Art History: General Sketch, Government And Effect

Art History Name Course: FAH216S Instructor Date 1) Good government and effect Fig. 1: General sketch, government and effect Ambrogio Lorenzetti depicts a prosperous medieval city, and people specialized in different work and commerce, and bountiful harvests in the countryside. There is harmony in the ideal political climate despite violence in the middle Ages. The atmosphere of happiness and peace common in societies with good governments is not by accident since people working in a stable environment. The implication of this is that good governance is partly linked to safety and security of the people. In the socio-political result of the way of governing, good governments allow citizen participation and produce the best results evidenced by the welfare of all social classes, peaceful citizens, and prosperous agriculture.[Diana Norman. Siena, Florence, and Padua: Art, Society, and Religion 1280-1400. 1995, 148] 2) Bad government and effect Fig. 2: General sketch, bad government and effect, by Student In modern times, bad governments represent the lack strong institution and when there are good institutions, people are motivated, their work is protected, there is less corruption and the state uses resources fairly for the common good. Corruption, restrictions on freedoms, institutional and moral crisis where there is lack of justice are associated with the lack for support for egalitarian ideals. Countries with unstable or incompetent governments deplete resources to wastage and political patronage makes it difficult for all the people to take advantage of the opportunities available without facing unnecessary restrictions. Good governments get results compared to bad governments. 3) Government composition. Fig. 3: General sketch, Government composition, by Student Causes and effects are relevant to understand how political order and authority affect the society. Political iconography is like commentary on societies and the idea that war is closely linked to bad government is explored in Lorenzetti‘s paintings. The reign of tyrants contrasts with that of good governments and the government composition influences the policies that are implemented. When there are malicious characters in the government, this will be reflected by the use of falsehoods and propaganda to lie to the populace. On the other hand, if the officials acknowledge the importance of open and democratic institutions they are inclined to stop cruelty and corruption. Part 2 Fig. 4: Detail painting, Good Government, by Student In both the cities and the countryside good leaders and strong institutions, avoid pillage and waste and achieve better human progress than in societies with bad governance. Ambrogio’s fresco that represents the effects of good government on the city is an idealization of the city where there is a continuous flow of activities in all sectors because of good government in a city governed with justice. Similarly, the beauty of the surrounding countryside, emphasizes the importance of good governments, while of justice, which is an important aspect of good governments is absent in bad governments. The politicization of art helps to understand how political, social, religious, cultural and religious issues influence a...