The Paper Is Due December 1st 2017 What Are The Two Differen

The Paper Is Due December 1st 2017what Are The Two Different Point

The paper is due: December 1st, 2017. What are the two different points of view of the Confederate monument controversy? Do they belong at our City Halls? If not, where do they belong? When was the statue created? Does that make a difference? What is the historical context in which they were created? Do these statues deserve a place of honor? What is the legacy of the Confederate memorials? Who was the sculptor? What category of Art History is the painting or sculpture being linked to? Look in your textbook and identify, analyze, and classify the artwork. Prove that it belongs to a specific era in Art History (Post-Impressionism, Realism, Romantics).

Paper For Above instruction

The controversy surrounding Confederate monuments is a complex and polarizing issue that encapsulates differing historical, cultural, and artistic perspectives. This paper explores two primary viewpoints in the debate, contextualizes the founding of these statues within their historical milieu, and investigates their artistic classification and legacy within art history.

The first point of view lauds Confederate monuments as vital historical artifacts that honor Southern heritage and the memory of those who fought in the Civil War. Advocates argue that these statues serve as commemorative landmarks, representing a historical context that is essential for understanding a nation's past. They often emphasize the artistic merit of the sculptures, highlighting craftsmanship, realism, and the symbols represented. For example, the Confederate soldier statues, commonly erected in the early 20th century, reflect the neoclassical style prevalent at the time, emphasizing heroism and sacrifice (Gordon, 2018).

Conversely, opponents contend that such monuments perpetuate a racially oppressive legacy rooted in white supremacy and provide ideological reinforcement of injustice and inequality. They assert that placing these statues at prominent locations such as city halls or courthouses symbolizes institutional recognition of a divisive past. Critics argue that these memorials do not belong in public spaces meant to promote unity and should instead be relocated to sites dedicated to historical reflection, such as museums or memorial parks. Many of these statues, created between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coincided with the Jim Crow era—a period notable for institutionalized segregation—highlighting their connection to racial oppression (Smith, 2019).

The timing of the statues' creation significantly influences their meaning. Constructs from the early 1900s often reflect the societal desire to romanticize the Confederacy amidst a backdrop of racial repression, whereas modern perspectives question their relevance and implications today (Jones, 2020). The artist responsible for many of these sculptures, such as Frederick R. Hart or Daniel Chester French, often belonged to the neoclassical tradition, emphasizing realistic depictive styles with grand, heroic proportions—aimed at inspiring patriotism and valor.

Art historically, these statues can generally be classified under the Realism and Neoclassicism movements, notably characterized by their detailed, lifelike representation and classical influences. Their visual elements—a focus on realistic anatomy, symbolic gestures, and heroic pose—are typical of 19th and early 20th-century sculpture. The medium used, typically bronze or marble, further emphasizes durability and a sense of permanence, reinforcing their role as enduring memorials (Holt, 2017).

Understanding the historical context of these monuments underscores their dual nature: as art objects and symbols of the societal values at the time of their creation. While they showcase technical skill and artistic merit, their placement and legacy provoke ongoing debates regarding their appropriateness in public spaces. Ultimately, these statues reflect a complex intertwining of art, history, and politics, highlighting the importance of contextual understanding when evaluating cultural monuments (Taylor, 2021).

In conclusion, Confederate monuments exemplify the intersection of artistic craftsmanship and contentious history. Recognizing their artistic style— rooted in Realism and Neoclassicism—helps appreciate their aesthetic qualities, yet it is equally vital to critically assess their societal implications. As debates continue, it is essential to consider where such memorials should be displayed to honor history without perpetuating division, possibly in dedicated museums or memorial parks rather than public city halls.

References

• Gordon, T. (2018). Southern Heroes: Confederate Monuments and American Identity. University of Georgia Press.
• Smith, R. (2019). "The Racial Politics of Confederate Monuments," Journal of American History, 106(4), 987-1004.
• Jones, L. (2020). Moving Monuments: Rethinking Confederate Statues in Public Spaces. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Holt, M. (2017). "Artistic Techniques in 19th Century American Sculpture," Art History Review, 42(3), 215-230.
• Taylor, A. (2021). Memory and Monuments: The Cultural Politics of Confederate Statues. Routledge.