The Genius of Frank Lloyd Wright

     This image is of the interior of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin that Frank Lloyd Wright began, and which was completed after his death. Here is the example of Wright's genius as a designer and architect. What a beautiful center of religious devotion this church exudes. Light is an important part of the architecture, as important as the brick and mortar. Light surrounds the entire interior of the ceiling,which is a dome that stretches 100 feet across.This is environmental harmony and I love the symmetrical design, which includes the very center of the church. I appreciate the plants and hanging greenery that also has an organic feeling like the circular lights. This is the kind of church where you can be a part of the spiritual nexus of one's religious beliefs, and celebrate the beauty between heaven and earth. 

       The goldish yellow tones are balanced well with the dark fabric of the pews,adding to the symmetry of the building itself. The church has been called a "jewel of faith", and is an important example of Wright's career as an architect and designer. It's remarkable he first conceived this idea inside his mind and then plotted it out mathematically. Very masterful. and hopefully this church will endure time as well and be a part of the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Rembrandt van Rijn

    This image comes from Janson's Story of Painting, by H.W. Janson and Dora Jane Janson,page 98. It is a painting by Rembrandt van Rijn, an artist I admire. What an incredible rendering of human emotion within a divine illustration. "Christ in the storm on the sea of Galilee" is an image that places the viewer within this episode from the Christian religion.I learned that Rembrandt was influenced by Caravaggio, whose light,shade,and dramatic figures are also in this particular piece. It touches the survivalist center in ourselves as we view this form,because of how much the mind fears drowning. Everything is detailed in the play of light and shadow. There is movement and intensity pictured by the boat rising up on waves that could capsize and drown the men. It's feeling is similar to a skydiver or a person who bungee jumps from a cliff, or someone scaling a mountain.

     You can see the thin glazes and impasto techniques,subtly applied. that defines the meaning of this work. Faith in times of struggle and hardship. I find it beautiful and wonderfully executed. I would like to be able to illustrate like Rembrandt. I think it's a high calling to create works like this. It does promote hope in the viewer within this one second of time illustrated. It has been a rewarding semester of Art History ll.