Monday, April 20, 2015

Blog Post #5/6

Title: Nativity Scene
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Wood, dye for tint of wood?
Dimensions: 6.5 by 11 inches
Country: Poland
Year: c. 2000
Source: Gift from family friend


This is a two dimensional wooden craving of the nativity scene, also known as the birth of Christ. It’s been hanging on our wall for quite some time now, and I always catch myself looking at it at least once a day. My mother has received if from one of her friends when they went to visit Poland around Christmas time. This object was not used for anything except for being hung up on a wall, enjoyed by people.  I have picked this piece because I find it’s cravings to be pretty interesting. Also, being a Roman Catholic it means a lot to me. As a religious piece and also historic piece, knowing the true meaning behind it definitely makes this carving more meaningful. I highly admire it, and do not think that I will ever get rid of it. John Cotton Dana in The Gloom of the Museum states, “Art museum objects were not chosen for their beauty, or for their help they might give in developing good taste in the community, but for their rarity, their likeness to objects found in European museums, and for their cost”. I agree with Dana, because the piece I have chosen would not be up in a museum. It is made up of plain wood, and some sort of dye used to tint the wood, which is most likely common. There is plenty of beauty and meaning behind this piece, but due to the fact that it’s made from such a standard material, the chances of it being up in a museum is slim to none.

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