Mona Lisa Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mona Lisa - Research Paper Example 71). The Mona Lisa has an allure that can’t be explained, its popularity to a level where almost anyone in the Western world will recognize the work. Furthermore, the image has become a part of pop art, its imagery of a serene woman with a slight smile gracing items from merchandise such as coffee mugs, t-shirts, and greeting cards. The work has been taken by other artists and re-imagined into their own conceptualization, the imagery a part of the public sphere, thus subject to being used to created post-modern commentary on the consumerist culture. The Mona Lisa is the most famous piece of art in the world, the skill with which it was rendered now secondary to the iconic impact that it has upon popular culture. The Mona Lisa was begun in 1503 and finished in 1506. The work represents all that was best within the discoveries that were made during the Renaissance in painting towards representing reality. The painting uses finely crafted perspective, with all lines converging to wards a singular point. The painting is an example of geometric scaling within a painting, the symmetry and harmony of the piece provided through the triangulation of the composition. Da Vinci used chiaroscuro techniques, the use of light and shadow, to model the curves and features of his subject. Dark undertones were used to create a foundation from which he used multiple layers of thin, semi-transparent glazes, a technique called sfumato. One of the most significant changes in the history of art is represented by the Mona Lisa as the movement was begun away from wall frescos and toward oil paintings that were done on an easel which changed the way in which painted art was most often formed (Strickland & Boswell, 1992, p. 34). It is possible that the piece represents the wife of Giocondo, a Florentine merchant (Strickland & Boswell, 1992, p. 34). However, both because Leonardo da Vinci was known to be a strikingly handsome man with fine features, and the similarities that exist in the basic structure of Mona Lisa’s face to his own, there is some speculation that this is a self-portrait with gender reversal, an examination of how he would look if he was a woman (Cremante & Pedretti, 2005, p. 248). The painting infamously seems to hold a secret, the slight, serene smile suggesting that something more is being shown than what is most obvious in the work. Therefore, the Mona Lisa, with its unclear subject and chaste, yet seductive mystery, is a work that has held the interest of the public since it was put on display in the Louvre and the world was introduced to her. The work is known as the most famous work of art in the world. According to Sassoon (2002), an Italian opinion poll conducted in February of 2000 asked the question â€Å"What do you think is the best known painting in the world?†. The overwhelming response at a rate of 85.8% was the Mona Lisa (p. 9). However, the reasons behind its popularity are hazy, an unclear path that is hard to fully determine. The rise of popularity in the 20th century might be due to the theft that occurred in 1911. The painting was missing for almost two years, thus creating a further mystery around the mythology of the work that is only enhanced by the mysterious look of the woman in the portrait. According to Strickland and Bosewell (1992), between 1911 and 1952, at least 61 recreations by other artists had come into existence, the iconic history of the painting then going fully commercial with the works of Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns making

Reflection Using Gibbs Cycle - Development of Your Academic Learning Essay

Reflection Using Gibbs Cycle - Development of Your Academic Learning Skills and Experience in Practice During 3rd Year - Essay Example Throughout the session, I did various presentations using PowerPoint to horn my visual skills. Ethical issues were also part of communication that I learned. Numeracy was part of module seven and the activities entailed gathering and recording data, understanding research data, drug calculation, and general mathematics. The activities involved in developing IT skills in module seven were word processing, blackboard discussion, searching Databases, Emailing, and the use of the internet. Additionally, throughout the model, I developed learning skills by engaging in activities like literature search, use of literature and research, summarizing information, time management, self-evaluation, and working to deadlines. The model also helped me to know ways of working with others. I now comprehend the role of multi-disciplinary team and negotiating in teams. Feelings At first, it could not see the significance of skills in nursing. However, after meeting severally with my personal tutor, I a cknowledged the importance of skills in supporting my transition into the role of a staff nurse. Evaluation Achievement in developing communication was evident through passing the test, but I failed my oral exam due to anxiety and panic. I also did not do well in exam techniques and I will improve by meeting in groups to share knowledge and read individually for six hours. In the first attempt, I failed drug calculation but I improved by doing weekly practice. This was achieved at a 100 percent on my second attempt. To advance critical thinking skillfulness, I read more books and attended tutorial. I achieved 54 percent in research and 50 percent in the dissertation and this was a good achievement in the critical appraisal skills. How the development will supports my transition into the role of nursing (Analysis) Communication The good communication skills that I developed during the module will help me when shifting from a student to a staff nurse. The written communication profici ency will help me in my career as a nurse because I will need to write clear instructions for the patient to understand. Through the development of the communication skills, I will efficiently communicate verbally in formal and informal way. This will helps me as a staff nurse when making presentations in formal meetings and in my peer work groups. Listening skills will be an important attribute, which will help me as a nurse to assist in getting patients to value me. This is because listening will be a way of showing my interests in what the patients will say. Listening skills is always associated with humility rather than talkativeness. It can be empathetic and therefore therapeutic (Debnath, 2009, p152). Numeracy Numeracy skills will also help me in my nursing profession. The drug calculation skills that I acquired in module seven will increase my competency. Through that skill, I will not make dose errors. It is essential for nurses to be able to make accurate calculations of me dicine doses and to be fully conversant with the component of drugs in current use. Nurses should have an understanding of formulae for complex calculations. This enables them to direct the correct quantity and volume of the drugs. Incorrect drug computations can cause mistakes in prescription and harm patients. Drug computation skillfulness will therefore enable me to give right ratios, percentages, fractions and be able to interpret information found in clinical