Conclusion

Often it is hard for artists to fully explain what they are experiencing as they create their art. They want the viewers to connect, to feel the emotion of the masterpiece, but sometimes people just can't relate and understand. However, the beautiful thing about power is that everyone has experienced an inspiring or moving moment of their life, from disaster to joy. With this in mind, artists throughout time have used power to connect the dots, to tie the viewer to the piece, guiding them to understanding the meaning of the artwork.

While some beliefs have passed as the years have gone by, fading as cultures and beliefs change, some images transcend time. These are the themes at the core of life, ever present in the ordinary day, and no matter what happens to society, they will always remain. How can you erase love? How can you destroy sadness? How can you obliterate power? They are the basic foundations of emotion, the human nature that will never go away.

Concerns of the particular societies are reflected in the works I chose. Many of the artists knew that art is an incredible way to advocate for a deeper, hidden lesson or theme to their viewers, often giving them a new perspective on the issue. For example, although Benjamin Stahl created Jesus Is Condemned to Death to honor one of the Fourteen Stations of the Cross, he also painted it to inspire the generation of the 21st century. He recognized that modern times had begun to put faith in the backseat, encouraging people to focus more on worldly possessions. Stahl wanted to remind believers of our incredible faith and that what the world offers us now does not compare to the sacrifice Jesus made for us 2000 years ago.