Ludwig Van Beethoven was a musical genius that assumably everyone has heard of and recognizes as one of the most popular Classical musicians of all time.  He was a successful composer by the age of 30 despite losing his hearing and eventually becoming deaf by the age of 35.  His Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor “Quasi una fantasia”, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata was completed in 1801 in Vienna, and was rumored to be dedicated to a pupil of his that he was supposedly in love with.  He included the phrase “Quasi una fantasia” in the title, which means “almost a fantasy” because the first movement is not in regular sonata form, and where the three or four movements are arranged in a fast-slow-[fast]-fast sequence, the Moonlight sonata possesses an end-weighted trajectory; the climax is held off until the third movement (Wikipedia).

The following is a link for the piece and while listening to it, one can hear the simplistic yet emotional notions of the music and realize that anyone would find this enjoyable and calming.  During the Classical era, the middle class were uprising and demanding art, music and theatre that could be enjoyed by all classes, not just aristocrats and those of wealth.  Beethoven made many, many compositions which could be and were enjoyed by the middle class as well as those that were in other classes at the time.  Today, Beethoven and other Classical musicians provide anyone who wants to listen with a kind of art that is stimulating yet relaxing and definitely enjoyable.

http://www.amclassical.com/mp3/amclassical_moonlight_sonata_movement_1.mp3

Assumption of the Virgin by Antonio Da Correggio (1526-1530)

 The Assumption of the Virgin by Antonio Da Correggio is what one sees when they look up at the dome of the Cathedral of Parma.  Correggio worked on this piece of art from 1526-1530Assumption of the Virgin and it is without a doubt, his most famous work.  It portrays the Virgin Mary being accepted and ascending towards Heaven with layers of clouds and people that are floating and seeming to dance in happiness at the event.  The layers created a 3 dimensional look to a 2 dimensional space along with the creation of the illusion of depth by using color contrast.

 The dramatic and obviously religious subject matter is what draws me to believe that Correggio’s influence for this piece of art came from the Council of Trent.  The Council of Trent was convened to be a Counter Reformation in response to the Protest Reformation and mannerism that was occurring at the time.  The Catholic Church wanted art to be appealing to all.  It wanted it to be ornate, yet easy to understand with a narrow focus on subject matter while being dramatic enough to clearly communicate religious views and stories to faithful followers.  The location of the Assumption of the Virgin (in a cathedral) also is an obvious connection to the Catholic Church and its influence on art and artists of the Baroque period.

I found this piece of art so appealing because if its ornate detail and illusionistic qualities.  The light at the top of the ”dome” represents Heaven in a positive, significant way while the rest of the painting is darker without being dark in a truly negative way.  Illusions are interesting and intriguing, they draw a person and encourage him/her to really look at the painting and understand what is going on.  It’s not confusing but it’s amazing how someone can create a painting in such a way that a person is in awe of its complexity while at the same time fully comprehending the message and emotions that the painting portrays.  I feel like this painting is something that people could look at for minutes or hours and still get satisfaction because of its beauty.  Also, the subject matter appealed to me.  Mary’s Assumption to Heaven and the reactions of all those involved was enlightening and brought up emotions of happiness, excitement and content.