Non Western Art Critique

Deanna Miller

Humanities 101

Feb 28, 2016

          Madhubani art is a traditional style of Hindu painting that originated in the Mithila region of Nepal. The paintings are distinctive and a prized part of the Mithila culture. The distinctive style is passed on through the women of a family, from mother to daughter, and so the tradition lives on even today. Madhubani painting is a traditional folk art with themes that have changed through the generations. Originally painted on the mud walls of a family’s hut for decorative purposes, Madhubani paintings have gained in popularity and are now sold commercially for profit (Color of India). Older Madhubani paintings displayed themes of a symbolic nature that represented fertility, rejuvenation, or prosperity. These paintings originally served as a preparation of marriage and so themes like fertility were appropriate. Other traditional themes include depictions of Gods and Goddesses. The eyes of the subject are oversized and almost always shown in side profile. The themes of today reflect current issues facing women and are considered more socially charged than before. Painting is seen as a women’s tradition and women of the region have taken advantage of that fact and have begun using their paintings to bring about awareness of women’s rights in the themes of modern Madhubani paintings (Madhubani Painting). Madhubani paintings serve as an important cultural aspect of the region and will remain so for generations to come.

          Madhubani painting is distinctive from other Hindu painting styles in many ways. Although it is not known when Madhubani paintings originated, The Madhubani region has had its own distinct regional identity for up to 2500 years. Madhubani paintings are created on mud walls, canvas, or cloth. To apply the natural dyes and pigments women of the region use a multitude of tools such as twigs, matchsticks and fingers (Indian Folk Art…). 

          Color is an important aspect of Madhubani paintings as almost all Madhubani paintings are colorful if not overly so. Realist color choices are not used in Madhubani as people are often shown in deep shades of blue or yellow. Modern Madhubani paintings however usually depict people in neutral flesh tone shades. Animals are also a popular subject of these paintings and are also shown in side profile with overly large eyes and also in unusually colors. Colors are also very highly contrasting. A color on one side of the spectrum may be used adjacent from a color on the other side. For example blue next to yellow or red next to green. This contrast creates a pop in the paintings that is very eye-catching. 

          Another distinctive aspect of Madhubani paintings is the use of repetition and the use of space. Shapes are repeated over and over till fill almost all available space. Small flower shapes, circles, squares, and lines are very repetitious. There is almost always a decorative, repetitive border on Madhubani paintings that further fills empty space. Although the repetition makes if difficult to distinguish between the background, middle ground, and foreground, one could see the main figures as the foreground and middle ground and the repetitious shapes and flowers as the background.

          There are some other things to be mentioned about the seven elements of art that make Madhubani paintings unique. The seven elements of art include line, shape, color, value, form, texture and space. As mentioned above color and space are the main factors that make Madhubani paintings unique. The value of the colors is very uniform and there seems to be no effort to create the illusion of light in these paintings. There are no tints or shades. The texture of the older Madhubani paintings would be more emphasized because of the application of color using fingers or more basic tools. Today these paintings are mass produced prints with no texture. The application of lines are thick and sometimes harsh. The form of these paintings is very two-dimensional and has very little depth because of the lack of value in the colors. Objects are both organic and geometric with the central figures being more organic and the repetitious background being more geometric.

          The principles of design should also be mentioned when analyzing Madhubani paintings. These seven principles include unity, rhythm, emphasis, pattern, movement, contrast and balance. As mentioned above contrast, pattern and rhythm are important principles of Madhubani paintings. Most paintings feature some kind of symmetrical balance with the use of small repeating shapes in the background. There is some movement in these paintings but with the lack of value it is not very noticeable. There is emphasis on the main subject of the paintings because the repeating background is easily overlooked and draws the eye to the subject rather than the background. Unity is also seen in these paintings as even though there is a lot of details in these paintings they are all of the similar design and so they work together well. 

           Madhubani paintings are an interesting part of this local culture and will continue to be popular for generations to come. These paintings preserve a local culture and help spread this rich culture to all around the world. 

