses have overly matured and hence, they will die. The child will later grow into a woman and die too. Precisely, the two paints differentiate the development in a men life and that of women. The life of males is well developed than that of females, which is disorderly and

unfinished.
The experience of modernism is different for males and females (Metropolitan Museum of Art and Moffett 200). At the time this painting was being done, modernism was taking place in France. The country was adopting new technologies like the car and train. At this time, women could not have a sense of modernity. If they were to experience it, it was likely that they would be disregarded. Through modernism a broad subject was opened in painting. This was fortunate for men and but not for women, who remained on one side of the window. Men had the freedom in their subject matter. Through modernism, more barriers were built for women to withhold them. It also connected society by ensuring that classes were integrated. The clarity of the paintings indicates how modernism was favoring men. As women still portray their lives us unfinished during the modernism era, the live of men was already finished.
The way the painters have executed composition is also the most significant in their works. Through composition, different pieces have been tied together with other factors that have been used in communicating the personal views. Also, it is through composition that the painter’s characteristics have been portrayed. Impressionist is used to lay the colors side by side on their canvas. This was done with the aim of developing an appearance of blending colors. Gustave’s use of pure colors helps in ensuring that he shines his vibrancy. This attribute makes his work better. On the other hand, the female painter’s work does not blend the pure colors making the work appear unattractive and hence portraying inferiority of females.
Morisot’s painting utilizes colors like blue green, yellow, and orange. The paint is used thinly in a big brush making her color look dull. The manner of hatching the brush across, results in a shadow revealing the depth of the foreground. In her piece, there is evidence of dry brush strokes. The figure entices the viewer to stare at the onlooker. The painting appears very freeing indicating what she longs for. Her painting is like a sketch for a quality painting. Conversely, Gustave’s painting uses different colors that appear more vibrant. The viewer is easily enticed to appear in painting because there is space to be occupied. The paint used is thick to portray detail. In this way the painting has easily captured the theme of modernism, particularly in refining the leisure activities.
The set up in the museum is well organized. It flows nicely because the painting display is in one room. The paintings are hung opposite to each other. The walls are orange in color and hence, resemble the sun. The coloring of the wall enhances the works in the room. The colors also increase the warm feeling and allows for natural light to penetrate through.
To sum up, the displaying methods and execution, Gustave’s painting, “The Orange Trees” results a stronger piece because it has no limitations experienced by Morisot. The latter is a female who was compiled to paint like other females. This was usually in home interiors. Gustave’s execution method is cleaner and enticing and hence his piece is very successful when compared to that of Morisot.