Philosopher Karl Popper, a refugee from Hitler's Austria, argued that Plato's search for an ideal society and the introduction of idealism into politics were precedents that led to totalitarianism. He wrote that any fixed society will, by definition, be hostile to criticism or to change. Eventually the preservation of the system will be more important than the welfare of the population.
There have been arguments against this linking of Plato's Republic and totalitarianism, yet it is interesting to see the preference for the classical canon in the art of Hitler's Germany. The painting, The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, hung in a place of honor in Hitler's apartment. Critics often point to the banal nature of art approved by the Third Reich. The clarity and simplicity of of the classical canon may be used for a variety of purposes, including propaganda for a method of governing or a way of life. Classical forms have been used in protest art as well.
Compare Hitler's favorite painting to the classical statue of Aphrodite. There is much to be said in terms of the artists' attitude towards women (treatment of their bodies, facial expression), their use of the ideal female form to promote certain attitudes about beauty and the linking of ideal female form to the state. Think about how the classical ideal of femininity is used today in advertising, how its opposite is used (bohemian fashion -gypsy styles, hippy nostalgia, etc.)
The painting from what I see shows the women in a vulnerable state by being derobed. The woman on the far right seems to have a suductive look which leads me to believe she is very comfortable in her own skin. The same look is used today in advertising to get the attention of society. By showing a woman in her most vulnerable state actually makes her seem more dominant because of how comfortable they look while bearing less clothing. Some advertising may even be considered classy just from the placement of where the covering garment may appear. As for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality, this statue uses beauty and sexuality as a sign of strength and power.
ReplyDeleteHitler's favorite painting shows the four women exposed in a room and their attitudes at the time. In this painting I noticed that all four women show different attitudes. The women on the right of the painting shows an alluring demeanor, the next women (looking at the women on the right of the painting) seems to show some frustration and/or envy towards the women on the right. Next, the women on the left seems to be very vigilant of the other women and lastly the women in the center of the painting looking down shows signs of insecurity and weakness. This painting shows a variety of different attitudes about beauty that the artist was trying to convey. Now the classical statue of Aphrodite, shows a lot more power and confidence. Even as she is exposed she shows signs of power and assurance. I feel today's advertising uses a combination of Aphrodite's strength, beauty, and assurance, with the seductive attitude of the women in the far right in Hitler's painting. Beauty, strength, certainty, and seduction makes today's advertising so effective.
ReplyDeleteAdolf Ziegler’s painting The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Greek statue of Aphrodite of Melos represent two absolutely different historical epochs. It is amazing how two pieces of art, that were created centuries apart, can be so similar in form and expression. At the same time, there is difference in the implied meaning that was influenced by views and beliefs of the century in which it was created.
ReplyDeleteBoth art works depict women with perfect, well-proportioned bodies. They are almost unreal. Aphrodite, who represents the Greek appreciation of female beauty, is covered with draperies making the statue more expressive and real. Ziegler achieved the same effect by adding context with implied motion to his work: one of the women protects the flame with her hand showing she is ready to sacrifice herself to save it from the wind. I believe, the willingness to be sacrificed for the state was widely stressed in Hitler’s Germany, and the painter used classical cannon to send this message.
The painting of the four women is an example of the four main elements, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water; these are the elements of nature. This painting is very beautiful. The painting shows artistic realism. Each woman has the energy and spirit of their own. Each has its likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand in the classical sculpture there is only one woman showing her expression. In the classical sculptures we see the women smiling a little as a grin parts her lips. This shows her self-esteem is very confident. Practically draped, all her beauty is uncovered and revealed, except the drape hides her private parts. This sculpture shows the beauty and love of a women’s body.
