Artist Henri Matisse, an Influential Modernist Painter

Artist Henri Matisse, an Influential Modernist Painter Henri Émile Benoà ®t Matisse (December 31, 1869 – November 3, 1954) is considered one of the most influential painters of the 20th century, and one of the leading Modernists. Known for his use of vibrant colors and simple forms, Matisse helped to usher in a new approach to art. Matisse believed that the artist must be guided by instinct and intuition. Although he began his craft later in life than most artists, Matisse continued to create and innovate well into his 80s. Early Years Henri Matisse was born on December 31, 1869, in Le Cateau, a small town in northern France. His parents, Émile Hippolyte Matisse and Anna Gà ©rard, ran a store that sold grain and paint. Matisse was sent to school in Saint-Quentin, and later to Paris, where he earned his capacità ©- a type of law degree. Returning to Saint-Quentin, Matisse found a job as a law clerk. He came to despise the work, which he considered pointless. In 1890, Matisse was stricken by an illness that would forever alter the young mans life and the world of art. Late Bloomer Weakened by a severe bout of appendicitis, Matisse spent nearly all of 1890 in his bed. During his recuperation, his mother gave him a box of paints to keep him occupied. Matisses new hobby was a revelation. Despite having never shown any interest in art or painting, the 20-year old suddenly found his passion. He would later say that nothing had ever truly interested him before, but once he discovered painting, he could think of nothing else. Matisse signed up for early-morning art classes, leaving him free to continue the law job he so hated. After a year, Matisse moved to Paris to study, eventually earning admission to the leading art school. Matisses father disapproved of his sons new career but continued to send him a small allowance. Student Years The bearded, bespectacled Matisse often wore a serious expression and was anxious by nature. Many fellow art students thought Matisse resembled a scientist more than an artist and thus nicknamed him the doctor. Matisse studied three years with French painter Gustave Moreau, who encouraged his students to develop their own styles. Matisse took that advice to heart, and soon his work was being displayed at prestigious salons. One of his early paintings, Woman Reading, was bought for the home of the French president in 1895. Matisse formally studied art for nearly a decade (1891-1900). While attending art school, Matisse met Caroline Joblaud. The couple had a daughter, Marguerite, born in September 1894. Caroline posed for several of Matisses early paintings, but the couple separated in 1897. Matisse married Amà ©lie Parayre in 1898, and they had two sons together, Jean and Pierre. Amà ©lie would also pose for many of Matisses paintings. Wild Beasts Invade the Art World Matisse and his group of fellow artists experimented with different techniques, distancing themselves from traditional art of the 19th century. Visitors to a 1905 exhibition at the Salon dAutomne were shocked by the intense colors and bold strokes used by the artists. An art critic dubbed them les fauves, French for the wild beasts. The new movement came to be known as Fauvism (1905-1908), and Matisse, its leader, was considered King of the Fauves. Despite receiving some scathing criticism, Matisse continued to take risks in his painting. He sold some of his work but struggled financially for a few more years. In 1909, he and his wife could finally afford a house in the Paris suburbs. Influences on Matisses Style Matisse was influenced early in his career by Post-Impressionists Gauguin, Cà ©zanne, and van Gogh. Mentor Camille Pissarro, one of the original Impressionists, gave advice that Matisse embraced: Paint what you observe and feel. Travel to other countries inspired Matisse as well, including visits to England, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Russia, and later, Tahiti. Cubism (a modern art movement based upon abstract, geometric figures) influenced Matisses work from 1913-1918. These WWI years were difficult for Matisse. With family members trapped behind enemy lines, Matisse felt helpless, and at 44, he was too old to enlist. The darker colors used during this period reflect his dark mood. The Master By 1919, Matisse had become internationally known, exhibiting his work throughout Europe and in New York City. From the 1920s on, he spent much of his time in Nice in the south of France. He continued to create paintings, etchings, and sculptures. Matisse and Amà ©lie drifted apart, separating in 1939. Early in WWII, Matisse had a chance to flee to the United States but chose to stay in France. In 1941, after successful surgery for duodenal cancer, he nearly died from complications. Bedridden for three months, Matisse spent the time developing a new art form, which became one of the artists trademark techniques. He called it drawing with scissors, a method of cutting out shapes from painted paper, later assembling them into designs. Chapel in Vence Matisses final project (1948-1951) was creating the decor for a Dominican chapel in Vence, a small town near Nice, France. He was involved in every aspect of design, from the stained-glass windows and crucifixes to the wall murals and priests robes. The artist worked from his wheelchair and used his color-cutout technique for many of his designs for the chapel. Matisse died on November 3, 1954, after a brief illness. His works remain a part of many private collections and are on exhibit in major museums throughout the world.

