Similarity of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and Leonardo Da Vinci Paper Example

Introduction

Over the years artistic works have been appreciated for the sentimental value associated with them. These works of art bring out marvels which elicit mixed reactions from people who appreciate the skill put into developing it. Sor Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci have been acknowledged for their artistic portraits which are still in existence in this modern age. Although Sor Juana is a renowned writer, there have been speculations about her being associated with painting works. Most of her poetic writings have been speculated to have backing from the little paint work she has been doing. However, Leonardo Da Vinci is still a revered painting artist whose works involved bringing out humanism through painting (Leonardo et al., 2003). For instance, one revered painting by him, The Mona Lisa, is still studied to date. The skillful design of his painting preordained the development of what came into existence later on. Therefore, it can be concluded painting is a significant artistic work that was used by both Sor Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci, which brings out humanism.

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The following paper will seek to critically decipher and analyze the relationship which can be developed through the study of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and Leonardo Da Vinci artistic works. To facilitate the study, the following questions have to be answered:

1. What factor about their artwork is most interesting?

2. What did Sor Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci have in common?

3. What emotions do the artistic works of the individual artist seek to elicit about humanism?

Objective

To determine the extent of similarity portrayed by Son Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci with regards to their painting artwork.

Literature Review

The Culture of Art

Art was in existence in the ancient times, with a modern man after evolution developing visual objects taking different patterns with regards to the aesthetic need anticipated by the artist. Initially, art was developed by simple mechanisms and technology, for instance, the use of simple stone tools. Moving forward, modern technology has been incorporated in the art industry leading to the development of sophisticated artistic works. The modern artwork has embraced the use of computers to come up with designs to be used in the development of the final artistic products.

Sor Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci are some of the renowned artists in the early modern civilization whose works have been revered to date. Leonardo Da Vinci until today is revered as a high renaissance figure because of excellent painting works that had no match. He is the father of classical art that spread over entire Europe to the world. Some of his best works are considered timeless as they are still studied until today by modern artists to try and build on his artistic marvel (Leonardo et al., 2003). As a revered renaissance man, his artwork has been shown to have evolved from the early forebears of renaissance through chiaroscuro, linear perspective, humanism, and ability to express emotions. His particular precision since the ancient times made Leonardo Da Vinci stand out amongst other painters in different centuries. For instance, Leonardo devised the sfumato technique which was unique in the sense that life was expressed in the pictorial plane through the blend of glazes. Such a technique was never experienced before throughout the history of art. The masterpiece creations of Leonardo Da Vinci have survived through time establishing unique fame attributed to him in the painting works.

Sor Juana performed her works in the realm of painting, however, in small scale. Through the study of ancient artwork or revered artistic women, the final years of Sor Juana in literary works can be understood (Juana Ines de la Cruz & Cobb, 2001). The study focused on how she managed to bring out exemplary artistic work in the days when the society was patriarchal. Through studying the techniques employed by Sor Juana, for instance, metaphors, scholars now understand to some extent how she managed to bring about her creative work dating back to the seventeenth century.

Expression of Artwork

Art can be expressed in various forms according to the needs of the artist and the target audience for their work. Leonardo Da Vinci well-embraced expression of artwork through painting; however, Son Juana used painting at a smaller-scale with regards to her artistic literature. Leonardo's paintings have received many testimonials from renowned scholars including Eugene Delacroix, who has made it known the expression of Leonardo's painting artwork to be compared to none. The marvelous painting by Leonardo is attributed to his invention power, for instance, it is said that Leonardo used both sides of his brain hemisphere in designing his artistic works which came out with marvel. The technical means of his works is also a matter of concern. Leonardo was able to integrate various colors together to bring out various perceptions.

Moreover, his dexterity in drawing added to the marvel of the final product. In his work about Christ's baptism, Leonardo brings about a unique portrait in the landscape which was a drawing done in pen (Vinci, 2016). The foreshadowing characterized the drawing by the use of a transparent atmosphere. The idea was to modify phenomena which are perceived in graphic forms that are convincing.

Sor Juana painting inscription, although missing to date, is said to be commissioned by her spiritual daughter. These marvel painting portrayed her enshrinement to be a public figure in artistic creation works. One of her painting was portrayed in the convent of San Jeronimo. The paintings of San Juana also included the full-length ones, depicting men to be of high status in the society. However, her literary ability in poem works was depicted in the full-length portraits developed by herself. For instance, one of her painting portrayed her to be in the middle of her literary books and various equipment believed to be scientific that included glass vial, clock, and quill in her hand. San Juana is depicted to be posing gazing at her audience. The painting shows her to be touching her rosary but not in prayer, rather deeply involved in her literary study. San Juana added her signature at the end of her poems. The Miranda portrait developed by San Juana correlates to the sentimental value she gives out in her writing works.

Value of artwork

Both Sor Juana and Leonardo Da Vinci elicit sentimental value in their artistic works. The personalized value of their respective paintings develops feeling and various mixed emotions associated with the portraits. Leonardo's portrait of the "Last Supper" is among the paintings characterized by varied emotions. The scene depicts the attitudes of the disciples which is counterposed to that of Jesus. Judas was not depicted to be the traitor type as it is customary. However, the scene was marred by tension (Vinci, 2016). The painting elicits the emotion of agitation, but loneliness in part of Judas and Jesus who sit in isolation from the rest of the disciples. Mimicry and gesture depicted in the painting make this work to stand out as one of its kind in the history. In general, paintings by Leonardo elicited influence to the subsequent painters. San Juana works also elicited various emotions. However, on top of the agenda were traditional discourses present in the patriarchal society. Sor Juana elicits the feeling of feminism through rhetoric theory (Juana Ines de la Cruz & Peden, 1987). She tries to confront a society women are silenced in the quest for their liberation and assuming their rightful positions in the society. Sor Juana in her writing gives out the feeling of identity among women and portray men as traitors.

Conclusion

Artist works have been in existence all the way back through history when the use of simple stone tools did the simple artwork. Leonardo Da Vinci and Sor Juana are considered to be revered artists throughout the history of artworks. Although painting was used exclusively by Leonardo Da Vinci, Sor Juana is seen to be incorporating painting in some of her works. Both of the artists used their works to express feelings of sentimental value to their target audiences, and this is seen to be achieved effectively. The fact that in the modern times their artworks are still embraced is reason enough to support their skillful performances. Painting is an art used to elicit varied emotions as discussed, hence essential techniques to express the artist's ideas.

References

Juana Ines de la Cruz, & Cobb, C. (2001). The sonnets of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz in English verse. Lewiston, N.Y.: E. Mellen Press.

Juana Ines de la Cruz, & Peden, M. (1987). A woman of genius. Salisbury, Conn.: Lime Rock Press.

Leonardo, O'Malley, C., & Saunders, J. (2003). Leonardo da Vinci on the human body. New York: Gramercy Books.

Vinci, L. (2016). The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci. Dinslaken: Anboco.