ReplyDeleteWho knows why Hitler liked what he liked? You'll find perverts can still have brilliance in something that the rest of us would appreciate if we were able to separate it from the person. I suppose any society that wants to be oppressive can side with Plato in the idea that people don't know reality and therefore don't really know what's good for them. As far as the painting and the sculpture I do see one shows more vulnerable and one shows more strength. All the ladies in the painting seem to be making an effort at being feminine. Farthest right she has a sexy look on her face. Left of her the woman looks very comfortable but is gently grasping a piece of cloth. The lady sitting with her actually looks embarrassed. The one on the left also is displaying felinity, spraying perfume on her. They all know there place in relation to someone else, to be feminine. The Goddess Statute has the look of, well, a Goddess. She is comfortable and does not seem concerned of fitting into any roll. Also what contributes to the contrast in of strength and vulnerability between the two works are the bodies of the women themselves. From the standards we have today, the statues body is perfect. The other women have more natural shapes and belly wrinkles. In fact this can color my perception, because I have no idea if at the time when the painting was made if that was the standard of beauty.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell about Hitler's favorite painting and the classical statue of Aprohdite, the painting is of four women with all different expressions and attitudes on their faces. They all look very vulnerable to the world. The statue of Aprohdite on the other hand is a goddess of strength power and beauty.
ReplyDeleteBy Elizaveta Georgieva:
ReplyDeleteHitler was very fond of fine arts. He even tried to enter the Academy of Fine Arts in Wien when he was 18, but failed the competition. He particularly admired idyllic romantic painting. It is no surprise that for decoration of his apartment he chose the painting The Four Elements, representing naked women bodies with perfect shapes based on the classical Greek standards. The women are soft, feminine, sensual, proportionate, with healthy musculature and posture, with ideal, symmetrical facial features. They bear similarity to the statue of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, the perfect female. Hitler drew some of his ideas about creating a "perfect race" and organizing the state from Plato. Plato was for reproduction controlled by the state. Hitler twisted and further developed this idea trying to put it into life by brutal means and at the cost of numerous lives and immense suffering. The canon of a human body set by the classical Greeks served as a model for Hitler to breed a "perfect race" that would help him to conquer the world.
The painting of the women in Aphrodite gives off a cool invasive look. The women show a since of openness of there body with a obfuscate stare of courage mix with a little of seductiveness. From the way the women used the cloth for protection in revealing themselves so boldly. Shows the security they hold of themselves alone with the torch, flower, and blue backdrop of the sky showcase the four element of nature in their posed look.
ReplyDeletehitlers painiting an the statue have similarities as in they are both of women but not only that but of naked women. they both look like they are from the same time period by the clothes that the women are wearing in both the painting and the statue. they both also have women on platforms, one sitting and one standing. they also both show how the women are embrassing their natural beauty and loving their bodies.Michael Burgess
ReplyDeleteComparing Hitler’s favorite painting and the classical statue of Aphrodite, I can say that there are minor differences but cannot see everything Mrs. Barron asking us to see. To begin with, the Aphrodite statue, the women looks skinner then did Hitler’s favorites statue. As I compare the attitudes towards women it seems like the Hitler’s painting women look more provocative, while the Aphrodite statue looks more passive and seems dull, as if she is thought of being low in there society. Another interesting thing that can be noted is that the Aphrodite statues arms are cut off, while in Hitler’s painting the women have arms. The missing of the arms can mean that the women don’t help out in there society while in the painting the women look like they have some kind of responsibility. These responsibilities can include cooking, making fire, and making sure there is water for their families, all things that were seen in the paintings. In this panting I can see some of the same advertising strategies that we still use today. Though women in advertisements now a day’s might have nicer body and are much prettier, the basics seems the same by having an attractive women holding an item and having male customers think that they need those items. Leonard S.
ReplyDeleteTo admire the unique features of a particular thing is to respect its individualism. In Plato’s mind it was the responsibility of the state to make its citizenry virtuous ensuring the material and moral welfare of all. One could argue that such lofty ideals are the epitome of many totalitarian institutions. But, society is composed of varied unique characters and there is no one common material bond that would bound everyone to conform to the same set of ideals without deviations.