The Importance of Setting in Jack Londons To Build a Fire and Kate Chopins The Storm Essay Example

The Importance of Setting in Jack Londons To Build a Fire and Kate Chopins The Storm Essay Example The Importance of Setting in Jack Londons To Build a Fire and Kate Chopins The Storm Paper The Importance of Setting in Jack Londons To Build a Fire and Kate Chopins The Storm Paper Essay Topic: To Build a Fire A good writer’s depiction of setting positions the reader right into the story. In To Build a Fire by Jack London, the setting plays a significant role throughout the entire short story. London uses certain techniques to establish the atmosphere of the story. By introducing his readers to the setting, prepares them for a tone that is depressed and  frightening. Isolated by the hostile environment of the Yukon in sub-freeing temperatures, a man falls victim to the unrelenting and unforgiving power of nature, London shows us how the main character of the story is completely unaware of his surroundings. The only world the man is truly accustomed to is his own. Never being exposed to such a harsh climate draws one to conclude that the environment is the determining factor of his survival, as well as his dogs too. Anything that the man and his dog come into contact with creates an anticipation for disaster in the story. In Kate Chopins’ â€Å"The Storm,† the setting in this story creates the perfect environment for an adulterous affair. Chopin not only creates the perfect setting but also uses the setting as a symbol of the affair. The presence of the storm is not merely coincidental. It is the driving force behind the story and the affair. As the storm begins, climaxes and ends so does the affair and the story. From the opening we see that Chopin intends to use the storm to move the story forward. Jack Londons â€Å"To Build A Fire,† takes place on a trail in the Yukon. This setting is vital to the story because nature, the cold and the snow become the main character’s worst enemy. The first two paragraphs are devoted to the storys setting and forthcoming action. It is clear that it is mid-winter in the Arctic during a cold snap, that the man is traveling alone, and that he is about to veer from the established route to his destination (the main trail along the Yukon) to take a seldom used but shorter trail across country. The day is clear, but at this latitude and season the sun remains below the horizon, and thus there seemed an intangible pall over the face of things, a subtle gloom that made the day dark. The man, however, did not worry about the absence of the sun, since he knows that it will reappear in a few days. But, we realize almost immediately, the man has only a superficial knowledge of the Arctic. As he stands on a bank of the Yukon about to plunge into an almost absolute wilderness, he has little or no understanding either of his immense isolation relative to his surroundings or of the extreme danger posed by the cold snap. But all of this, London comments at the beginning of the third paragraph, The mysterious, far-reaching hair-line trail, the absence of sun from the sky, the tremendous cold, and the strangeness and weirdness of it all, made no impression on the man. Thus, the man also knows, in addition to the fact the sun will reappear, that it is fifty degrees below zero, but he does not know the meaning of this fact, it portends death for anyone who makes himself vulnerable to its ability to kill. Fifty degrees below zero was to him just precisely fifty degrees below zero. That there should be anything more to it than that was a thought that never entered his head.   During hi s journey, the man gets his feet wet as he falls through the ice into the water of a hot spring. Because of the severity of the cold, the man’s life depends upon his ability to adapt to his surroundings. After one, half-successful fire-starting endeavor, and several other pitiful attempts, the hopelessness of the man’s lone struggle against the hostile environment of the Yukon begins to become apparent, and the man at last â€Å"grows calm and decides to meet death with dignity. † Setting is important to this story, without it, the reader would not learn of the common ignorant human behavior when it comes to survival in an indifferent environment. The setting