Assignment 5b

Choose any piece of artwork, image, lyric, poem, writing, film you may have come across when researching 5a. If you did not come across any on your initial search, research again. Analyze it using the following:

Portrait of Miguel Hidalgo........by J.C. Orozco
http://www.terragalleria.com/north-america/mexico/guadalajara/picture.mexi32114.html

The portrait of Miguel Hidalgo, being the man I researched for 5a, perfectly displays the entire essence of the man and the oppression that the people were feeling. It also radiates with the feeling of anger. Anger over the injustice? Anger of his personal trials? Anger that brought on the fight for independence? All of the above and more? I think this portrait exemplifies the saying that one picture is worth a thousand words in the subject matter being examined. In googling Miguel Hidalgo, this site and reference came up, and again, I feel it sums up the feeling and actual events of this time.

There is so much to see in this piece of art. We see Hidalgo thrusting his fist in power and anger. We see what appears to be a flaming instrument sweeping across a canvas of people, places and things before him. Could he be forging a weapon of war? Could he be cleansing an area of injustice? Perhaps the piece of art is showing him as the man instrumental in change. there are crosses and Soviet emblems, perhaps since the art was created later. Miguel looks angry, determined, wanting to do whatever is needed. He also has a look of concern..perhaps the concern for the people that drove him to take them in and teach them skills, such as metal work. He was certainly not portrayed as a violent man. Just a man who recognized the need for drastic change and felt the need to be instrumental in that change for his fellow man. The lines and techniques are very geometric, giving a somewhat harsh and well defined organization, showing a man with a clear focus. A bland background with a palid shade for the people, showing their helplessness with a bright flame of determination.

The artwork is about Miguel Hidalgo and his driving determination to free the peoples of the enslaved bondage that they were under, with the lines and colors, and features of his facial expression.

I chose this work of art, although not made from the exact time period, because of the strength and power displayed. It is at the top of a stairwell, and I could just imagine climbing the stairs and being awe-struck by this piece. Again, I think the lack of color in the major part of the piece, contrasted with the color and lines in his face and the power of his body position, along with the bright flaming sword (perhaps), all blend in with the condition of what each section of the piece represents. I see that the artist must have had so much respect and admiration for the man he captured in this mural.

I couldn't find much in the way of an exact explanation of the work. I know what I feel I see in the piece is quite obvious, but would like to know if the feelings and assumptions I get out of the piece is what was intended or felt by the artist. I would like to know just how much he knew about the man, not just what he did. Was there more to the man than his constant struggle to find a better life for his people?