Claude Monet is the most influential Impressionist. His beautiful images of water lilies and natural settings are dappled in light and dense, colorful brushstrokes. He influenced other Impressionist like Degas and Renoir. These artists form the trifecta of European Impressionists. Art history would argue that Cezanne may have been the first Impressionist, but he was more of an influence on the movement than an active participant. In America, John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Childe Hassam used the rules and guidelines of Impressionism to create their own distinct and iconic masterpieces.

The mythology of Van Gogh coupled with his highly expressive painting style have formed a legacy that is both impressive and startling. Was Van Gogh actually crazy or just misunderstood? In 2009, two art historians shocked the world by alleging that Van Gogh’s most famous mentally troubled action of cutting his own ear off had actually been an elaborate story perpetrated by Vincent to cover up a heat-of-the-moment transgression Paul Gauguin had committed when the two men were fighting. The art world rejected the claim insisting that Van Gogh-s crazed image be kept intact.

Whether regarded as crazed genius or talented victim, Van Gogh’s lifestyle and accomplishments in painting and drawing confirm that he shall forever be remembered as the talented artist with the troubled mind.

Some of the more well known works include The Arrest of Christ, The Derision of Christ, and Christ on the Cross. In true Baroque fashion, the imagery, though high detailed, was painted with dark tones and elongated figuration. Dyck does pay careful attention in his biblical works to differentiate them from his portraiture work. In his portraits, focus of the face was key. In these works, the opposite occurred. He paid careful attention to ensure that shadows were cast on the faces. This gave focus to the subject matter he conveyed rather than the individual figures within each piece. Dyck did, however, give focus to Jesus by highlighting his face. These pieces are great examples of how greatly Christianity influenced the Elizabethan Era Art.

One way an artist could sustain themselves was by having a patron; a wealthy and often influential person who was willing to financially support the artist. In return, the artist would create works of art requested by the patron. Some of the greatest artistic works in history came into being this way. Leonardo Da Vinci was often employed by aristocrats and painted The Last Supper for the Duke of Milan, while most of Michelangelos’ masterpieces were commissioned by popes, the church having been one of the lead patrons of the arts for centuries.

The downside to patronage was that it kept the artist bound by an agreement to create whatever work of art their sponsor wanted. The advantage was that as long as the artist had a patron, they didn’t have to worry about money or supplies, nor did they have to find work to support their hobby, they could be an artist full time.

When looked at as a whole we can see a more or less natural progression in art through the ages with increasing realism.Additional information can be found at http://unclerave.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/cryptoquote-spoiler-052611/. Suddenly art shifts from a focus on the past to a focus on the immediate time of the painter in question and a sudden mutation from objective realism to the depiction of the subjective internal experience.

Before Manet we have classical art, realism, the neo-classical and such. After Manet we suddenly and rapidly have Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism; in a word, Modernism.

Manet made a radical departure from conventional painting by depicting scenes contemporary to his time. This in itself was seminal. But in his paintings we can discern both the realism that led up to him and the Impressionism that quickly followed him. In Manet classical art overlaps with all that came after.

Those called to the arts spiritual souls who express beauty captured from communing with the deep things of human consciousness. They reveal aspects of the human mind that allow us to transcend the mundane which holds us to a limited three dimensional state. They reflect the genius that exists in every human mind that lies sleeping until triggered. Visual art for your eye’s to partake in. There is musical art for your ears to drink in. There are aroma therapies, an art form for your nose to take in. The culinary arts present tasty treats to tantalize our tongues. There are massage art therapies that seduce us into a state of Zen and bliss. During these times of heightened awareness we are opened to the beauty and love in life.