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Knowledge is defined information and understanding gained through teachings, reasoning, or experience by Dictionary.com. Power is the ability to control one’s environment. Knowledge can lead to having power through reasoning and understanding.

Bibliography

Bibliography

Bacon, Francis in Venn, J. & J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge University Press, 10 vols, 1922–1958.

Snyder, James. Northern Renaissance Art, 1985, Harry N. Abrams

Birte Lundgreen, "A Methodological Enquiry: The Great Bronze Athena by Pheidias" The Journal of Hellenic Studies 117 (1997, pp. 190-197) p 198.

Barack Obama Hope Poster

“Hope”-Shepard Fairey (2008)

Shepard Fairey created this poster during the 2008 presidential election for Sen. Barack Obama. Shepard Fairey created this poster because he agreed with Barack Obama’s political views. The Smithsonian Institute acquired this poster shortly before Obama was inaugurated (Based on Shepard Fairey lecture).

In Shepard Fairey’s eyes Barack Obama was a very knowledgeable, well informed person. Fairey believed that the previous president was not an intelligent person, and therefore did not deserve power. Barack Obama, however deserved the power because of his knowledge.

Abraham Lincoln

 “Abraham Lincoln”-Daniel Chester French, 1920.

This larger than life statue was built to commemorate the 16^th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln is a good example of how knowledge must be used in conjunction with power to overcome difficulties and obstacles. President Lincoln guided his nation through a very turbulent time; he used his resolve and knowledge to keep his country together.

This monument uses classical Greek temple architecture on the exterior to better convey the use of knowledge by President Lincoln. The use pillars and the larger than life statue make Lincoln appear to be god-like. Lincoln is shown seated in a Roman senate chair.

Vitruvian Man

Vitruvian Man- Leonardo da Vinci, 1487.

  This early depiction of the proportions of man is an example of the knowledge acquired during da Vinci’s time, which later led to the power to construct art sculptures that were perfectly proportioned (Wikipedia).

Leonardo da Vinci had an extensive knowledge of the human body. This knowledge of the ideal human proportions allowed sculptors to create balanced, lifelike sculptures. This drawing shows the balance and proportionality of man, which is also a component of power.

The Tree of Knowledge

The Tree of Knowledge (Lucas Cranach the Elder c. 1500) uses the nakedness of Adam and Eve to depict the lack of power they have before they gain knowledge by eating the fruit presented to them by Satan.. Clothes symbolizes power because the more clothes has on the more powerful they are, the same goes for how well the clothes look.

In this painting, Satan is depicted as an innocent looking child to better deceive Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. This fruit would give humankind great knowledge, and a great power over the Earth. The artist is trying to depict how obtaining knowledge and power can have bad consequences such as being banished from the Garden of Eden.

The School of Athens

The School of Athens (1510), by Raphael depicts the power that the students must have by their elegant clothes and the knowledge by the use of light throughout the painting.

The lighting in the picture is symbolic of the enlightenment one receives when obtaining knowledge. The multitude of people at this school also signifies strength in numbers and the joy of learning together. This piece was created during the Renaissance, a time when Europe was celebrating their knowledge and educational reform. The figures in the painting are believed to be ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras (Wikipedia).

The School of Athens (1510), by Raphael depicts the power that the students must have by their elegant clothes and the knowledge by the use of light throughout the painting.

The lighting in the picture is symbolic of the enlightenment one receives when obtaining knowledge. The multitude of people at this school also signifies strength in numbers and the joy of learning together. This piece was created during the Renaissance, a time when Europe was celebrating their knowledge and educational reform. The figures in the painting are believed to be ancient Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Pythagoras (Wikipedia).