There is an explicit Americana theme inherent in the painting. The colors the artist uses in addition to the inclusion of the cattle skull symbolize the great West and the role it plays in shaping the American identity. The vertical line running down the center of the portrait works with the horns of the cattle skull to form a cross. This creation of a sacred symbol depicts the West as this source of purity and spiritual renewal. Tom Outland’s views on the Mesa are similar to those expressed by the artist; Tom’s sense of American identity is connected to the land and its beauty. Tom sees the Mesa as this source of religious emotion, tying religion to that of his nationalist views. The strong feelings that both the artist and Tom have towards the West contradict much of the trends current in their society. Society in the 20s and 30s focused more on living in luxury and extravagance versus spending the time to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding them. The painting and Professors House are stressing the need to continue to preserve the West as it is one of the greatest sources of our American identity.
During class today there was the comment made that "Western expansion killed a lot of cows" and that suddenly shifted my view of this artwork. Right above the eye sockets are two little dots on both sides of the skull. I thought of the crucifixion. Jesus's hands and feet were nailed to the cross. Couldn't we say this, then, is similar? The "dots" being where the skull was nailed... I mean, I'm not expert on cow skulls so I could completely be off in this interpretation, and those could actually be just a part of the skull of everycow, but. IF we can see it this way for a moment and suspend disbelief, then it's seen as a sarcastic, ironic image, not celebrating American pride but mocking it. The cow skull could then serve as an icon of the nature and the natural world that we're destroying as we continue our expansion of civilizations and technology.
I think the idea of religion and America are crucial in this artwork. The main color scheme notably, is red, white, and blue, which automatically relates itself to American culture. Also, the cattle skull itself, is reminiscent of western tradition, which helped to shape the country. There is also a religious aspect in this painting, which can be seen as Jesus on the cross. The skull almost looks like a body (Jesus) on a cross. Religion has played a very important role in the United State's development and I believe this painting is representing the clash of religious tolerance and culture as a whole.
Georgia O’Keeffe’s cow skull is the epitome of an American painting. This painting signifies western expansion through various ways; for instance, the cow skull. In conjunction with the cow skull, the shading between the colors red, white, blue, and black resembles a gorge almost, which where many western settlers passed through. Between the imagery and shading O’Keefe is able to create a very American image. Though despite this deep connection to American heritage, this painting is “beautifully simple.” It is this simplifying nature of American history and culture that make it relatable to the Willa Cather’s The Professor House for numerous reasons. For instance, Tom Outland being the all American man he is, has no desire to look elsewhere for adventure unless it is connected to the “very beginning.” By the “very beginning” I mean Outland’s appreciation to the very first civilizations, whether it be his admiration of the Mesa or his understanding of a dead language, Latin. It is Outland’s respect for earlier civilizations that connect to O’Keefe’s painting so well, for she depicts the “very beginning” as well through her interpretation of western expansion through the cow skull and her use of colors. - Megan B
I believe O’Keefe had specific intentions with the Cow Skull. The painting depicts a cow skull centered in front of what appears to be a cloth background. In the center of the background is a vertical black stripe. On either side of that are two vertical stripes of white laced with blue. The painting prominently displays the three colors of the American flag behind the cow skull. I believe she intentionally used a battered cow's skull to represent the enduring and unending spirit of America. While investigating this painting, I also considered the possibility of O’Keefe depicting Jesus Christ on the cross with touches on the strong ties to Christianity. She has the skull in the center, choosing this skull with the particular shape to represent the way Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross.
There is an explicit Americana theme inherent in the painting. The colors the artist uses in addition to the inclusion of the cattle skull symbolize the great West and the role it plays in shaping the American identity. The vertical line running down the center of the portrait works with the horns of the cattle skull to form a cross. This creation of a sacred symbol depicts the West as this source of purity and spiritual renewal. Tom Outland’s views on the Mesa are similar to those expressed by the artist; Tom’s sense of American identity is connected to the land and its beauty. Tom sees the Mesa as this source of religious emotion, tying religion to that of his nationalist views. The strong feelings that both the artist and Tom have towards the West contradict much of the trends current in their society. Society in the 20s and 30s focused more on living in luxury and extravagance versus spending the time to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding them. The painting and Professors House are stressing the need to continue to preserve the West as it is one of the greatest sources of our American identity.
ReplyDeleteDuring class today there was the comment made that "Western expansion killed a lot of cows" and that suddenly shifted my view of this artwork. Right above the eye sockets are two little dots on both sides of the skull. I thought of the crucifixion. Jesus's hands and feet were nailed to the cross. Couldn't we say this, then, is similar? The "dots" being where the skull was nailed... I mean, I'm not expert on cow skulls so I could completely be off in this interpretation, and those could actually be just a part of the skull of everycow, but. IF we can see it this way for a moment and suspend disbelief, then it's seen as a sarcastic, ironic image, not celebrating American pride but mocking it. The cow skull could then serve as an icon of the nature and the natural world that we're destroying as we continue our expansion of civilizations and technology.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of religion and America are crucial in this artwork. The main color scheme notably, is red, white, and blue, which automatically relates itself to American culture. Also, the cattle skull itself, is reminiscent of western tradition, which helped to shape the country. There is also a religious aspect in this painting, which can be seen as Jesus on the cross. The skull almost looks like a body (Jesus) on a cross. Religion has played a very important role in the United State's development and I believe this painting is representing the clash of religious tolerance and culture as a whole.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia O’Keeffe’s cow skull is the epitome of an American painting. This painting signifies western expansion through various ways; for instance, the cow skull. In conjunction with the cow skull, the shading between the colors red, white, blue, and black resembles a gorge almost, which where many western settlers passed through. Between the imagery and shading O’Keefe is able to create a very American image. Though despite this deep connection to American heritage, this painting is “beautifully simple.” It is this simplifying nature of American history and culture that make it relatable to the Willa Cather’s The Professor House for numerous reasons. For instance, Tom Outland being the all American man he is, has no desire to look elsewhere for adventure unless it is connected to the “very beginning.” By the “very beginning” I mean Outland’s appreciation to the very first civilizations, whether it be his admiration of the Mesa or his understanding of a dead language, Latin. It is Outland’s respect for earlier civilizations that connect to O’Keefe’s painting so well, for she depicts the “very beginning” as well through her interpretation of western expansion through the cow skull and her use of colors. - Megan B
ReplyDeleteI believe O’Keefe had specific intentions with the Cow Skull. The painting depicts a cow skull centered in front of what appears to be a cloth background. In the center of the background is a vertical black stripe. On either side of that are two vertical stripes of white laced with blue. The painting prominently displays the three colors of the American flag behind the cow skull. I believe she intentionally used a battered cow's skull to represent the enduring and unending spirit of America. While investigating this painting, I also considered the possibility of O’Keefe depicting Jesus Christ on the cross with touches on the strong ties to Christianity. She has the skull in the center, choosing this skull with the particular shape to represent the way Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross.
ReplyDelete