From Pregnant Rihanna to Kylie Jenner’s Faux Lion, 2023’s Media Moments Evoke Renaissance Art
In the year 2023, pop culture moments took on a new dimension as they began to resemble scenes from Renaissance paintings. Whether it was the visual density, sense of mystery, or the complex grouping of figures, these moments captivated audiences and drew comparisons to the masterpieces of the past. As the year came to a close, we reflect on five images that brought art history to mind and showcased the artistic flair of our modern era.
A Pregnant Rihanna at the Super Bowl:
During her headline performance at the Super Bowl in February, pop star Rihanna donned a daring outfit that revealed her baby bump. As she floated in the air on a platform surrounded by performers in white, Rihanna evoked the central figure of Mary in the Master of the Saint Lucy Legend’s “Mary, Queen of Heaven” painting. The resemblance between the two figures, one from 1485/1500 and the other from 2023, is striking and adds a touch of Renaissance elegance to the Super Bowl stage.
The Kens Go to War:
In the summer blockbuster movie “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig, a scene featuring a battle between an array of Barbies and Kens caught the attention of art enthusiasts. The meticulously composed scene brought to mind Andrea Mantegna’s engraving “A Battle of the Sea Gods” from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the all-male Barbie battle lacked the allegorical figure of Envy, the juxtaposition of the two artworks highlights the timeless themes of conflict and power.
A House in Chaos:
The U.S. Congress has been plagued by chaos and gridlock throughout the year, resulting in dramatic photographs that resemble works of art. One such photo, featuring representative Matt Gaetz’s dramatic gesture, bears a striking resemblance to the main figure in George Caleb Bingham’s painting “Stump Speaking.” While the chaos in the present-day House surpasses that of Bingham’s small-town politics, representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez finds her parallel in the bemused onlookers of Bingham’s scene.
Beyoncé’s (ahem) Renaissance World Tour:
Queen Bey’s Renaissance World Tour became a cultural event that exuded the essence of a Renaissance painting. Beyoncé and her husband, Jay Z, known art enthusiasts, incorporated sculptures, robotic technology, and ultraviolet lights into their performances. One standout moment featured Beyoncé on a mirror-ball horse, reminiscent of the cover of Renaissance itself. The striking similarity led art critics to speculate whether her inspiration came from John Collier’s famous painting “Lady Godiva.”
Kylie Jenner Channels Hercules?:
At Schiaparelli’s couture runway show during Paris Fashion Week, Kylie Jenner made a bold statement by wearing a life-size faux lion head as an adornment. This pre-release from the label’s Spring-Summer collection, inspired by Dante’s “Inferno” and the nine circles of hell, drew comparisons to Francisco de Zurbarán’s depiction of Hercules fighting the Nemean Lion. While some criticized Jenner’s outfit, others saw it as a statement against trophy hunting, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Conclusion:
The year 2023 witnessed an intriguing convergence of pop culture and art history as iconic moments resembled Renaissance paintings. From Rihanna’s pregnant Super Bowl performance to Kylie Jenner’s faux lion ensemble, these images captivated audiences and sparked conversations about the intersection of contemporary culture and artistic inspiration. As we reflect on these moments, we are reminded that art can be found everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.
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