Miki's Page
Hi, I am Miki. Let me introduce myself.
I am from Hokkaido. I have lived in Tokyo for ten years. Time
flies.
I remember the time when I arrived in Tokyo, it was rainy and the air smelled like other Asian countries. I felt nervous but I was excited. For me starting to live in Tokyo was like starting to live in some other unknown countries such as in Africa or so.
At first I thought people in Tokyo were cold, but soon found
they just looked cold because they don't smile but
they were very kind when I asked for help.
I started to use PC last July. Since then I enjoy email and
internet. I'm in contact with all my friends who live in foreign countries by email, it is easier, but
in Japan, not so many friends of mine round my age use
PC . I should be younger to use PC especially in Japan.
I have studied at the phoenix since last October. All the classes
which I have taken are very interesting and useful. All the teachers
are very kind and nice. Now I read "the story of painting" that
is a textbook using in the Modern Art class. It is difficult to read but fun.
I don't have any idea what things I can do in this homepage class. I just try to do my best to get basic idea of making a homepage. Please take care of me.
"Primavera" by Botticelli
It is getting warmer and warmer.. I feel that spring has come and the warm weather reminds me of "Primavera", a famous painting by Botticelli. "Primavera" means spring. It is a beautiful painting.
First please click the following URL and open a different window.
http://www.puc-rio.br/wm/paint/auth/botticelli/botticelli.la-primavera.jpg
Can you see the painting?
We can see eight figures and a Cupid in the
painting. They seem to be enjoying the nature and the air of
spring. Do you know who they are and what they are doing in the picture? They
are connected to the Greek myth. I will explain you each figure of this
painting.
[1] Zephyr
At the most right of the painting, there is a
pale blue faced figure with wings. He is a Zephyr, the
Greek god of the west wind. He looks bad in this painting but he is a spring
god. He brings spring
with west wind. He is a very kind god.
In the beautiful Greek story, " Cupid and Psyche", Zephyr kindly
brought Psyche to Cupid. Psyche is the most beautiful human lady. Cupid fell in
love to Psyche. There is a beautiful painting of this story in the Louvre
museum.
[2] Chlolis and Flora
Next to Zephyr are Chlolis and Flora. Chlolis
is wearing a see-though clothes and is chased by Zephyr and
Flora is wearing a clothes a lot of flower patterns. Their appearances are
completely different. Chlolis seems to be running away from the wind god and is
scared of him. Flora doesn't care what is happening in her next and stands up
straight and see us confidently..
In the story, Chlolis was kidnapped by Zephyr and married him. Zephyr gave her
the eternal garden of flowers and she became the goddess of flower Flora.
Actually Chlolis and Flora are the same goddess; She changed herself from
Chlolis to Flora. We can see flowers coming out from the mouth of Chlolis.
[3] Aphrodite (Venus)
In the middle, we can see the woman who
placed herself higher than the others wearing beautiful clothes. She is
Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. Above her head, the trees make an
arch. From the ancient time, the Virgin and Child are often placed under the
arch in the Christian art. This painter used the form of the Virgin to Venus.
[4] Three Graces
To the left of Aphrodite, we can see three
women. They are called the Three Graces. They are the servants of Venus. They
represent the three aspects of love: beauty, desire, and purity. Interesting
enough, there are many arts of the Three Graces which have the same position in
painting. Just click below, you can see some arts with the same pose of them.
http://www.mcu.es/prado/villanueva/10.jpeg
This below, it takes a little while to down load, but you can see beautiful
Raffaillo's "the Three Graces"
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/r/raphael/z_other/3graces.jpg
The woman on the left is the most active and has the big outstanding brooch. Her
hair is disheveled. The drapery of her clothes is more excellent than the
others. Obviously she represents "desire".
The woman In the middle wears a simple dress with no accessories. She faces
against the "desire". She represents "purity".
"desire" and "purity" are always standing against each
other. .
the woman on the right represents "beauty". She harmonizes the
friction between "desire" and "purity". Also she represents
the awakening of love and beauty.
We already saw the right side of this painting, changing Chlolis to Flora. It is
also representing the awakening of love and beauty. That's why in the very
middle of this painting, Aphrodite (Venus) is standing confidently.
[5] Cupid
Cupid is an angel of love and a son of Aphrodite (Venus). In this painting,
Cupid is blindfolded and aims his arrow to the one of Three Graces. He is aiming
"purity". This Cupid represents the negative side of love that means
"Love is blind".
[6] Mercury
At the very left side of this painting, we can see Mercury with his symbols. He
is the messenger of god. His symbol are winged boots and cap. He is also a god
of travel. He has the cane entangled by snake and or dragon icon.
He is very alert because of the winged boots and cap. Quicksilver is also called
mercury because it runs away through our hand when we try to catch. Mercurial is
also from the name of Mercury, it means changeable.
What is Mercury doing in this painting? I cannot find any answers about the
presence of Mercury in this painting. I have to guess. From my guessing,
this Mercury also represents the negative side of love as Cupid. People's mind
is easy to change.
Did you enjoy the painting?. It is interesting to interpret the meaning of paintings, isn't it?