Works Cited

"Color Of India - Madhubani Art." Color Of India - Madhubani Art. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

"Madhubani Painting." - India, Madhubani Art, S Bihar. India Tours. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

"Indian Folk Art of Madhubani Painting." HubPages. HubPages. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

Deanna Miller

Humanities 101 CRN 31983

February 6, 2016

Architecture Critique Blog Post

            Most consider the ancient Greek architecture found in exotic European cities and countries like Rome, Greece and Athens to be some of the most beautiful the world. Those people would be correct. The Ancient Greeks contributed much to many areas of life like religion, art and philosophy but today we will discuss their contributions to architecture. But not architecture on the other side of the world. If you take a look around you might just find a little bit of ancient Greece in your back yard.

In Dauphin County Pennsylvania you will find Chocolate Town USA- Hershey PA. One might not think of Greece when thinking about Eastern Pennsylvania but you will find a little bit of the Ancient Greek way of life on the corner of Chocolate Avenue.

The Hershey Trust Building at One Chocolate Avenue was built in 1905 and has stood firmly since. It may have changed hands many times over the years but its purpose and architecture have not. Milton Hershey ordered the construction on the building to fit the growing financial needs to the city. The credit for its growth goes mostly to Milton Hershey himself. You do not get a town named after you for nothing after all. Originally the Hershey Trust Company in 1905 and opened on June 15th, the building later became the Hershey National Bank 20 years later in 1925. After that the Hershey National Bank was acquired by PNC Bank. According to the Hershey Archives website the front of the building as well as the majority of the interior was rehabilitated in 2006 following its acquisition by Bryn Mawr Trust Company. Today the building is owned by Bryn Mawr and is still used as a financial institution for the city of Hershey PA. (Hershey Community Archives)

The building is flanked by two large columns with the distinctive volutes on the capital of the column meaning this building is of the Ionic order. The columns of the Ionic order are thinner than the other orders but you might not realize it while gaping at them (Muscato). There are other columns around the back end of the building as well. These smaller columns are used to support the roof over the drive-thru at the back. This was a bank for many years after all. These columns are also of the Ionic order. The majority of the building is made of brick. In addition there is a small arch over top of the door with an inset sculptural design underneath it. This is also indicative of the Greeks as the arch first appeared in Mesopotamian architecture. (History of Architecture) The building itself is not very ornamental or decorative. The builders were most likely not interested in decorative pieces. The Hershey Trust Building features a portico or porch, albeit a small one. The building also features a large pediment although it is rather plain and also not decorative.

Of the three Orders of Greek architecture, Ionic seems to be the most appropriate. The two large columns command respect. Fancy art work and decorative pieces were not what the designers of this building were going for. Corinthian and Doric Order would not have been fitting for this building. The Hershey Bank was built for one purpose and one purpose only- to provide a reliable and stable financial institution for the entire city of Hershey. The bank being the "money god" of the modern era. The Ionic Order is most fitting for this type of building. The building has since changed hands over the years but all the owners of this building are in the finance industry and the finance industry is in the business to make money. Money is a very serious issue so avoiding decorative capitals on the tops of the columns. The use of volutes on the Hershey Trust Building creates an atmosphere of trust and properness, strength and stability; just what is needed for a financial institution. The Ionic order is the usual order when building post-Renaissance libraries and courts of justice which should be viewed as “learned and civilized.” Vitruvius (c. 70-15 BC) wrote that Ionic design is "an appropriate combination of the severity of the Doric and the delicacy of the Corinthian." (What is…) Vitruvius is most correct in my opinion.

In conclusion the Hershey Trust Building is one of refined architecture. The Ionic Order suits it well even after all these years. There is no doubt in my mind that the builders of the Hershey Trust Building were looking to impress the public with its architecture, to prove that the building will still be standing over 100 years later. As Julia Morgan says “Architecture is a visual art and the building speak for themselves.”

Works Cited

"Hershey Community Archives | Hershey Trust Company." Hershey Community Archives |

Hershey Trust Company. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.

Hershey Trust Building photo-Google Maps

"HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE." HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE. History World. Web. 02                   Feb. 2016.

Muscato, Chris. "Ionic Order of Greek Architecture: Definition & Example Buildings - Video &    

Lesson Transcript | Study.com." Study.com. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.

"What Is an Ionic Column?" About.com Home. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.