does not regard the man as important and is unconcerned with his suffering and death. Chopin uses setting to not only influence the reader’s senses, but also, to illustrate the actions and feelings of her characters, to thrust the reader into the sense of being in the storm that is baring down on her characters. This story takes place in a small town located in Louisiana, At Friedheimers store, but the most important setting is Calixta and Bobinots home, when Bobinot is not there. The home itself isnt described that much: it has a Small front gallery†¦ dining room, the sitting room, the general utility room, and a bedroom that holds a white, monumental bed and looked dim and mysterious. The story begins with Bobinot and Bibi inside the local store. As they attempt to leave they notice storm clouds approaching the town. Deciding to wait out the storm, they remain inside. Meanwhile, Calixta is at home sewing and unaware of the storm. Soon realizing the storm is approaching, she begins frantically running about the house closing windows and doors and retrieving clothes left on the porch. Setting in this story is the catalyst to the passion that occurs between Alcee and Calixta. The storm occurs just as Alcee rides by. The storm forces Alcee and Calixta into the house. Chopin describes the lovers’ passion within the storm, â€Å"They did not heed the crashing torrents, and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms. Even as the storm was intense, as was the lovers’ passion so as the storm begins to tire itself out so do the lovers. The growl of the thunder was distant and passing away. The rain beat softly on the shingles, inviting them to drowsiness and sleep. As the storm ends and the land is renewed, The rain was over and the sun was turning the glistening green world into a place of gems,† so it seems is the characters’ relationships. The setting of this story seems to act as a catalyst for these two individuals to look back at their past together and to relive it. Alcee and Calixta are not only trapped in the house during the storm, they almost seem forced into the bedroom, pushed into each others arms and then onto the bed. The storm almost seems to have more of a presence than the house. The storm is taking place during the important sexualized scene, keeping Alcee and Calixta within the house, and Bobinot and Bibi outside of it. When the storm dissipates, Alcee and Calixta must go their separate ways, seemingly much richer for their encounter. When Bobinot reenters his own home, he has no idea of the torrid encounter that just happened there. The storm serves as a plot device. Had Calixtas husband and son not been caught in a storm, Alcee and she would not have been able to have their torrid affair in Calixtas home (and in her and her husbands bed, no less). Every storm creeps upon us, hits a luminous climax, and then fades away into nothingness. Chopin accurately depicts the way that a storm can happen in a person s life. She uses symbolism to depict the feelings of the relationships, which are as unpredictable as that of this raging storm. The setting in this story creates the perfect environment for an adulterous affair. No matter what type of literature is being read, setting always plays a key element in producing the desired effect. Jack Londons short story To Build A Fire,† and Kate Chopins â€Å"The Storm,† provide excellent examples of this. In Londons’ story, The setting is one of the northernmost most areas of the earth, the Yukon. This setting brings a sense of harsh reality and an idea of how fragile the human body is to the piece. The Storm by Kate Chopin revolves around a setting that is both exciting and enticing. Chopins portrayal of the storms setting reinforces the plots main thematic elements through descriptive imagery that coincides with the characters emotions throughout the story. The characters in this story, Alcee and Calixta, each make their own best of the situation as the storm hits. The storm is described as a violent one, with thrashing winds and blinding rain. The cracking of the thunder is frightening to Calixta, and jump-starts an emotional reunion between her and Alcee. Without these settings, the purpose of the stories in itself are demolished. As well, no events in the stories may have even happened.

Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 17

Religion - Essay Example The experience is the troubles that people encounter and eventually abandons their old living habits and follows what their religion teaches them. In the section, â€Å"Theories of religion† (starting from page 8), Flood explains that there are three different schools of thought in how to define religion. Summarize these theories and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. These theories describe religion to be politics in the other way round, religion is a gene and defined religion to be a cultural response to life (Crockett 14). The first schools gave an illustration that based on the aesthetic reduction. The meaning of this is that religion is part of the cultural mechanism that makes sure that the transmission of genes to the other generations is successful. Explanation of how living being come into existence is specified in a range of constraint, this is the advantage of these theories. The limitation for this is that religious resources that pertain human lives in most instances went against the grain of some scholarships. Correct what Flood describes here with your own experience of religion. Does it resonate? Why or not? Basing on what Floods description, it does not resonate with my experience of religion. The reason behind this is that religions are a unifying, purifying, and holy dominion that brings people closer to God (Crockett 15). Floods highlight does not reveal the genesis of man. Instead, he relates with biological aspects that do not exist in the desired religion.

Air Pollution Cause and Effects Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Air Pollution Cause and Effects - Research Paper Example It’s not healthy for those who are not sick or old too and the problem is not getting any better. Air pollution is also affecting the earth’s climate, causing it to warm. The consequences of this reality are far-reaching, cataclysmic and are happening now. Hundreds of coal-fired electric power plants and other smoke-stack industries along with hundreds of thousands of vehicles contribute to a significant public health problem by emitting the waste fumes produced by burning fossil fuels. Many studies have acknowledged that a wide array of undesirable health issues occur due to air pollution exposure including higher instances of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, atherosclerosis, emergency room trips and premature death. Exposure to the particulate matter found in air pollution has also been connected with low birth weights, birth defects and premature births. About 38 million kids are estimated to live in air polluted areas. Several types of ill nesses linked with air pollutants have risen dramatically the past 30 years. During that time, though the occurrences of death from childhood cancers have decreased considerably due to advances in medical science, the cancer incidence rates among children have gone up by a full third during that same period. â€Å"It is well known that children and infants are uniquely at risk from air pollution both because of physiological susceptibility and greater relative exposure.† (Gasping, 2011). For example, children breathe more air and inhale more pollution as a ratio of body weight as compared to adults. In addition, children play outside much more than adults. And, because their smaller bodies are still developing, kids are more vulnerable to the health problems caused by poisons in the air, principally cancers and reproductive issues which they and their children will suffer with later on in life. In addition, children have a longer life expectancy than their parents therefore h ave a better chance to develop illness from exposure to air pollutant toxins during their lifetime. (Gasping, 2011). Simply but factually stated, air pollution is causing the earth’s climate to change. Greenhouses gasses such as carbon dioxide, the most prevalent pollutant, are warming the earth. Basically, the greenhouse effect occurs by this method: When sunlight penetrates the atmosphere and strikes the surface of the earth not all solar energy from the sun is absorbed. Roughly a third of this energy it is bounced back into space. When living creatures exhale they emit carbon dioxide, it occurs naturally. The amount of naturally occurring carbon dioxide maintains a delicate balance with other forces of nature allowing one-third of energy to escape which has kept the earth’s climate fairly stable for thousands of years. Air pollution gases functions the same way as greenhouse glass, allowing sunlight to enter but retaining the solar heat. Tons of supplemental man-mad e gases being added to the atmosphere during the past century has produced a much thicker layer of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than normal trapping more solar energy and allowing less to escape. â€Å"In the past 150 years, such activities have pumped enough carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to raise its levels higher than they have been for hundreds of thousands of years.† (â€Å"Air pollution,† 1999). This preventable set of circumstances is making the earth warmer by the year. Lesser known but just

