Thematic Similarity in Art: Examining Two Works of Art - Essay Sample

Introduction

Art plays a critical role in the reflection of our history by depicting particular historical themes or even those that portray our daily sociocultural involvements. Besides, it is common to find out that a particular theme can be adequately expressed across various works of art, which implies that various works of art can have the same historical significance. This assignment seeks to examine two different works of art by two different artists to determine their thematic similarity and the possibility that they could be having the same historical significance. The two works of art selected for this assignment include Las Dos Fridas by Frida Kahlo and Self-Portrait by Judith Leister. Both artworks are similar in the way they recorded significant sociocultural impacts on society in their days.

Visual Analysis

Las Dos Fridas by Frida Kahlo is a double self-portraiture that portrays the two Fridas seated on a wooden bench with straw, and their hearts are depicted over the clothes. Their hearts are also shown connected by an artery, which symbolizes their unity besides embracing each other by the hands. However, each of the Fridas is uniquely dressed hence depicting different social identities because one is European embodiment, and the other is regarded as a Mexican Frida. The European Frida is portrayed to have bloodstains on her dress, and her heart is also broken while her Mexican version has a whole heart. Hence, the artwork gives the initial impression of a woman's duality because it is a depiction of the double vision that Frida has upon herself. The artwork depicts the impression of Frida that she is healthy and loving on one side while on the other, she has a heart that is completely broken. Hence, the bloodstains on the white dress of one of herself depict her acknowledgment of the pain and suffering she has experienced.

On the other hand, the Self-Portrait by Judith Leyster portrays Leyster as a comfortable woman who is in full control of her work, especially how she appears to be comfortably at her easel enjoying the final moments of her painting of a young violinist. The painting portrays her turned to face the audience like she has been interrupted in the course of her work even though she has a warm look on her face that appears welcoming. The artwork portrays her exceptional mastery of the art. She appears to hold eighteen brushes in her left hand with a palette through which she has looped her thumb while she is holding one bush in her right hand in a position seemingly ready and ready composed to make its mark. In the portrait, Leyster is portrayed wearing a formal ruff and a luxurious dress which she might have hardly worn in real life while painting, although it is a sign of her financial breakthrough and social status. Hence, Leyster made the Self-Portrait to affirm her social status as a talented female artist by showing off her skills.

Therefore, the two artworks have the same visual context as both artists have managed to draw their images to depict their social status and personal feelings through art. Just like Frida made the artwork portray the dualist perspective that she is living with, Leyster's artwork also exhibits her potential as a talented female artist. Even her dress in the portrait dictates her financial success as an artist. Both artists have painted themselves in the artwork with different clothing that can hardly be imagined under normal circumstances. Frida painted herself in two different clothing of European and Mexican affiliation. In contrast, Leyster painted herself in clothes that could be perceived as her best and expensive to wear during a painting session.

Historical Analysis

The painting by Judith Leyster Self-Portrait represents the baroque period in the history of art, mainly because it is not a religious painting like most of the paintings of its time. Hence, the portrait of Self-Portrait is specifically associated with the Dutch baroque or rather the Northern baroque period in the seventeenth century. This is the period when the Netherlands had split away from the control of the Spanish and set up an independent state in which there was the merchant social class that had a particular interest in the purchase of artworks. Hence, the Northern baroque period was the most appropriate time in history to be an artist, mainly if one had an opportunity to be part of the guild, which was a guarantee to have students(Barry). The guild was more like a trade union; an association of artists, which was a platform for recognition for art and Judith Leyster, did join the St. Luke's Guild of Harlem painters.

That historical aspect is essential because in entire Europe, including Holland, few professional female artists and Leyster were one of the two women who joined the guild of Harlem painters throughout the seventeenth century. Hence, the portrait represents a significant time in history when Leyster emerged as one of the talented female painters of the 17th century (Barry). The painting also signifies the tremendous professional success that Leyster achieved in Harlem, which was not common for female artists in the seventeenth century.

On the other hand, the artwork by Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas, was painted in 1939, which was a significant year that was also considered a central point for the universal and Mexican history. Some of the global historical events marked the destiny of the world for several years, for instance, the discovery of the German physicist; Otto Hahn, who discovered the atomic bomb formula used during the Second World War. Generally, the painting is a representation of an era in which the European environment was covered by an atmosphere of fear by the threats of the atomic bomb that had been created by the Germans and the consequent ascension of the Nazi to power (Tibol). That was also a time in history in which several Spaniards were exiled in Mexico due to the Spanish Civil, and so were the large groups of Spanish exiles. The Spanish exile is an essential historical aspect depicted in the painting because it was distinguished in arts due to its complexity.

