"Hercules Removes Cerberus from the Gates of Hell"-1855. Johan Koler

June 17th, 2013 

For my final blog I would like to talk about Johann Koler's Neoclassical painting "Hercules Removes Cerberus from the Gates of Hell." For our group presentation we talked about and related Classical, Neoclassical and Modern takes on the 12th labor of Hercules a vase from 350 B.C. As shown here. 

Reflect back on artist life and time in history

Johann Koler was born in 1826 in present day Estonia interesting enough Johann was also a leader in Estonian nation awakening which was the history in time were Estonians came to a nation who had the rights to govern themselves. Johann was actually born of framer parents and worked his way up by going to elementary school and continuing to paint in and study in college.

His talent was later found while in St. Petersburg around 1845. After traveling to various places such as Paris via Berlin, Netherlands, Belgium, Florence and Rome.

 As explained in “Art  Groves Dictionary of Art” by Jane Turner..

What I find interesting about Johann Koler and this specific painting was retracing back to his Country. The fight for his country coming into their own independence. I find it interesting him doing this of Hercules, could this painting stand for the fight between his country being independent. Hercules could represent the country of Estonian and the Cerberus could be the Republic of Estonia which happened 1850 and the painting was made in 1855.

How we can tell this is Hercules

We can tell this is Hercules by the Niemen Lion skin draped over his head and down his body.  Which was Hercules first labor of the 12^th. The Niemen Lion named after the town in which the lion terrorized.  Also we can make this painting identifiable of Hercules by the massive club in his right hand, which he used to kill the Niemen Lion. We can also tell that this is later in his life and labors by his beard.

These traits are also depicted in the vase as seen before as our main subject.  The beard, the club the Niemen lion skin, and of course the 12^th labor the Cerberus, these help to depict a more accurate picture of a closer replica of the 530 BC Hercules vase.

A chimney-piece and temple with a history of Vice and Virtue?

June 10, 2013 -June 13, 2013

Today we visited one of our many historical landmarks on our campus here at Roehampton University.To which we got to visit a beautiful room known as the Adams room. 

The room was named after Mr. Robert Adam, which contributed much to the Neoclassical artictecturhe, interior and furniture designer not only here in London but also in Scotland were he was originally from. Mr. Adam had a passion for creating chimney pieces and we are so lucky to have one them here on our campus. One of the main reason that everyone fell so in love with Robert Adam's chimney displays were displayed to a larger group of the public, not just the very wealthy could have a Adam's chimney piece. On the website Thistle and Rose which best describes Adam's style of chimney piece by saying: 

"The symbol which, above all others, was to characterise this radical change was the mantelpiece which bears his name. While Adam's wealthy patrons continued to favour expensive chimneypieces of monumental statuary marble, either inlaid or meticulously carved, there was another kind of demand on the rise, and it came from a burgeoning professional and merchant class which believed that it too had the right to aspire to good taste in architectural matters. This was a clientele of means, rather than a rich elite, and its spending power, while substantial, had its limits. Their number included artisans, clergymen, shopkeepers, professors, doctors, prosperous widows, and the sons of minor landowners. For them, neoclassicism symbolised cultural advancement and defined Scotland as a progressive country in the mainstream of universal enlightened learning."

The images displayed on our very own Adam's chimney were that of Hercules with Vice and Virtue. Lets talk a bit about Vice and Virtue. In one of the many obstacles Hercules must face, he is made to choose a path, a path of Vice or Virtue. Vice being the easier path full of overindulgence but that perhaps might not lead to victory, or Virtue a more "truthful" harder working way that could lead to a better outcome. Depicted very well in the Adam's Room chimney piece.

While Virtue is looking strong with her armor, hand up as if leading the way, Vice is on the other side sitting, leaning her breast more towards Hercules. Then there is Hercules in the middle stance between these two women his club more towards Vice and the bare of his skin more toward Virtue. Although Hercules appears to be to leaning more toward Vice, with a greater look, it seems to me that he is more putting up a guard and trying put up a barrier between himself and Vice. Where as because his skin is bare towards Virtue is shows more trust in her, that Hercules doesn't need to protect himself away from Virtue. That he knows that Virtue is the "better" choice. 

