Societal perception Essays

Societal perception Essays Societal perception Essay Societal perception Essay Societal perceptions about the governing standard of beauty can be discerned in art works such as paintings, sculptures, literatures among many others. One of the most remarkable features is the masculine beauty behind every art pieces. This kind of characteristic in art works has a great implication on the distinction of particular state of the society.The standards of masculine beauty in western civilization were established by the Greek and Roman artists. There are general values of beauty that people follow. Masculine strength has always been found in big square jaws. Square jaws are more common in northeastern Asians than in whites. Also, a protruding brow-line is suggestive of an intense and rugged makeup implicative of success in the kinds of brutal physical combat that recognized survival and position in pre-historic and historic times. Another basis of male beauty is categorized by a strong straight nose that projects masculine confidence. Broad cheek bones project a sense of strength and an independence of spirit. Even in men full lips are suggestive of vitality and sensuality while a strong chin projects assertiveness while a weak one on the other hand suggests submissiveness. (Trigiani, August 1998)Another standard of beauty is the symmetry which has been scientifically proven to be innately attractive to the human eye. defined not by proportions, but by the similarity between the left and right sides of the face.Definition of masculinity is widely relative to time and culture. Though one definition of masculinity is basic, males are superior to females. The Greek artists are more on expressions and focus on the details of the body. a little distorted and not proportioned. Everything is noticeably bigger than the normal, as can be seen in the art of Michael Angelo. Greek sculptures especially are noticeably of Greek Gods. Roman art on the other hand is a blend of Greek and Roman elements because Rome imitated a lot of Greek st atues, though they also produced a more realistic style portraying the art instead of the idealized forms that the Greeks prefer. Japanese artists on the other hand are perfectionists. They also use expressionism but because they use water color in their arts, it is hard to control the lines but still, it is obvious that they love patterns. Other factors affect art. Homosexual or gay men are portrayed differently to that of straight men of the house.   Gay men are in straight men’s eyes to be less, not necessarily beneath them but considerably a substandard of man.In modern art in America, hegemonic masculinity is defined by physical strength and bravado, exclusive heterosexuality, suppression of vulnerable emotions such as remorse and uncertainty, economic independence, authority over women and other men, and intense interest in sexual conquest. Realistically speaking, men do not fit the exact mold of what masculinity is believed to be but the society still bases their ass umptions on what masculinity is to the standards that society dictates. (Ching)Art probably began for religious purposes that also serve to commemorate an important event even later on. It has also served as a way of expression even during World War II. After the Renaissance period, artists have tried to become more realistic in their paintings thus the oil painting began. Up to now, the evolution of art is continuous as people also have changed, growth both in the culture and the art. Arts that depicts male have always been imploratory of innuendos.Baroque art is the style that originated in Rome at the beginning of the 17th century that took the place Mannerism. The Council of Trent (1545-63) had strongly believed in clear significance in religious art and in which changes started. Certain Italian artists came back with a more simplified style which was referred to as the Anti-Mannerism. Although it was not until the 17th century that the Counter-Reformation Catholic Church came o ut with a radical new style which is the Baroque.During the High Baroque, visual were combined to create collections meant to create an overwhelming emotional impact. Despite the fact that Baroque art originated in the Catholic church, the possibilities for propaganda afforded by the involvement and illusion techniques of the Baroque style were not lost on secular patrons. (West)The eighteenth century covers a lot of differing styles. In Europe, neoclassicism is considered as a symbol for the return of virtue and acceptance of ideas after the French Revolution. The major contents of the art during this period pertains ideas of duty, honor and patriotism. Art is hard to define. It is judged by its depth defined by the way it implies clear statements, order, logic, even the portrayal of reality. It is also judged for the reasons behind, like for example a portrait of a ruler should be pictured appropriate to what he stands for. It must emphasize, in those days, portray how a man shoul d be, but relevant to his status in society. Artists tried to assert heroism in the portraits, especially of males and great technical, stylistic developments of Russian painters were displayed within half a century. Portraits in this century no longer show any trace of backwardness, provincialism or amateurism.During the 19th century, Romanticism, Realism, Pre-Raphaelite Art, Impressionism, Post-impressionism, and Symbolism were born, every single depiction of masculinity relative to culture and age and highly depending on the artists views. And art were also becoming a status symbol.These days, art has taken on new levels that can still be surprising like in the Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia, several artists have used oxidation techniques. The term oxidation is actually a curious word, though in fact, it means that artists piss on their art to create a certain effect. Abstract paintings are usually subjected to this. It is their way of coding their work and also a sta tement of objection to certain issues, resistance to particular politics, eroticism, belonging to certain beliefs, hidden meanings and a statement of gender. (Chapman, 1997)A picture paints a thousand words is a common euphemism that we all know. Art and paintings alike have evolved, developed and changed. It expresses views, opinions and emotions. In the old days, there were sets of standards on what beauty should be, or how to perceive a man. Masculinity and male beauty can no longer be classified and defined. Man laws as some men say can not be really called as such for a certain rule in one man can not really apply to another. Beauty of one man can not be compared to that of another. People today have varying tastes that we can no longer create a mold for a perfect figure.Perception of man and masculinity has changed over the centuries. As females have accepted their masculine sides and males have accepted feminine sides, as well. Art is hard to classify even, as to the many var iety of it. Men are no longer painted on top of a horse, nowadays. And better yet, paintings and other hand made arts are seemingly less appreciated because of the technologies.