ReplyDeleteHitler was an admirer of classical Greek arts because the philosophy behind classical Greek arts was the ideal human shape. The whole philosophy of idealism which views everything in its truest form fascinated Hitler. In his opinion the same philosophy could be applied to political institutions and human genetics. The doctrine of idealism could be argued to be a precursor to totalitarianism. Once we developed the idea that one shape or thing is more perfect or ideal than another, we instantly begin to use that as a measurement for everything which negates the very possibility of uniqueness. This to my mind is the fatal flaw of idealism.
The goddess Aphrodite was viewed by the Greek as the ideal feminine figure. Comparing the facial expression of her statue with the facial expressions of Hitler’s paintings, the goddess seems proud and sophisticated while the others seem shy if not ashamed. In Greek society of that time a well endowed body was a thing of beauty and should not be hidden. Throughout the ages European men have cast women in that mould and women have accepted that to be their aspiration. It is little wonder that anything one wants to get noticed on the TV, billboard, magazines, internet or the paper the partially naked body of a woman is predominantly used.
When looking at the two pieces of art I can see they are very similar but also completely different. Hitler's painting the women seem forced posed and unhappy. Where is Plato's statue seem willing and seductive. The painting lacks respect for the natural beauty of a women, it seems a bit degrading. Plato's seems respectful and made with respect for the extremely intimate parts of a women.
ReplyDeleteIn Hitler's painting the women the four women are symbolic of the four elements and the complete exposure of the women makes sense seeing as there is nothing that is more natural then the elements of Earth or the human body. However, the women in the painting look vulnerable like they are elements of the state not in control of themselves of their bodies. On the other hand, the statue of Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty, she isn't fully exposed with the robe covering her lower half, which gives her a more elegant look and makes her seem more intimidating. The statue portrays her as a woman in control of her own self, and that while she maybe the goddess of beauty and love she is still not a goddess you would want to cross. I think most advertising companies would go with the painting, portray the women as vulnerable and exposed unless they have their product but I think it would be wiser to use Aphrodite.
ReplyDeleteThe two pieces are art are very similar, in that the women are naked and beautiful, but they are also very different. The signals that the first painting by Hitler are much more elaborate. Each women has a separate expression, some showing almost embarrassment and appearing forced. Aphrodite, however, is beautiful and confident and the ideal look of the Greek times it was created. Max
ReplyDeleteThe differences between The Four Elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air painting that was in Hitlers apartment and the statue of Aphrodite are many. The women in the painting all seem to have different expressions but yet they can all be said to have a look of vulnerability as well as a slight seductive look to them. To me, every single one of them remind me of a modeling picture. The way each girl looks away from the camera as if she does not realize she is being photographed or painted and has a look of deep thought. As for Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty she has such a strong and confident expression. I think the artists had totally different intentions for each piece of work. Aphrodite makes me think of strength and confidence and class when I look at this statue. Even though it is revealing of her body just like the painting it seems less of the main focus. I don't have the same feeling like she is trying to be acknowledged for her body but rather her confidence in herself. I believe these paintings and statues are a major reason most advertising today is about half naked people showing off a product. Almost every painting and statue back then involved naked women no matter what they were trying to potray and now even products you could not imagine having anything to do with a half clothed person use that as a means of selling their item.
ReplyDeleteBoth pieces of art have many similarities. The way the artist represents a woman's sensuality is definitely there. The silky drapery on both reflects sexuality and feminism women have. Also on both the statue and the painting the artist shows intimate body parts that are very well defined, although in Aphrodite the pelvis part is cover with the fabric. Also all women have their hair pull back; probably to keep it away from the body and cause no distraction, since the main objective of the artist is to focus on the body. The difference is that one is a painting, while the other is a statue. The painting gets to be more colorful and updated, the statue is just more classical made in stone, it shows less details.
ReplyDeleteThe statue of Aphrodite looks like her clothes are falling off and there is a lot of attention to detail in her body and face. Eventhough she is naked, the statue seems respectful and beautiful and she seems to enjoy being naked. Hilters painting makes me think he is forcing them to pose and they are not enjoying it.
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