Edward Tufte Graphics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Edward Tufte Graphics - Essay Example In addition he insists that an excellent graphic should be one that is multivariate. Eventually, he insists that an excellent graphic should speak nothing but the truth (Tufte’s principles 2009). Hence, any good graphic should exhibit these. In relation to principles of graphical integrity, Tufte insists that it has to be detailed and clear. He advises that the graphic has to be thoroughly labeled and should be able to show data variation. He adds that the graphic should not quote any data out of the context. Furthermore, the principle warns of exceeding the dimensions of data depicted by the graphic (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). Hence, graphic integrity is a very useful tool graphic representation. Concerning the principles of data graphics, Tufte insists that any graphic information should above all things show the data. He insists that the data-ink ratio should be maximized in the graphic (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). Data-ink ratio i s simply the core of a graphic that cannot be erased. It could also imply data ink divided by the total ink that was used to print the graphic. It is basically the arrangement of non-redundant ink in relation to variation in the presented numbers (Darzynkiewicz, Robinson & Roederer 2009, p. 45). ... Tufte insisted that people should forgo chartjunk, including the grid, the duck and moire vibration (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). For any good graphic, details of no importance should not be included. Tufte also came up with the principle of erasing and data-ink maximization so as to be applied in some graphical designs (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). He insisted that if these principles were applied on the scatter plot and the box plot among others, new designs would be created. He insisted that for the scatter plot, one could edit the frame lines in order to display the minimum, maximum, median and the two quartiles for both variables (Liere, Adriaansen & Elena 2009, p. 6). In relation to the principle of multi-functioning graphical elements, Tufte insists that any graphical element is one that carries data information plus performs design functions left to non data ink. In following this principle, one is able to display several pieces of data at the same time in one graphic (Mizuno & Sheldon 2012). The principle basically mobilizes every graphical element sometimes several times in order to depict or show data. The graphical element that plots or locates or plots data is referred to as the data measure (Mizuno & Sheldon 2012). One can build data measures from data though it will increase the dimensionality of the graphic plus the quantitative details. He adds that varying shades of grey depict varying quantities in a better way than color, since they possess a natural visual hierarchy. In addition, graphical information can be organized for different aspects of data at different visual angles. Also, Tufte insists that for the

Negative Effects Of Junk Food On Health Essay

Negative Effects Of Junk Food On Health Essay Though your children may ask for junk food because they like the taste or because their friends are eating it, you undoubtedly already know that junk food can have negative effects on them. Junk food is typically is low in nutrients and high in calories from added sugars, starches or fats. Processed and junk food lovers beware! There are many negative repercussions to persistent junk food eating habits, not just the obvious and inevitable weight gain. Below is a short list of how junk food negatively impacts our bodies. Think about it the next time you are reaching for your second helping of cheesy nachos that accompanies the double stacked hamburger sandwich and large soda. Weight Gain A negative effect of junk food on children is rapid weight gain, often leading to excessive weight and sometimes obesity. This is because it often tastes good, is not very filling and is high calorie. Candy, soft drinks, French fries and other fried foods, pizza, burgers, baked goods and ice cream are examples of high-sugar or high-fat foods which provide hundreds of calories per day for the typical American youth ages 2 to 18, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Type 2 Diabetes Junk food puts kids at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes occurs when you are not able to properly regulate your blood sugar level. Your risk increases when you are obese and when your diet is high in high-glycemic carbohydrates, such as sugars and refined starches in sweets, white bread and potatoes. Type 2 diabetes increases your risk for kidney failure. Nutritional Deficiencies Junk food can lead to nutritional deficiencies when your children eat it instead of healthy foods with essential nutrients. Healthy meals and snacks should provide essential nutrients, such as B vitamins; magnesium and iron from fortified, whole-grain cereals and grains; calcium from milk or yogurt; healthy fats from nuts and dietary fiber; and vitamin A and vitamin C from fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead, children may miss out on these nutrients when settling for such things as breakfast sandwiches, potato chips, candy and soft drinks. Cardiovascular Disease Junk food is often high in saturated fat, which raises LDL cholesterol and may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Junk foods with saturated fat include pizza, ice cream, processed meats and full-fat cheese. High blood pressure is another risk factor for heart disease, and a high-sodium diet leads to high blood pressure. Children may be at risk for high blood pressure when eating salty junk food such as potato chips, French fries, pretzel Obesity Junk food enthusiasts are prone to put on weight, especially when they eat this kind of food very often. The fat and processed flour only make people fatter and unhealthier, as does the oil and grease that are used for fries, chips, donuts and other deep-fried foods. Statistics even show people who eat junk food tend to accompany it with sodas and alcohol, which are either laden with sugar or empty calories and both increase a persons tendency to put on weight. Lethargy Processed food tends to bring down peoples energy levels and make them lethargic because they are filled with carbohydrates that spike blood sugar levels. Soon after junk food is consumed, people feel themselves lulled into a stupor because sugar levels would have risen and fallen dramatically. This makes people feel sleepy and less inclined to be active and alert. Reflexes and senses become duller by the day and people start to lead a more sedentary life. Diseases Junk food causes diseases like diabetes and heart ailments. People are more likely to get diabetes, especially if they are sedentary, do not exercise, and have a family history of this disease. The fat from junk food raises cholesterol levels and can clog arteries, which may cause heart attacks and bring on strokes which could debilitate, or worse, even a person. When someone is overweight, they tend to be prone to so many other diseases because of their shape and size. Poor nutrition: When people eat too much junk food, they neglect to eat the nutritious kind like fruits and vegetables and other wholesome food. This means that the body does not get the necessary nutrition it needs and people end up with a weak immune system. Eating too much junk food will leave people prone to illnesses like colds and fevers, which although not serious, tend to have a nagging effect on life. They prevent people from being as active and organized as they would like to be. Constipation and other ills Processed foods have no fiber content and that is why people feel constipated when they go on a junk food binge. Sodas and colas also contain phosphorous and other chemicals which ruin are extremely acidic to your body, and strip your teeth of the enamel, eat away at your bones, and make the entire skeletal structure weak. Over time, it will leave the body prone to frequent sprains and fractures. Junk food is bad for people of all ages, but mostly for teenagers and young children because it ends up effectively ruining their health for good. Parents and other responsible adults should be extra aware to ensure that they set a good example and feed their children balanced and healthy diets.

