Spirited Works of Art Sparked by Revolution
Throughout the centuries, great political upheaval and civil unrest have inspired many powerful works of art. From the great mosaics of the Ancient Roman Empire, to the powerful works of 20th century artists like Diego Rivera, there have been many beautiful pieces of art which have been crafted as a result of revolution and political strife. To explore these works of art, and to understand why they have been so revered by posterity, here are some spirited works of art sparked by revolution.
Ancient Roman Art and Revolution
The history of artwork inspired by revolution extends back to the Ancient Roman Empire. At the time of the Roman Republic in the first century BCE, mosaics were popular in Roman households. These mosaics were often adornments that represented political, religious and military accomplishments of the Roman Republic. This was often done via mural art, which often portrayed battles and triumphs of the Roman Republic during this period.
One of the most famous mosaics of the period was the Perge Inscription. This mosaic was crafted in around 20 BCE, in order to celebrate the tribunician authority of Augustus. This mosaic was crafted with much skill, using over 1500 marble slabs, and it measured a whopping 120 meters by 25 meters.
The mural was a monument to Augustus and his successful reign as Roman Emperor over his conquered territories. As such, it is regarded as one of the first protest works of art of its time.
Michelangelo’s Political Impact
Moving forward a few centuries, the influence of politics and civil unrest can be seen in the art of the great Renaissance master, Michelangelo. Michelangelo’s works were often directly affected by his political leanings and the politics of 15th century Rome. An example of such a work is his painting, The Entombment.
The Entombment is an oil painting crafted around 1500, which depicts the burial of Christ. The painting is seen as having had direct influence from Michelangelo’s religious belief. Namely, the painting is seen as a symbol of the suffering and difficult life among the Catholic people,as well as a symbol of his protest against the papacy and their stance on various issues.
Diego Rivera and the Mexican Art Scene
During the 20th century, and as a result of increasing exploration of the intersection between political unrest and artwork, many prominent works of political protest were crafted. Such was the case with Mexican mural artist, Diego Rivera. His works, which spent much of the 1920s and 30s in New York, often featured political and social figures.
One of his iconic works is Self Portrait, which he painted in the 1930’s. This painting was designed for the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and it depicts his childhood during the Mexican revolution. The scene features Diego as a small child standing atop a Mexican pyramid. Around him are various political and military figures which have featured prominently throughout the revolution and its aftermath.
The painting has become an iconic representation of the political unrest which occurred around the Mexican revolution, and it serves as a reminder of the power of works of art to capture the spirit of a time.
Artistic Roots of the Iranian Revolution
Most recently, in 1979, a great political upheaval occurred in Iran. This event, known as the Iranian Revolution, removed the Shah of Iran, ushering in a new era of Islamic theocracy. While this has had its adverse effects politically, it has also had a profound impact on the art of the area.
During the 1980s, in particular, the art of Iran explored topics relating to the Iranian Revolution and its political struggle. One of the most important artists during this period was Farideh Lashai. Her works often explored the tension between the Islamic theocracy and the struggle for freedom. One of her works, The Passage of Time, explored the theme of loss and exile in a similar fashion to how Diego Rivera captured Mexican scenes of struggle.
Lashai’s works are considered to be some of the most influential pieces of art during the era of the Iranian revolution.
These are just a few examples of the powerful works of art which have been sparked by revolution. From the Roman mosaics of the 1st century BCE to the 17th century paintings of Michelangelo, to modern works of art like those of Farideh Lashai, art affected by revolution is universally recognisable, and it speaks to the power of art to communicate ideas and emotions.Despite the turmoil which often surrounds revolution and civil unrest, these works of art serve as a powerful reminder of the beauty which can come from struggle.
