art history questions

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12 December 2007

1 . The term reliquary is defined as receptacle containing the relics of saints and other sacred objects of the Christian religion , which were often designed in shapes that reflected the nature of their contents and were richly decorated with gold , silver , enamel and jewels ( Reliquary . Reliquaries , an important item associated with religion , were widely used in Europe during the 10th to 12th century Romanesque art , which featured a combination of Roman and Byzantine styles , was highly influenced by Christianity . The practice

of Christianity initiated crusades and the art reflecting the aim to seize the Holy Land from the Muslims . Moreover , it motivated pilgrimages which honored the display and exhibition of various religious and sacred relics . Christian followers associated miracles with the relics of religious people and artifacts hence reliquaries were created to preserve these religious objects . Reliquaries were also called shrines or chasses if it is designed architecturally as a church 's miniature From simple box-shaped styles , reliquary 's designs became ornate and reflective of its content . Embellishments such as embroidery , shells beads and images of saints were also used to decorate reliquaries

2 . The art work entitled Romulus and Remus Given Shelter by Faustulus ' by Pietro da Cortona is a portrayal of the mythological founders of Rome - Romulus and Remus . The oil painting , which was created in 1643 , is currently housed in Louvre Museum , Paris . The online website of Louvre Museum HYPERLINK "http /www .louvre .fr /llv /commun /home .jsp http /www .louvre .fr /llv /commun /home .jsp provided a copy of the art work and a detailed of the painting . The art work depicted how Faustulus , a shepherd from Alba , saved the abandoned twins by introducing them to his family . The painting was depicted in Baroque style it portrayed a theatrical theme , and it depicted movement and mood . It employed a wide range of color palette accentuated by the application of intense light and shadow . Symbolism was also represented in the art work , a dove was represented to symbolize the gentleness and purity of the event moreover it was used as a metaphor for the Roman goddess Venus , the ancestor of Romulus and Remus

3 . The movie Gladiator ' depicted the historical era that witnessed the rise and fall of the Roman Empire . It reflected the foundation of Roman Empire in 27 B .C . and its expansion and development which ended by the reign of Commodus in 180 A .D . The film 's characterization of Maximus provided a realistic picture of the implications of civil wars and political instabilities to common people such as soldiers and workers It depicted the encompassing drama and action behind gladiatorial games The portrayal of Commodus ' character reflected the historical claims that describe him as a strong and wild emperor . Moreover , the film depicted the Roman 's interest in race and ferocious combats as highlighted by the Colosseum scenes . On the other hand , the assassination of Commodus and the whereabouts of Maximus , his assassin...