Giovanni Bellini as a Good Citizen
In every art class we have analyzed one of Giovanni Bellini’s paintings.He is a well-known and significant Venetian painter. Although Bellini is no longer around, it is apparent that he has left a lasting impact on Venice and Venetian art. I chose this artist as an influential Venetian citizen for his famous artwork, but also for his dedication to Venice. He was born in Venice, he worked his entire life in Venice, and he passed away in Venice.Giovanni Bellini had a strong devotion to his home, and I believe a commitment to your place of citizenship is an ideal characteristic of a ‘good citizen.’
Bellini dedicated a majority of his life to Venice. It was where his life and his art career took place. Bellini displayed characteristics of good citizenship through his commitment to Venice. According to Daniel Maze, who wrote Giovanni Bellini: Birth, Parentage, And Independence, Bellini was sensitive to the expectations and tastes of Venetians. He was committed to satisfying his audience. Bellini involved his audience’s desires in work, as well as was involved in Venetian culture. Aristotle’s idea of ideal citizenship is involvement. He argues that private property is then necessary for humans to feel involved and motivated. In line with Aristotle’s theory, I believe that Bellini roots in Venice gave him a sense of entitlement to the town. That ownership of Venice then motivated him to be an involved and devoted citizen through his art.
Bellini is mainly known for his contributions to Venice as an artist. He did not just paint with a Venetian style, but rather he transformed it. He painted several famous paintings such as the Transfiguration of Christ, Agony in the Garden, and the Portrait of Doge Leondardo Lordan. Bellini is considered to have “revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it towards a more sensuous and coloristic style” (“Chambers Library”).The intimacy in his art, as well as the vividly-colored oil paints he used deterred from the norm of Venetian painting. Bellini was a good citizen because he wanted to portray his art as beautiful as he saw Venice, and convey the intimacy that he felt with his pieces as he felt with Venice. He also influenced other artists in which left their marks and contributions to Venice, such as Giorgione and Titian. According to Hans Belting, who wrote St. Jerome in Venice: Giovanni Bellini and the Dream of Solitary Life, “Bellini’s paintings conveyed the message of the contrast between nature and civilization, between solitude and social life” (Belting). His paintings portrayed two different atmospheres, which was able to satisfy both the Venetian that was an introvert and the one that was an extrovert. Venetians were able to “find solstice in his work”, through appeal to their personalities or by showing something that they can relate too, and find comfort in (Belting). He was a dedicated citizen in multiple aspects.Bellini expressed his love for Venice through physical pieces of art, transformation of Venetian style of painting, by serving as a role model for other painters and by creating art that others could find comfort in.
Bellini was a good citizen because he pursued a role in which he was most proficient.He had a natural talent for art. It was what he was most skilled at and decided to pursue. Aristotle believes that‘specialization’ is necessary for a society to reach its full potential.He believes that citizen should strive to fulfill a role that they are most skilled at in order for society to benefit as a whole. Aristotle believes that the best material produces the best products. I agree that specialization is necessary for an organized and well-run society. I consider Bellini to be a good citizen through his commitment to art. His focus on art gave him the opportunity to serve as the “conservator of the paintings in the Hall of the Great Council of the Doge’s Palace, where he continued to work on a project to paint a number of great historical scenes” as well as preserve other pieces by past artists (“Giovanni”). He was born into a dynasty of painters, he was very skilled at art, and he made it his career. Bellini’s expertise and dedication to art allowed him to take Venetian art reach new heights and benefit Venice through new art pieces as well as care for old ones.
A major criticism of Giovanni Bellini was that as an artist he “struggled to break out of the long shadow cast by his accomplished father Jacopo” (Bätschmann). Although Bellini was later able to separate himself from his father, critics like Oskar Bätschmann argue that much of his fame and artistic abilities can be attributed to his family’s reputation as artists. If Bellini’s pursuit for art is due to his father’s own skill and push for his sons to become artists, then one might question whether or not Bellini was actually a ‘good citizen.’ However, regardless of his intentions of becoming an artist, his career was beneficial to Venetians in multiple aspects discussed previously.In my opinion, the effects of his devoted career as an artist are more important than his motive to pursue art.
