Commedia Dell'Arte (Italy Blog 2)

Commedia dell’arte was Italian comical improvisation where the actors wore masks. This performance was mainly presented in the streets. They were filled with crude sexual humor. The Troupes consisted of 12 to 15 members. Commedia dell’arte was a great way to show an actor’s talent. The performance was public viewed.
A Video that portrays what Commedia Dell'Arte might have looked like.

Reference: "The Concise Oxford Reference to The Theatre", Brockett, and You Tube.

Niccolò Machiavelli (Italy Blog 1)

Niccolo Machiavelli is best known for being a political philosopher but was also a playwright. He wrote pieces, such as, “The Prince”, which was written in 1513 and published in 1532. Machiavelli wrote “The Prince” to teach the importance of history and the political behavior of the Greeks and Romans. He also clearly added, “that rulers could maintain their power only by resorting to immoral tactics and strategies” (Magstadt, 109).

Reference: You Tube and Magstadt

This video captures an intriguing insight from the time of Machiavelli and how his time has effected modern America.

The Price of War (France Blog 2)

With France having had eight civil wars, one can ask themselves how France had the time to partake in the Neo-Classical arts. Mortifyingly enough, the arts perhaps is what was being fought about, and rightfully so. The wars had mainly to do with the Monarchy versus the Church; the Protestants versus the Catholics and who would rule. It probably didn’t help either that both the Monarchy and the church were spending the country’s money on miraculous art (ie: lavish castles, churches, visual art, performing art, clothing, etc) instead of using the money to aid the people. To the left is Versailles, which is filled with breath-taking art, chandeliers, and a space where several theatrical performances were held.

References: The Oxford Companion to Western Art

Où Sont Les Femmes De France? (France Blog 1)

Where were the French women during the Neo-Classical period? Women have been performing, since 100 C.E. in India, and in China since the eighth century. So why did it take so long for women in France to make a name for themselves? Possibly because France is a newer country compared to others. After all China was a unified nation before France and eventually did not allow women to perform in Beijing during the 1770s. So we can see how countries that originated as pro-feminism, later conformed to average ideals. Having said this, Italy was progressing faster than it’s neighboring country, France. However there were women in France who influenced the arts, but they were born in Italy. Marie de’ Medici had great power when her son, Louis XIII became king at age nine and Queen Catherine dé Medici of France (1560-1574) who greatly enjoyed the festivals. So how did French women originally break through the Neo-Classical period? French women, such as Comtesse de La Fayette (1634-1693), expressed themselves during the Neo-Classical period through writing.

Reference: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History