On Woodcut of Johannes Gutenberg in the Town of Mainz, Essay Example

Introduction

Art is most often than not defined as the finest form of expression that humans use to transcend their understanding towards matters and issues that are evident in the society (Greenberg, 1961). It is through this form of definition humans are able to put themselves in their works and have these pieces of craft represent who they are and what they want to send out to the public as a form of message. In the discussion that follows, an analysis of the Woodcut on of Johannes Gutenberg in the town of Mainz shall be better defined. Through the elements defined by Paul Martin for analysis, the said work of art shall be better considered hence making an extensive indication on how much this particular art represents both the artist and the level of understanding that the artist has especially when it comes to the impact that Johannes Gutenberg has on the society that the artist himself exists in.

PART 1:

• Inventory

The dedication of Gutenberg in the field of furthering the different aspects of printing in Mainz has specifically placed him in the pedestal of recognition that people specifically well recognized. In the woodcut form of Johannes Gutenberg, it could be analyzed that somehow, the course of development that is defined in the said art work is the fact that the values of Gutenberg was well represented as he was noted to be holding the bible close to his heart. Another remarkable part of the art form is that of the type molds that represent his legacy to his town and the world.

• Composition

The wood that was used to create the said form of imagery specifically puts the intricate attention on the details that makes Gutenberg a form of specifically indicating a more defined way of considering him as a an epitome of success in Mainz. The elements used in the said art work specifically create a consistent indication of what Gutenberg represents and how he affects the society that he lived in.

• Visual Cues

The intricate form of designing his clothes to make them more natural and the whole form more alive has been one of the most constructed images of the entire stature. Likely, it could be realized that the visual presentation of the personality of Gutenberg was based upon the form of his face and upon his entire physical attributes. The robe that was placed upon him in the figure was specifically a form of identity placing him at a higher ground that identifies his standing in the society as a well noted personality who the society practically identifies with.

• Semiotic signs and codes

The bible and the type molds in his hand specifically identify the primary semiotic signs in the form. These elements describe not only the personality of Gutenberg but also his beliefs that made up who he is and what he has become as an icon in the community of Mainz.

• Cognitive elements

Maturity and integrity, these are the primary characteristics that are present in the being of Johannes. The band in his head specifically shows his intellectual capabilities and indications of the maturity he has as a man which he has shown in his career as the father of the modern printing industry. His stance specifically indicates a man with integrity who defines everything to point out that he has something new to offer to the world.

• Purpose of the work

This work has specifically intended to bring about the realization to Mainz on how important Gutenberg has been in their history and the history of the world. Creating a wood cut stature for the man is a sign of completely supporting the course of development that he has created for the printing industry and respecting his legacy as an individual with exceptional being.

• Image aesthetics

Being made from wood as it is, the entire piece holds natural beauty with intricate details that make the entire form close to the live-form of the man (Lester, 2006). The paint the covers the said form of stature makes the details stand out and specifically give more meaning to the entire craft.

PART 2:

• Personal

I personally like it as it defines the being of a human individual who has done exceptional matters for the world and for the industry that he has chosen to be best noted along with. Gutenberg’s expertise shown through the image was rather definitive of who he really was which gives the art work more worth and more meaning for the society that recognizes it. The utilization of elements such as the bible and the type molds gives an indicative definition of who he really was and what he meant to the people of Mainz and later on to the entire human generation.

• Historical

Johannes Gutenberg was an exceptional person with exceptional contributions to the world. The legacy that he has left after his death specifically makes him a considerable individual who deserves recognition and this was the primary reason why the said form of stature was erected in memory of Gutenberg and the work he has done.

• Technical

The intricate forms of his face, his hands and the detail of his clothing all make this authentic art-find a valuable form of craft. The creator of the stature specifically noted on how much alive the form of Gutenberg should appear. With the details he used to represent the form of Gutenberg, he was specifically involved in making this stature a remarkable indication of Gutenberg’s contribution to the success of the printing-press industry during his time which was later on carried on the current era of operation.

• Ethical

As repeatedly defined, the artistic form of the representation of Gutenberg was more than just a directed creation that would bring about the recognition of a socially known individual. It was a representation of the legacy of the individual and how he managed to affect the industry he worked for in phenomenal ways. Hence, the ethical considerations pointed out in the creation of the craft included his reputation as an individual as well as his reputation in the industry he was known for.

• Cultural

The cultural values defined through this art form is the fact that people intend to recognize how one contributes to the development of the human society. It could not be denied that with the transformation of the society from traditional to modern, respecting the legacy of individuals who have brought about such recognition in development is of course a step towards informing the generations to follow the current one of what the man in the stature has contributed to the growth of the society that he has provided assumptive support and the legacy he has left for everyone else in the world to recognize.

• Critical

The critical ways of combining both wood and color intends to create a specific form of art that more than just define the being of the person being represented by the stature. It also gives the created craft a higher value. This is what is being defined in the wood cut of Johannes Gutenberg and specifically manifests a closer form of what he has become to the society which gives the said art a higher value not only to the people of Mainz but for the whole world.

Overall Reaction

Every art form has a definitive value. Most often than not, such value lies on what the art represents and how intricate the details have been made to be able to bring out the underlying message within it. With the creation of Guttenberg’s wood stature, the value of the entire art form specifically notes the plausible worth that the person being represented has on the society (Rosenberg, 2000). Beyond that, the assurance that every aspect of the art defines the personality of Guttenberg and his legacy along with the values he adheres to which makes him more of a role model to the people and not only as an artistic presentation of how prominent he has become to the society.

References

Lester, Paul Martin. (2006). Visual Communication: Images with Messages. United States: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Greenberg, Clement. (1961). Art and Culture Critical essays. Beacon Press. pp.:154-157

Rosenberg, Harold. (2000). The Tradition of the New. Beacon Press.