The episode discusses the difference between intellectual and popular art, also known as pop art. Host Anastasia explores the historical context of the division between high and low art, which originated in the 17th century with the hierarchy of genres. She explains how the French Academy of Arts established a system where art was categorized into high and low genres, with still lifes, landscapes, and animal paintings considered low, and images of people, particularly those with mythological and allegorical themes, considered high.
Anastasia discusses how this system was challenged in the 19th century by realist artists such as Jean-François Millet and Gustave Courbet, who depicted everyday life and scenes in a more realistic way. The episode also touches on the rise of impressionism and how it blurred the lines between high and low art.
The host then explores the concept of salon art, which emerged in the 19th century as a response to the growing demand for art from the masses. Salon art was characterized by its commercial appeal, with artists creating works that were pleasing to the eye but not necessarily intellectually stimulating.
Anastasia compares the work of two artists, Jan van Eyck and Thomas Kinkade, to illustrate the difference between high and low art. She argues that while Van Eyck's work requires a deep understanding of art history and symbolism, Kinkade's work is more accessible and requires minimal intellectual effort.
The episode concludes by discussing how the concept of good taste is subjective and can vary across cultures and societies. Anastasia encourages viewers to be open to new things and to share their opinions on the topic, emphasizing that there is no one "right" way to appreciate art.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The division of art into high and low genres began in the 17th century.
2. The hierarchy of genres was canonized by Andrei Fillet Bien, secretary of the French Academy of Arts.
3. Fillet Bien associated this division primarily with skill and authors.
4. The hierarchical ladder had still lifes at the bottom, followed by landscapes, paintings of animals, and images of people at the top.
5. The human image was considered the most perfect creation of God on earth.
6. Artists who depicted the human image were considered superior to others.
7. Multi-figure compositions with people and allegories were desirable.
8. Joshua Reynolds, an English portraitist, began to paint mythological characters to raise his status.
9. Antoine Watteau invented a new genre, scenes of court entertainment in a landscape setting.
10. Claude Lorrain promoted the landscape genre by hiding mythological or biblical heroes in his paintings.
11. The Impressionists brought low genres like landscapes and still lifes into high art.
12. The Salon in Paris was a regular exhibition of the Academy of Arts.
13. The Salon initially featured biblical and mythological stories, but later became a platform for mass-market art.
14. Thomas Kinkade, an American artist, became famous for his postcard-like paintings of cozy cottages and landscapes.
15. Kinkade's work was printed on puzzles, calendars, and postcards, making him the most collectible artist of his time.
16. Alexander Shilov, a Russian portraitist, was known for his violations of proportions and errors in volume.
17. Jan van Eyck's painting, "The Arnolfini Couple," is a famous work of art that requires an impressive background to understand.
18. The painting features symbols and gestures that reference ancient Rome and the Old Testament.
19. To understand Rubens' work, one needs to know ancient mythology.
20. To appreciate Titian's work, one needs to understand the peculiarities of Venetian life in the 16th century.
21. To understand Malevich's work, one needs to read his manifesto.
22. Neuroscientists claim that people perceive paintings like Kinkade's as pleasurable, increasing oxytocin levels with minimal energy expenditure.
23. Salon art looked like an honest Instagram, with filtered and often half-naked subjects, luxurious accents, and expensive fabrics.
24. The main goal of salon art was monetization.