Plutarch does not believe that there were genuine feelings between Antony and Cleopatra. He sees their romantic love and infatuation of one another as ‘being self – indulgent and having a lack of self control’ (Fear, 2008, p.11). Plutarch tends to portray Cleopatra as a ‘cunning manipulator who seduces and out – manoeuvres Antony’ (ibid). In a way this is true, and this can be linked to the situation caused around the fishing incident, as she out smarted him and knew that he had tricked her in the beginning by pretending to have caught two or three fish that had been caught earlier that day (lines 12 – 14).
Outline what you Think are the Main Differences between Cézanne’s Jug and Fruit (1885 – 87) and Zurbarán’s Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose (1633).
This part of the essay aims to look at two different paintings of still life by two different artists and compare the main differences between them.
When looking at Cézanne’s painting of a jug and fruit (plate 1.3.24 cited in The Open University, 2008), it is possible to see the brush strokes. Although this gives the painting texture, it can appear to be quite messy and not very realistic. In contrast to this, Zurbarán’s still life painting with lemons, oranges and a rose (plate 1.3.30 cited in The Open University, 2008) the brush strokes are impossible to see. The painting looks more like a photograph as the work is done to a very high standard. Zurbarán has really captured the realistic textures of the fruit and the other items in the painting.
In Zurbarán’s painting (1633) we are shown a table set against a dark background on which are set three collections of objects: a basket containing oranges in the center; a silver saucer with four lemons on the left; and, a silver saucer holding both a single rose and a china cup to the right. Each collection is enlightened and placed carefully on a polished surface. In Cézanne’s painting (1885 – 87) we are shown a surface against a light background with a collection of objects set upon it: on the left is a thin necked water jug; to the front of the jug is a saucer with a pear and an apple placed on it; and, there are four pears and two apples situated to the right of the saucer. These items appear to be placed in a more natural way than that of Zurbarán’s still life painting as the fruit are spread out and are not set out carefully or neatly.
Another difference between Cézanne’s and Zurbarán’s painting is the colour palette that have decided to use. Cézanne has used paler colours, e.g. greens, blues and browns. Using these colours makes the picture feel warm and inviting. It also gives the impression that Cézanne’s painting was done during the day in a well lit room, possibly with a window or light source to the right of the objects. However, Zurbarán’s picture uses dark colours, e.g. blacks and yellows. Although this painting uses really bold colours, it doesn’t feel as warm or inviting as what Cézanne’s picture does. The painting could easily have been painted in the latter part of the day, e.g. late evening, due to the colours Zurbarán has chosen to use. The objects are being illuminated from the left hand side of the painting and this is visible through the light and dark areas on the collection of objects.
In conclusion, both Zurbarán and Cézanne have painted still life pictures, but both have done them differently. They have used different colour palettes, or one could perceive them being done at different times of the day, and another main different is the way they are painted. With Cézanne you can see the brush strokes and Zurbarán paints very finely giving the objects a very realistic look.
References and Bibliography
The Open University (2008), AA100 Illustration Book (Plates for Book 1 and 2), Milton Keynes, The Open University.
The Open University (2011), AA100 Assignment Booklet, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Fear. T., (2008), Chapter 1: Cleopatra, AA100 Book 1: Reputations, Milton Keynes, The Open University.