The major criticism I have about Giovanni Bellini is that he was not a well-traveled citizen, and overall not a ‘good global citizen.’ Although I admire Bellini’s commitment and faith to Venice, I believe that he should have shared his talent with the rest of the world.Even though he is famous internationally, most of his work took place within and was centered around Venice. To be a good global citizen, Bellini should have pursued art in other places. In order to grow as a person, a citizen, and even as an artist I believe that it is important to immerse oneself within another culture and environment. It is beneficial to experience other atmospheres so that one may explore and challenge their own perspectives.
Overall, as a citizen, I would consider Bellini’s artistic abilities to be his most lasting impact of Venice.Bellini was an involved artist and an involved citizen of Venice. He worked to please his audiences and he painted of Venice and for Venice. His commitment as an artist allowed him to enhance the Venetian style of painting.Through his career and through his dedication as a citizen, many other Venetians and audiences were able to benefit through art appreciation, his inclusion of others in the community within his art, as well as his artistic involvement in the community.
Works Cited
Bätschmann, Oskar. Giovanni Bellini. London: Reaktion Books, 2008. Ebook Library. Web. 21 Sep. 2014.
Belting, Hans. " St. Jerome in Venice: Giovanni Bellini and the Dream of Solitary Life." I Tatti Studies in the Italian Renaissance, Vol. 17, No. 1. The University of Chicago Press, Spring 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
"Giovanni Bellini Biography." Artists. Artable, 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
Maze, Daniel Wallace. "Giovanni Bellini: Birth, Parentage, And Independence." Renaissance Quarterly 66.3 (2013): 783-823. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
"Now Showing in Chambers Library." Now Showing in ChambersLibrary. ChambersLibrary, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
In every art class we have analyzed one of Giovanni Bellini’s paintings.He is a well-known and significant Venetian painter. Although Bellini is no longer around, it is apparent that he has left a lasting impact on Venice and Venetian art. I chose this artist as an influential Venetian citizen for his famous artwork, but also for his dedication to Venice. He was born in Venice, he worked his entire life in Venice, and he passed away in Venice.Giovanni Bellini had a strong devotion to his home, and I believe a commitment to your place of citizenship is an ideal characteristic of a ‘good citizen.’
Bellini dedicated a majority of his life to Venice. It was where his life and his art career took place. Bellini displayed characteristics of good citizenship through his commitment to Venice. According to Daniel Maze, who wrote Giovanni Bellini: Birth, Parentage, And Independence, Bellini was sensitive to the expectations and tastes of Venetians. He was committed to satisfying his audience. Bellini involved his audience’s desires in work, as well as was involved in Venetian culture. Aristotle’s idea of ideal citizenship is involvement. He argues that private property is then necessary for humans to feel involved and motivated. In line with Aristotle’s theory, I believe that Bellini roots in Venice gave him a sense of entitlement to the town. That ownership of Venice then motivated him to be an involved and devoted citizen through his art.
Bellini is mainly known for his contributions to Venice as an artist. He did not just paint with a Venetian style, but rather he transformed it. He painted several famous paintings such as the Transfiguration of Christ, Agony in the Garden, and the Portrait of Doge Leondardo Lordan. Bellini is considered to have “revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it towards a more sensuous and coloristic style” (“Chambers Library”).The intimacy in his art, as well as the vividly-colored oil paints he used deterred from the norm of Venetian painting. Bellini was a good citizen because he wanted to portray his art as beautiful as he saw Venice, and convey the intimacy that he felt with his pieces as he felt with Venice. He also influenced other artists in which left their marks and contributions to Venice, such as Giorgione and Titian. According to Hans Belting, who wrote St. Jerome in Venice: Giovanni Bellini and the Dream of Solitary Life, “Bellini’s paintings conveyed the message of the contrast between nature and civilization, between solitude and social life” (Belting). His paintings portrayed two different atmospheres, which was able to satisfy both the Venetian that was an introvert and the one that was an extrovert. Venetians were able to “find solstice in his work”, through appeal to their personalities or by showing something that they can relate too, and find comfort in (Belting). He was a dedicated citizen in multiple aspects.Bellini expressed his love for Venice through physical pieces of art, transformation of Venetian style of painting, by serving as a role model for other painters and by creating art that others could find comfort in.
