The Painting 'Death of Elaine' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Painting 'Death of Elaine' - Essay Example The essay "The Painting 'Death of Elaine' " discovers the painting of Home Watson. Elaine died on a boat with a letter in her hands addressed to the man she loved enough to die for. She remains a true idol of love and the decisions that surround love. Her story inspired the artist Homer Watson to make a painting of her body lying in the boat and holding a goodbye love letter in her hands. Like any other piece of art, the painting tells its story. In interpretation of this piece of art, Thompson’s ideas on the connection of art with history are important. The painting death of Elaine is a unique piece, carrying ideological of history and the social group it belongs to, and expressed in a unique style. Many painting that were done in the ancient times are no more relevant. However, death of Elaine painting, done along time ago, is still a meaningful painting today. In fact, present day painters still borrow much o their work from this painting. Homer did a painting of oil on can vas. The painting carries a heavy message. Thompson argues that every piece of work links closely with the history. Each piece of artwork is unique and carries its message. He starts from explaining what the purpose of art in society is. He describes art as a form of ideological expression that seeks to answer the same question that scientists seek answers for. He explains that although art may not present scientific ideas that need practical approval, it serves to express the consciousness with which man reasons with at different times. Science seeks to provide a direction on how to live life. Art in its own unique way seeks to give the same direction (Thompson 217). Thompson illustrates that art can address two different aspects of social themes. It can address the beliefs, doctrines, or seek to handle propaganda that exists in society. In some cases, people think that some pieces of art lack social reference. Art can carry social ideologies that society does not yet acknowledge. Some forms of art directly address the ideologies that society appreciates. Thompson asserts that the indirect way of addressing ideologies serves better when an individual views art historically. He acknowledges that there are different styles applied in art. There are various forms each of them is predominant during a specific time in history. However, he realizes that societies advance at different rates. Therefore, each of the various forms of art belongs to a certain time in the history of that society. The ideologies expressed in art belong to a certain social group (Thompson 222). Different social groups have different ideologies (Thompson 220). Thompson argues that each form of art must receive an interpretation of the sociological and historical ideologies it carries. Lack of suck kind of interpretation separates the piece of art from the world of the artist. He adds that any form of art must reflect some cultural and economic aspects of its time. From such an analysis, Tho mpson then asserts that any piece of artwork carries its unique message. According to him, generalizations in art or continuation do not exist. Each artist does a unique thing relevant to his or her time. Each piece of art is important. With such an understanding, nobody should discredit any form of art or compare different pieces of work. In addition, there are no aspects of progress in art. Traditional artists did their unique forms of art at that time. Modern artists on the other hand, are doing something different and unique to their time. It is wise to appreciate each of work and