However, the Mexican history depicted in the painting implies a time of local artistic culture that resulted from a revolutionary process and was identified as the Mexican School of Painting. Shortly before the era in which the painting was made, the Mexican art was in search of national identity in which the muralism movement took murals to public buildings where they narrated about New Mexico that took up the resources as well as the culture and pre-Hispanic mythology (Tibol). The artwork of Frida Kahlo the Two Fridas was made due to the artistic era of Surrealism in which an exhibition was organized in which internationally recognized artists took part, like Diego Rivera. Surrealism came after the muralism even though it faced the hardship of acceptance of new currents that came from outside Mexico (Tibol). However, Frida Kahlo claimed that her painting The Two Fridas did not depict surreal style, although there are several elements of the method that are evident in the artwork.

Sociocultural Identity and Shared Theme

The two works have similarities in how they shape feminist identities as they portray outstanding female artists when women hardly recorded success as artists. Judith Leyster emerged as one of the successful female artists of the northern baroque in the 17th century, and her painting of the Self-Portrait is exemplary of her efforts to join the guild of St. Luke (Barry). Similarly, Frida Kahlo enhances the feminist identity as she presents herself as a strong woman who is capable of duality by expressing the double vision she has on herself. The two artworks are similar in their depiction of the theme of self-preservation. Judith Leyster and Frida Kahlo are two female artists who have emerged as successful and strong women of their time, and they advertise themselves, especially Leyster or portray a moment of emotional preservation like Frida Khalo (Tibol). Hence, both women have used their self-portraits to preserve their healthy female perspectives.

The two artworks of Judith Leyster and Frida Kahlo compare in contemporary society because they embody the human nature of self-preservation either in a moment of memory or a time of preservation like significant life events. Hence, self- preservation is a concept that would still live through time. The paintings of self-portraits of Judith Leyster and Frida Khalo are significant representations of self-preservation even though they are artworks from very distinct timelines despite their similarity in portraying the women as reliable willed (Barry). The self-portraits of the two artists still have a cultural relevance in the contemporary society as they will forever remain part of art and routine lifestyle (Helland 9). The two paintings by Frida Khalo and Judith Leyster are pieces of art that are emotionally driven. Even though the emotions are different, they relate personally to the daily personalities of happiness, sadness, strength, or weaknesses.

The Self-Portrait portrays a young woman with the passion and love for painting hence showing the joy in the fulfillment of one's desire. However, the Two Fridas represent both the battles that Frida is dealing within the inner and outer hence time in which life can change either for the better or, the worse. Therefore, the two artworks are relevant in contemporary society by emphasizing the value of staying true to oneself in a community in which what is right rules out true beauty.

Third Work of Art

The third work of art that is chosen to show how it parallels the works by Judith Leyster and Frida Khalo is the art by Leonardo da Vinci; Mona Lisa who has remained outstanding because of the smile depicted on Mona Lisa's face on the painting as well as her unproven identity which made the painting a source of fascination. The art presents a woman in a half-body portrait, which is an aspect that gives little sense of the achievement of Leonardo. Just like the two other paintings earlier, this painting portrays a standard profile pose that became a convention for all portraits in Italian art even in the 21st century (Atalay). Hence, the portrait of Mona Lisa is the visual preservation of happiness as one of the essential daily personalities. Similarly, the two paintings of Judith Leyster and Frida Kahlo depict various characters of everyday life, especially among women and related to a contemporary society based on their outstanding thematic significance of self-preservation.

However, the artwork of Mona Lisa is parallel to the other paintings on various aspects. The first aspect from which the art is different is that it is from another time in history, even though it has almost the same significance in contemporary society. Also, the painting is parallel in the sense that it is drawn from a second party, unlike the others, which were self-portraits (Atalay). The portrait was drawn during the Renaissance period when only wealthy merchants could afford to purchase paintings. However, having a portrait of an individual image was an aspect of desire for several people.

Moreover, the theme depicted in the paintings is still essential today because all the paintings portray an aspect of self-preservation, which enhances prestige in the current society, just like in the conventional ages. The arts provide an exceptional presentation of women in the community (Atalay). For instance, Mona Lisa was painted in a manner that was different from the style in which women were traditionally painted in Italy. Similarly, the painting of the Two Fridas portrays the dualist perspective of Frida, who is standing as a strong woman when her heart is also torn apart. Whereas, the painting of Self-Portrait by Judith Leyster is more of self-promotion as she painted...