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Eve Tempted by the Serpent by William Blake
William Blake painted “Eve Tempted by the Serpent” as an allusion to the Bible, specifically Genesis in the Old Testament. Blake’s painting fuses his drawing skills and painting skills, as he first sketched this scene and then painted over it on canvas. Blake’s portrayal of a scene from one of the most famous pieces of literature addresses the themes of temptation and greed in relation to man. These biblical teachings are beautifully portrayed in Blake’s painting. -
"Cupid Playing with a Butterly" by Antoine-Denis Chaudet
This work is by all accounts a complex, symbolic sculpture. While on the surface this is a beautiful work of art, another aspect of its power is in what it represents. Chaudet sculpted this to represent Greek mythology, namely the pysche, or the soul. The butterfly is tempted by Cupid and its soul becomes harnessed and imprisoned. While Cupid may appear innocent in this sculpture, Chaudet proves things are not always as they appear. Cupid has a hold over this butterfly’s soul. -
Arc de Triomphe by Jean-Francois Chalgrin
The Arc de Triomphe is an impressive piece of architecture found in the heart of Paris among historic monuments. It was built as a way of honoring fallen soldiers. The Arc has the names of all generals who fought during the Napoleonic Wars engraved on the inside and throughout the top of the arc. It is considered a sight of patriotism and remembrance among the historic axis, which is a group of monuments stretching from the famous courtyard of the Louvre to just outside of the city. -
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen, in this critically acclaimed novel, uses satire and other forms of humor to mock English country life and the double standards of its moral code. Austen’s writing was ahead of its time in the depiction of this romance novel now widely read in literature classrooms all over the world. The novel has a place in the literary canon as it covers universal themes, such as love, marriage, wealth, class structure, and societal codes. -
The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
In 1814, Francis Scott Key composed this song titled “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which would later become the anthem for the United States of America. Francis Scott Key composed this song after writing the lyrics in a poem about the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of the War of 1812. This song contains a wide range of notes, and is one of the most challenging to perform. It is now one of the most powerful symbols of freedom in America, especially because of the poetic lyrics. -
Polonaise in G Minor by Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin’s Polonaise in G Minor was written for a solo piano piece. It was among a greater collection of polonaises he had written in his lifetime. Chopin was dubbed a “child prodigy” for his ability to compose and play complex pieces. He was an astonishing seven years old when he wrote this composition and it was quickly adopted by the Russian royalty, who played it for his military band. Polonaise in G Minor is known for its quick shifts in tempo and complex structure. -
"Head of a Guillotined Man" by Jean Louis Theodore Gericault
Gericault used incredible real life forms of cadavers provided to him by friends in the medical field to gain inspiration for this painting of a man who has been guillotined. He extensively researched this concept to realistically portray this grotesque sight. His dark colors effectively symbolize the devastating and painful nature of a death such as this one. Furthermore, this painting opens up dialogue about the nature of torture and punishment, themes which are still being debated today. -
A Minor Caprice (No. 24) by Niccolo Paganini
Niccolo Paganini was revolutionary in music composition, as his compositions are some of the most challenging to play due to their intricate detail and range in sound. He wrote twenty four capricci, which challenge all aspects of violin technique. His last is perhaps his most famous as it has inspired many compositions that have followed after its inception. It has been reproduced by other major composers, including the famed Franz Liszt, which is a testament to its complex structure. -
The Buckingham Palace by John Nash
The Buckingham Palace is a mesmerizing structure built for the English monarchs. It became the official royal palace in 1837 after architect John Nash added to the already monstrous existing structure. The three wings of the structure surround a meticulously landscaped courtyard. The palace has gilded gates complete with sculpted horses. Today, the Buckingham Palace is a tourist destination and hosts the ceremonious “changing of the guard.” It is earns millions in revenue for London each year. -
"Allegory of Profane Music" by Caspar David Friedrich
This is a drawing that was done as a representation of sacrilegious music. The Grand Duchess Alexandra Fyodorovna had a project completed in which she wanted musical allegories to be made to demonstrate the connection between drawing/painting and music. In this allegory, the strings of the harp are made to symbolize the physical existence of the church. Friedrich is exploring in this drawing the abstract concept of what is real and present as opposed to what we conjure up in our minds. -
