This is one of my favorite pieces of art. The size of this marble sculpture is amazing to have created, standing about 17 ft tall. Unlike previous depictions of David, Michelangelo decided to show David before his battle with Goliath. It represents strength, power, and protection. It its located in Florence, Italy. It symbolizes now the defense of civil liberties in Florence.

David

No, these pictures are not supposed to be the same at all, they are both street scenes at night but if you look at Japanese woodcuts and look at a lot of Van Gogh's work, you will see a similarity, The style that Hiroshige used (Ukiyo-e)was a major influence on Vincent Van Gogh. Yes even way back then in the mid to late 1800's people and art got around. In 1854 the Kanegawa treaty opened the doors to Japan and all things Japanese flooded Europe. In 1867 the Pairs Exposition Universelle had a Japan booth and the Parisians and Artists flooded it. Everything "Japan" was now the hottest fashion. Claude Monet even did a painting of his wife in a kimono called "La Japonaise". Van Gogh was quick to buy some prints.

Hiroshige

Van Gogh

Speaking of influence

I was just googling paintings and this came up. It's kind of weird but really cool at the same time. It just shows that you don't only have to paint on canvas or paper. I really enjoy all of the detail in the trees. All of the colorful leaves and tiny branches then the tiny road leading to the tiny house. It is really amazing how this was done. You can tell this was really thought out before being placed on her face because everything works so well together, and fits perfectly. I really want to watch someone do this to someones face. It would be so interesting to see how long it takes and the process.

Often, artists look to other artists for inspiration and ideas. Sometimes the influence can be seen and sometimes not. Sometimes it is not just a subtle influence but a downright copy with subtle changes for their own personal taste. Here is an image by Hiroshige, Evening Shower at Atake and the Great Bridge, from the series "100 famous views of Edo". A woodblock print from around 1856-8

Here is a painting that Vincent Van Gogh did called Bridge in the Rain, in 1887

Here is an image I did after the Van Gogh piece. I used a combination of techniques on this image including 3D modeling for the bridge and umbrellas, digital Paint and paint synthesis and it all started out as a Massonite and white glue collagraph that was scanned. Yes the pseudo Japanese writing around the border is totally gibberish and probably says that my cat ate my underwear. I don't know if the writing in the Van Gogh piece is fake or real, Any translators out there?

Artists inspire artists