Why is it so bad to choose more into Vice. Without looking it this with a religious background, she is not offering him a better outcome, but is that not what life is about? Taking that risk? I don't understand why Vice is so misconstrued for being so less of a person? Why because she is a women and she flaunts her sexuality? Maybe if women would have been more praised for owning their own sexuality in the Grecian and Neoclassical times the chimney piece wouldn't be portraying Vice in still this negative light?

Later in the middle of the week our class got to see a hidden Neoclassical Temple, that sadly has been very much run down. The school is trying to save this gem, but unfortunately there just is not any funds for restoration right now in the schools budget. The temple has literally been kept hidden to try and preserve it as much as possible from vandals. It was such a thrill to get to see and sad at the same time because to see pictures of how great it looked a 100 years ago to the life the temple lives now is truly disheartening. How does this relate back back to Vice and Virtue? For me it stands for the unknowing, we have this once very beautiful temple that has now been all but destroyed, my point is that if you choose the said virtue path you still don't know for sure the ending of your story, if you choose said Vice path the wrong path you could have the happiest of ending or perhaps the sadist of ending, like our said temple. 

What makes a myth a myth?

June 7th, 2013


While taking Gods and Heroes of Classical Mythology at Roehampton University, I was shocked to find out that no one really knows were these myths of Grecian time came from. I had no idea. There is so much unknown to the myths still and the myth makers. Is that in its self what makes them myths the not knowing? The Oxford Dictionary definition of myth states:

"a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events."

If we were to look 200 years into the future will our modern day religion become myth? Or is our modern day religion already myth?

This is a hard subject for me to answer. I was raised with a very religious grandmother, and this is apart of my background. I wouldn't say I'm as religious today but I have my own way of believing and to think of my religion as a possibly being just a myth? It is kind of uncomfortable to grasp. Although I'm torn because is myth such a bad thing?

In today's society I find that myth kind of has this negativity around it. This is what I mean with myth I feel as though society views myth as something completely made up with no actual truth behind the story.

Within chapter one of "Religion and Conscience in Ancient Egypt" entitled 'Religion and Myth' W.M. Flinders Pertrie's states:

"Religion in the widest sense may be defined as man’s attitude towards the unseen, and the earliest forms of human thought furnish the clue from which must be traced the development of those great systems of religion that have at different periods been professed by the majority of men. Under the term religion we must include, not only beliefs in unseen spiritual agencies, but numerous customs, superstitions, and myths which have usually been regarded, by both travellers and students, as worthless and degrading, till within a comparatively recent period. Only by taking account of such and comparing usages common among tribes far removed from the influence of civilization with survivals in other parts of the world, can we arrive at any definite knowledge regarding the world’s earliest system of thought."

In this passage I feel as though he gives a more clear interoperation of what I was trying to explain before. That there is something untruthful and story like in the world myth now. Perhaps in Grecian and Roman times  the word Myth would have been used instead of the word religion. In which case who is anyone to judge them on their beliefs. My question is how will our religion be spoken about in 700 years. Will the word religion have the same effect on society like the word myth?

Should the Elgin Marble be moved?

June 5th, 2013

Today our class discussion was on the Elgin Marbles. Before today I had never heard of the Elgin Marbles and the contribution to history, let alone the to the British Museum. Upon today I found out that there is a debate as to if the Marbles should stay at the British Museum or be sent back to Greece where they derived from.

A little pre-historty I found out about the Marbles. The Marbles are actually named  after the Earl of Elgin which retained them from Greece during the 1800's. The Earl of Elgin saved these ancient artifacts from being ruined and not properly maintained. After which Parliament bought the Marbles off of him and put into the British Museum. For a more informative history you can hit the British link above.

Now the debate is should the Marbles go back to the Parathion or should they remain where they are. The British Museum has done a wonderful job at keeping them safe and preserved. My view on the topic is that they should stay with the Museum. The Marbles were given to the Earl of Elgin he didn't take them. I also think that if we start giving back everything that Museums like the British Museum have obtained over the years then when does it stop and doesn't that defeat the purpose of Museum that incase artifacts from all over the world for people to see. London is one of the biggest cities in the world, wouldn't more people see the Marbles if they stayed in London? Another point is that moving them, what if an accident happened while moving them, what if someone tried to steal while being shipped? These are all question the Museums would need to take in account and the people in charge of the Marbles. They do belong to the city of London right now.