Harmonies Poetiques et Religieuses by Franz Liszt
Harmonies Poetiques et Religieuses is a cycle of piano pieces written by Franz Liszt. Liszt was a devout Catholic growing up and many of his works have sacred themes. This cycle of piano pieces is deemed a masterpiece among musical compositions. Music theorists regard this work as an unmatched masterpiece that strung together music unlike any sound even today in modern music. -
Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson composed one of the first works of transcendentalism in Nature. He used material from his personal diaries and lectures in compiling this essay. Emerson addresses a major human concern in this essay, which is the way in which human beings do not appreciate the raw beauty around them in nature. Emerson’s themes in the nineteenth century prove to be even more relevant today as there is a growing consciousness of the environment and the dangers of taking it for granted. -
Houses of Parliament by Sir Charles Barry
The Houses of Parliament are a demanding presence in London’s center. They are surrounded by the Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and London Bridge, among other tourist attractions. The architecture can be described as Gothic in nature, although the structure is really a combination of ancient and modern buildings as it has been added to over time. This structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its sheer beauty and magnificence. -
"Silver Mirror" by Louis Jacques Mande Daguerre
Daguerre was a French artist accomplished in many aspects of fine art, but he became most famous for his accomplishments in photography. Daguerre invented a technique involving light transfer that allowed a faint image to be developed into an actual picture. This process is comparable to a modern Polaroid and his discovery revolutionized the photography field. One of his first productions was that of Silver Mirror. Many of his later productions involved portraits or landscapes. -
Genius of Mirth by Thomas Crawford
Genius of Mirth was created in the nineteenth century to appease an audience of people who, during the 1800s, appreciated scupltures of young children. Crawford’s sculpture depicts a young boy, about seven or eight years old, who is finding pleasure in the simple things. He is deemed a “genius of mirth” because he has mastered the ability to be happy. The sculpture celebrates joyousness and spreads a message of hope. It is detailed in the intricacies of the boy’s clothing and headpiece. -
Woman in the Nineteenth Century by Margaret Fuller
This essay is a work ahead of its time written by feminist Margaret Fuller. This essay explores man’s ability to inhabit the earth and share godly love. It is noted in this essay, however, that only man is being recognized of having this unique ability. Fuller explicates that it is her hope that one day women will have the same opportunities as man in sharing the earth and establishing divine love. Her overall message is one of equality and her activism has inspired the feminist movement today. -
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
Frederick Douglass, the author of this poignant memoir, is one of the most famous American slaves and abolitionists. He wrote this narrative to expose the dark reality of slave life prior to the Civil War. Frederick Douglass became a powerful voice in the abolitionist movement, and this narrative is one of his most memorable reflections of his non-fiction account of life as a slave. This memoir is a gateway to the past and a roadmap to our understanding of America’s ancient discriminatory ways. -
"Nelly Was a Lady" by Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster had noticeable racial overtones in his musical compositions; however, he was an uncontested professional when it came to composing poetic lyrics and music that spanned several genres. He is widely known as the “father of American music.” Unfortunately, much of his music was used in racially motivated minstrel shows to portray slave life. Nelly Was a Lady” is a poetic tribute containing dialect that portrays plantation life and loss. Foster is one of the first known folk singers. -
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter is part of the Romanticism literary movement and ia set in Puritan Boston in the 17th century. This novel explores the themes of sin, guilt, and forbidden love. Furthermore, it exposes the double standards placed on women in deeply religious, Puritan times. Hawthorne brilliantly challenges the established moral codes of a society and demonstrates through his main character, Hester Pryne, how dangerous it is when a society passes unfair judgment on a person's character. -
"The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Allen Poe
This story is a dark, Gothic piece of literature written by famed author Edgar Allen Poe. Poe was a master of horror tales, and many great pieces of horror literature and film stems from his early influence in short stories such as this one. This particular story is based during the Spanish Inquisition and follows the intimate struggle of a prisoner of war awaiting his impending death. Poe explores the morality of torture methods and discusses the potential evil that exists in human nature.
