The Portrait of Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Essay Example

The Portrait of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe by artist Angelica Kaufman is reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman culture in several ways. Firstly, it is important to note that the subject, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is painted from mid-torso and upwards. This is similar to the bust sculptures made in ancient times. Interestingly, the frame of the painting is cut in a way that excludes van Goethe’s hands, which is a second similarity shared between this painting and the typical Greek or Roman bust statuette.

While the colors of the painting allow a sensation of liveliness compared to a bust sculpture, it is important to consider that it is likely that the busts were painted to bring a greater sensation of live to the otherwise stoic figures. It is difficult for us to predict what colors were used on these ancient statues because the paints used have disintegrated overtime. However, we can assume that a majority of the colors that were used were found in the natural environment of the Greeks and Romans. Since the development of modern paint colors is relatively recent, this would indicate that these ancient artists had many Earth tones available to them. The von Goethe painting certainly makes use of Earth tones. The image itself is very dark, which is mainly due to the brownish background. However, von Goethe’s dark coat and dark hair contribute to this sensation.

A major similarity between the Renaissance and the time period in which the ancient Greeks and Romans lived was the interest in knowledge and sheer wonder at the existence of the universe. While religion was an important part of both time periods, they both deviated from religion as the only means by which one could answer questions. As a consequence, many well-known ancient Greek and Roman figures were portrayed with either a curious or enlightened expression. The von Goethe painting is no deviation from this. Although he is portrayed in darkness, he has an expression on his face that makes him appear to be thinking about something. His eyes are focused at the viewer as if he is trying to transfer these thoughts to them.

The Renaissance perception of beauty involves somewhat of a depth to meaning. While we view the von Goethe portrait immediately as just a portrayal of the man, it is certainly symbolic of the learning that had occurred during ancient Greek and Roman times. This is the obvious symbol due to the relationship between the Renaissance and ancient Greek and Roman times, although there appears to be a second meaning as well. Since the von Goethe painting is very dark in the background and his clothing is dark as well, we focus on the man’s face. I believe that attention is called to his face because we are expected to focus on his mind. In a sense, this means that thought and intellect is “light” whilst all else is “dark”. The ancient Greeks and Romans would certainly agree that knowledge is the only means of good that exists in this universe.

In “Italian Journey”, von Goethe discusses classical art by claiming that “These masterpieces of man were brought forth in obedience to the same laws as the masterpieces of Nature. Before them, all that is arbitrary and imaginary collapses: there is Necessity, there is God.” This quote ties together the wants and needs of creating art for both the people of the Renaissance and ancient Rome and Greece. Nature and God are forces that interact, and it is man’s duty to determine how this impacts the universe.