Art Legends in History

Art legends in history often go beyond what you read in textbooks. Paintings can tell more about a society than words ever could. Many artists were historians as well as artists, and they used their paintings to tell stories. They painted pictures that would travel far and wide, telling stories from other countries as well as their own. There are many tales of art in history, and this article will explore a few of them

During his lifetime, Beuys was revered by his fellow artists, but his political and artistic commitments were not always as lauded. He helped found the Green Party and was a founding member of the German Student Party. While his work was very important to his life, he also hoped to make a difference by encouraging a sense of contemplation in the viewer. Beuys embraced both art and politics, and he envisioned many educational and political institutions in his mind.

Among his accomplishments was his educational work, which he performed in an unconventional way. He was a mentor to a new generation of German artists, and taught students such as Anselm Kiefer, Lothar Baumgarten, and Blinky Palermo. After a standoff with the school’s leadership over admissions policies, he was subsequently dismissed from his position as professor. During this time, Beuys developed an interest in myth-making and performed it to new extremes.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Leda and the Swan

While Leonardo da Vinci was not interested art legends in history in creating a figural painting of a swan, he did make the first sketch of Zeus and the transformation of the latter into a swan. Zeus’ transformation is impressive because of the fact that he is dwarfed by nature. Leda, on the other hand, conceived two eggs and hatched twins. Her composition reflects his knowledge of the myths of the time.

Unlike other works, Leonardo created two versions of Leda, one kneeling and one standing. In the standing version, she seems to be recoiling at the sight of the swan. She stands, her head modestly lowered. In the other, her body is largely mature and youthful, and she is surrounded by the most fertile landscape. He was only 54 years old when he painted the painting, but it is still an eloquent piece.

Sidney Nolan’s paintings based on the stories associated with the Australian outlaw and folk hero Ned Kelly

The artist’s series of paintings based on the stories associated with the outlaw and folk hero Ned Kelly dates from 1946-47 and most are now in the National Gallery of Australia’s collection. Nolan credited Henri Rousseau as his main source of inspiration. Similarly, the helmet Kelly wore was inspired by the Black Square by Kazimir Malevich.

While a prolific painter, Nolan drew a close relationship with John Reed and his wife Sunday. Both were a part of the ‘Heide Circle’, which also included Albert Tucker, Joy Hester, Arthur Boyd, and John Perceval. These artists were residents of the artist colony Open Country, which Nolan admired. The paintings of Ned Kelly are an excellent representation of this Australian icon.