The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy Essay example -- English Literature

The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy A hurried read of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby can generate a tragic impression. The deaths of three of the main characters and the failure of Gatsby and Daisy's romance can be viewed as tragic. However, a deeper analysis of the book reveals a much deeper tragedy. The relentless struggles of Gatsby himself parallel Fitzgerald's apparent ideas of the struggles of all Americans. The American dream romanticized by the majority of the population is really unattainable because it is, in fact, nonexistent. Every character has an unfortunate role and could be called a tragic character. However, the main tragedy is that of the title character. Gatsby experiences nothing but tragedy in his life. He begins miserable and ends miserable. He begins his life in a poor family where he feels he truly does not belong. His parents were unsuccessful and "his imaginationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦never really accepted them as his parents at all"(104). Always envisioning a better life for himself and a bigger purpose for his life, he has an amazing ability to make his dreams come true. As a child he dreams of being wealthy and living in luxury, and he attains this. When he is older he dreams of having Daisy, and for a time he achieves this dream as well. He reaches out for the green light at Daisy's dock symbolizing the embracing of his dream. Once the distance between him and this dream is removed, he has exactly what he thinks he wants. However, it is this belief in the dream that leads to his eventual downfall. Nick reflects on Gatsby's aspirations saying, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us" (189). Gatsby has an unusual quality of persistent hope... ...is family, education, and the way he fell into his money. His name is not actually Gatsby either. Like the "Great Houdini", Gatsby can make unreal things seem real. His entire life is an illusion to everyone but Nick. It is heartbreaking that in order to be happy Gatsby feels that he must put up these false fronts and skew reality in the eyes of others to make him into something that he is not. Gatsby's struggles are very similar to those of the American society in this particular era. In one case, the contender is reaching for an unworthy dream and in the other it is the contender that is unworthy of the dream. Fitzgerald combines the two struggles to produce an overall tragic comment on society in the 1920s. The lack of heart in the old aristocracy, the death of the American dream and the falsehood of the dreams unite to form the tragedy in the novel.