Activity #11 - Periods and Cultures

The artwork of an artist is influenced by his or her environment; therefore, art will often echo that of its time and place. In 1960, Jasper Johns created his lithograph “0 through 9”, using stone in black on Arches paper. Joseph Mallord William Turner created his oil on canvas painting the “Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Moonlight” in 1835. The information below will compare and contrast the periods and culture of these two pieces of artwork.

The 1960 lithograph “0 through 9” was created during the 20th-century. This period is signify the point when western art changes. It was during this period that Abstract Expressionism artists came to light. The culture of this period brought about the many changes to the Civil Rights movement. It is identified with the many sit-ins and peaceful protects organized by such leaders as Martin Luther King and Stokely Carmichael.

Where as, the 1835 oil painting “Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Moonlight was painted during the Modern Art period which took place during the nineteenth century. The Modern Art period was between 1800 through 1945. The culture of this period allowed married women the ability to retain their own property. It was also during this period that many technological changes took place in the world.

In conclusion, the two pieces of artwork chosen identifies two of the different periods in art history. Since both are from different periods, the cultures are dissimilar as well.