Bellini was a good citizen because he pursued a role in which he was most proficient.He had a natural talent for art. It was what he was most skilled at and decided to pursue. Aristotle believes that‘specialization’ is necessary for a society to reach its full potential.He believes that citizen should strive to fulfill a role that they are most skilled at in order for society to benefit as a whole. Aristotle believes that the best material produces the best products. I agree that specialization is necessary for an organized and well-run society. I consider Bellini to be a good citizen through his commitment to art. His focus on art gave him the opportunity to serve as the “conservator of the paintings in the Hall of the Great Council of the Doge’s Palace, where he continued to work on a project to paint a number of great historical scenes” as well as preserve other pieces by past artists (“Giovanni”). He was born into a dynasty of painters, he was very skilled at art, and he made it his career. Bellini’s expertise and dedication to art allowed him to take Venetian art reach new heights and benefit Venice through new art pieces as well as care for old ones.
A major criticism of Giovanni Bellini was that as an artist he “struggled to break out of the long shadow cast by his accomplished father Jacopo” (Bätschmann). Although Bellini was later able to separate himself from his father, critics like Oskar Bätschmann argue that much of his fame and artistic abilities can be attributed to his family’s reputation as artists. If Bellini’s pursuit for art is due to his father’s own skill and push for his sons to become artists, then one might question whether or not Bellini was actually a ‘good citizen.’ However, regardless of his intentions of becoming an artist, his career was beneficial to Venetians in multiple aspects discussed previously.In my opinion, the effects of his devoted career as an artist are more important than his motive to pursue art.
The major criticism I have about Giovanni Bellini is that he was not a well-traveled citizen, and overall not a ‘good global citizen.’ Although I admire Bellini’s commitment and faith to Venice, I believe that he should have shared his talent with the rest of the world.Even though he is famous internationally, most of his work took place within and was centered around Venice. To be a good global citizen, Bellini should have pursued art in other places. In order to grow as a person, a citizen, and even as an artist I believe that it is important to immerse oneself within another culture and environment. It is beneficial to experience other atmospheres so that one may explore and challenge their own perspectives.
Overall, as a citizen, I would consider Bellini’s artistic abilities to be his most lasting impact of Venice.Bellini was an involved artist and an involved citizen of Venice. He worked to please his audiences and he painted of Venice and for Venice. His commitment as an artist allowed him to enhance the Venetian style of painting.Through his career and through his dedication as a citizen, many other Venetians and audiences were able to benefit through art appreciation, his inclusion of others in the community within his art, as well as his artistic involvement in the community.
Works Cited
Bätschmann, Oskar. Giovanni Bellini. London: Reaktion Books, 2008. Ebook Library. Web. 21 Sep. 2014.
Belting, Hans. " St. Jerome in Venice: Giovanni Bellini and the Dream of Solitary Life." I Tatti Studies in the Italian Renaissance, Vol. 17, No. 1. The University of Chicago Press, Spring 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
"Giovanni Bellini Biography." Artists. Artable, 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
Maze, Daniel Wallace. "Giovanni Bellini: Birth, Parentage, And Independence." Renaissance Quarterly 66.3 (2013): 783-823. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.
"Now Showing in Chambers Library." Now Showing in ChambersLibrary. ChambersLibrary, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.