Mluccas People Research Paper

Oreva Eleyae

10/17/16

ARTS 1301

Professor Mayer

Didactic Statements

Artist

Moluccas Peoples

Artist Nationality

N/A

Title

Crown

Date Created

16th-17th Century

Medium

Gold

Accession Number

2006.538

The crown shown above is an outward portrayal of the values of the Moluccas people. The Moluccas people are a group of islanders that inhabit several islands off the coast of Indonesia. The crown displayed above is an example of a metalwork technique called repousse. The technique of hammering behind metal, in this case gold, allowed for close attention to be paid to the intricate details of the face, tree, and roosters. This crown is made of gold. The gold being indicative of a wealthy social status. A female royal member inherits crown

Queen Victoria inherited the throne at the young age of 18 after the unfortunate deaths of her father, grandfather, and three uncles. Queen Victoria married her first cousin and had 9 children who married royally across the continent, earning her the name of “The grandmother of Europe”. Queen Victoria remained in power for 63 years and the Victorian Era was known for its expansion of the British Empire as well as, drastic changes in the military, social, industrial, scientific, political, and cultural aspects of Europe. It is crucial to understand that the significance of this particular work lays in the portrait of Queen Victoria. The portrait itself was made by fusing powdered glass, at extremely high temperatures, until it melts, cools, and then hardens. The view of Queen Victoria in candor is indicative of a theme seen throughout her reign, simplicity. Queen Victoria was an advocator of shedding the habits that so easily ensnares us and reducing life to its barest form. The brooch itself is simply 14 parts real gold and 10 parts other metals which is nothing compared to the vast wealth of The Grandmother of

Margaret of Austria quickly became an influential member of her husband’s court after she bore him a son. Margaret of Austria was a patroness of the arts and was considered astute in her political dealings and wielding of her power. The artist of this work, Juan Pantoja is able to apply special attention to the Queen of Spain’s ambience with the use of oil. The almost black background allows the queen in her pale ensemble to stand out as the focal point. The oil paint used in the work allow for the viewer to take note of the intricate detailing on the queenly regalia of the subject as well as the pursed facial expression on her face. The creases in the handkerchief with the fine embroidery along the borders, are indicative of her social status. The creases in the cloth portray the idea that this expensive handkerchief is one of the various luxuries the Queen is capable of affording herself. Many portraits of Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain show detailed activity of her right hand whether it be holding an item, petting and animal, or engaging a