Unit 1- Art and Beauty
Diego Rivera’s Flower Carrier has always evoked great joy within me. My grandmother had a replica of this painting in her kitchen on the pantry door. Though simple in its nature, I was always drawn to its vivid colors, shapes and comforted by the action in the painting. In reflecting on the reading “Art and Scholasticism’’ by Jacques Maritain, I now have a much deeper appreciation for this piece of art and its artist. Before I always assumed that art and beauty were synonymous with each other; I never thought to distinguish each individually to arrive at an understanding of the artwork and the artist. Maritain provided great insight to the artist’s vocation, their habitus and the connaturality to the art itself. It makes sense that the artist provides a vision beyond his or her own self that comes fully from the heart but also involving the intellect. The focus of this creative act that creates beauty. I also concluded from the text the importance the artisans have in shaping our understanding of the world. For example, in the early church in California the Franciscan friars utilized the various works of Christian Art such as paintings or statues to teach the Catholic faith. After reading Maritain, I feel a greater sense of pride and connection to the Flower Carrier. I am aware that many of Diego Rivera’s art pieces were used to point out societal struggles and the inequity due to capitalism in his home country and especially in the United States. The painting itself is beautiful. I was fortunate enough to see it in person as a child on a field trip to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. I felt pride then because I had recognized the painting from my grandmother’s home and was impressed to see a Mexican artist have such prominence. At the time I did not know who Diego Rivera was; I just knew that he was someone who looked like he could be part of my family. After reading Maritain, my appreciation has grown further for Diego Rivera with a little more understanding of his craft, the effort, love, time and dedication that he put into this beautiful piece of art. The painting reminds me of the dignity of work, and I believe it also depicts struggle. Can a full basket of gorgeous flowers be that heavy to knock you down on the floor? Possibly. The beauty evoked from this piece of art is the appreciation of teamwork, of working together with a partner knowing that his burden is not his alone, that the woman, probably his wife, is helping him. That key part has always been important to me because my grandmother would always remind me we are never fully alone.
