The Art of Memories

One thing that has always intrigued me is the intrinsic connection between art and memory. Specifically the way in which art is used to capture those snippets of time, and document the people, places, and things we most hope to remember. This connection has been in place for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Some ask what is the purpose of art, or why do we need it in our lives? There is a myriad of responses that I can give, but instead I will show you some examples. 

Jan van Eyck, The Arnolfini Marriage Portrait, 1434
( http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk)

This is the Arnolfini Marriage Portrait painted by Jan van Eyck, a master artist of the 15th century
Northern Renaissance.  It serves a number of purposes, as a double portrait of this newly married couple, documentation or proof of the marriage and its witness, and perhaps not as obvious, a physical reminder for this couple of the day of their nuptials during a time when photography had yet to be invented. It is celebrated in art history for the exact and precise hand of the artist, as well as the iconography incorporated in the image. This form of memory-making/ memory-keeping is still practiced today by couples on their wedding day, however photography is the medium used, due to the ability of the photographer to capture both the posed portraits and candid moments of the couples special day. In fact, searching for the perfect photographer is often part of the many items the bride checks off the list in preparation for her big day so that the images that are left are in a style in line with the bride's tastes.

William Henry Jackson, Mouth of Patterson's Creek, 1892
(http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections)

 Another purpose art has related to memory is to document change over time. William Henry Jackson was one of the many photographers tasked with the documentation of American expansion westward in the post Civil War era. From these early photographers we have in our collective possession images of our country that have nearly ceased to exist due to the constant change and evolution of the American landscape. Photographs play a huge role in the memories we have and make. Major events in our history are best remember through the images that were left behind. The Great Depression, WWII, the Vietnam war, the Civil Rights Movement, these are all events in which we have striking memorable images- works of art- that help us remember. 

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Lunch at the Restaurant Fournaise, 1875

Finally, we also find examples of artists attempting to recreate the effects of memory andthe way we remember images and events. The Impressionists were one group of artists at the turn of the century who painted in a style that gave the impression of how and/or what the artist was seeing. Rather than attempting to document every possible detail, the Impressionists attempted to recreate the play of light and color on their surroundings. We are able to read or understand the environment and what is being depicted, but the image is slightly blurred, almost as if the artist closed his eyes and painted the image that his memory was recalling instead of what was right in front of him. 

These are just a few examples of this intrinsic connection between art and memory. I can't help but wonder if it is so palpable because of our dependance on our senses, specifically vision, when it comes to living our lives, as well as our communication through art. 

~ Caitlin