Another alternative would be to share them, but as stated before you risk so much with moving them to and foe. If I had a say in the matter if they stayed or went back I would vote for them to stay. They have a nice home in the British Museum, they are well taken care of and maintained.

I can however see the opposing side, the Marbles do originate from Greece. It would be nice for them to be back with the Parathion as a more of a completed set. My only issue is I feel that they would be viewed more in London then in Greece and also the dangers of traveling.

Since starting this blog one of my flat mates actually got to go see the marbles and he again stressed that how well they were being protected very well and even proposed that copies be made and put into the Parathion. Which I think would be a wonderful idea. When it comes down to the debate of the Marbles being moved we have to keep in mind what will be best for these Marbles, there great pieces of man kinds history.

Herakles a God, a Hero or just a case of split personality?

    June 4, 2013

While in class today the main topic was the different traits of Herakles. We discussed his power in strength, smarts and talents. We also discussed that he always had this dual power over him. This dual power got me off on a random thought. Could Herakles had a multi-personality disorder? One personality of his  killed his family, his music teacher, slayed animals and monsters etc. And then there is this whole other "dual" or personality, that mourned the loss and regretted killing, and repented using the 12 labors for forgiveness. 

So I looked up the definition of on multiple personality disorder. And found a direct quote that I think is interesting at the very beginning of the article:

"Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a condition wherein a person's identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personalities. Sufferers of this rare condition are usually victims of severe abuse.Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in—and alternately take control of—an individual. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness."

To me this definition is so relatable to Herakles because him he blames Hera for the killing of his family by driving him mad, what if there was a different spin on the story all together. Hera had nothing to do with the killings he was simply just mad? Could this hero be the mad, fighting and killing side and the God aspect of his dual conscious be his good regretful side? 

When I look at Herakles in these aspects I can clearly see how the multiple personality disorder could be relevant. Does one of these personalities take over more than other? I think he would be of equal parts God and Hero or Good and Bad. For every action he has a reaction. For killing his wife and children he has the 12 labors for him not being purely a God he has to prove himself and die in his human body. Is he more God or more human, which is a different question than if he is more God or more Hero because Hero's are put on a pedestal than a regular human. I think he would be more human then God or a Hero, simply because we as humans make mistakes, and we feel emotions of regret. I think this aspect would tap more into his human side. Struggle I find to be more of a human trait as well. 

As a hero I think Herakles would be the least sympathy emotional but the most physically emotional out of all of his dual personalities. In conclusion, these are just my thoughts put onto "paper" and how I'm trying to look outside the box and into new aspects of the so popular myth of Herakles.

The exploration of Greek myth has always intrigued me, although I am not very enlightened in the subject. I find it interesting how these myths have kept living throughout the years. There is still a power behind them and the stories are still relatable.You just have to find the way in which they are to yourself.

What I hope to take away from this course is more knowledge on the subject. I have taken an "Exploring the Goddess" class at my home school in Chicago and it really help me find myself more, and questions things in life such as: religion, my beliefs, where I stand, what kind of Goddess I most fall under etc. With this class I am lucky because not only will a gain a new out look I'm sure on myself, but I will also get credit for my minor in Women's Studies. So it is a win, win situation for me.

 I find when taking a class like this, you are often in for more than a treat about self-finding then you expect. I also want to learn more about the stories and the history. How we have related that history to our life in the now and to make up our own history surrounding these myths, much like we have with religion in the present. I very much like that we will be using our campus of Roehampton to see how myth and heroes relates so much in the Neo-Classical era.

The course seems fun and exciting and our professors seemed excited to teach us about something she is so passionate about. When coming across classes like this and professors like that, it always helps with making courses more likable and easier to learn and absorb knowledge. Over all with the class I hope I learn something new and I hope I have a nice time while doing so. This is my first time out of the country and I just want to take in everything that Roehampton, London and Europe have to offer me. Cheers!