Artist Creates Life-Size Sculptures Of Women Inspired By Renaissance Art, Reveals The Beauty Of Female Form
Chinese artist Luo Li Rong creates life-size bronze sculpture art of women inspired by Renaissance and Baroque sculpting techniques. Her statues are usually captured in motion, often with their dresses or garments seemingly fluttering in the breeze around them, and the artist’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every crease and fold is precisely where it should be. Rong has been creating modern sculptures for much of her life, having studied at Beijing’s Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of a famous sculptor Wang Du. Later she turned her attention to sculpting techniques used by European artists in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, something that seems to define much of her contemporary, realistic artworks. Scroll down for some of her best sculptures, combining the best of Renaissance and modern art techniques.
More info: Luo Li Rong | Facebook (h/t)
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This is absolutely wonderful work. But I am still curious as to why oriental artists, almost to a person, seem to use Western(Caucasian) subjects instead of fellow orientals. Its almost as though they have elevated westerners over themselves. Does anyone have any thoughts here?
I don't think, that this artist choose to create a caucasian face because she wanted to elevate westerners over her own race. Many westerners love to paint or are inspired by oriental people too! She may "admire" caucasian figures and she felt inspired to create this sculpures, but to "admire" is way different than to "elevate" one thing over another. Moreover, the text says that she is inspired by Renaissance art, so this may be the specific reason why this sculptures have an european look.
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I find it ironic that you are one of those people that has, in the past, commented 'Why bring up race!' on many a posts yet here we are...Also, as someone who is actually of Asian descent, I can tell you that not all of us have 'Mongoloid' eyes and flat faces. Actually, right now walking the streets of Tokyo you will see many full-Japanese faces that don't look like the Western-imagined stereotype. And yes, I DO happen to have that Psychology degree, too.
First, "Asian" refers to people and "oriental" refers to inanimate objects. Next, some of the subjects appear to be Asian and some appear to be Caucasian. The Renaissance inspiration appears to be linked to the timeframe where "veiled" sculptures were popular. Several artists are known for carving figures out of marble with such skill that they appear to be real figures wearing thin sheets of cloth. "The Veiled Virgin" and "the Veiled Christ" are a couple popular examples of the technique.
Sir , The word Oriental used only on material things such as Rugs, Vase, furniture And for human being it's ASIANS .
well my thoughts are, why do you think these are Caucasian subjects? i see nothing of their profile that looks specifically white or Asian. Body structure, face type and hair style can all go either way there.
It is quite obvious, the faces could not be of more distinctively Caucasian characteristic. And oh, the blond hair.. If inspired by the renaissance, the Caucasian features would make sense. However, if that were her true aim, the bodytypes should be far more curvy. I see a very stereotypical style in every figure, all portraying the same idolized beauty image of OUR time, not the renaissance. And with little to none artistc edge or expression. She is skilled indeed, but at handycraft, not art. Imho.
First of all, the eyes are not Mongoloid, with the eye fold that helps prevent snow blindness. It is generally accepted that Asians(Mongoloids) developed in ice age conditions where light bounced off icy terrain. Secondly, the hair which is wavy and light in color. Asians have straight black hair that is also coarse because the hair's cross section is almost perfectly round for absorbing heat. With Caucasian(Indo-European) the hair is elliptical in cross section, which produces wavy/curly hair. Congoloids(Negroid) and Austroloids(Aboriginals) have flat cross sections which result in tight, kinky, curls. I realize that there is more to this than the Carlton S. C**n definition, but it is easy to explain the phenotypes here.
You actually used the word "oriental" instead of Asian? Jesus on a cracker...
because they have. countries like japan see white European people as the standard of beauty. i live in japan for 10 years and sadly japanese women dont think they are pretty for them white features are what beauty is even when Japanese and shout Korean women are really beautiful.
Ana, you may have a point, perception wise. However, beauty is a universal equation that humans mammals, and even birds recognize. Its called the "Golden Ratio of Beauty". Its also called "The Fibonnaci Sequence", after the Italian mathematician who first noted the sequence of 1 to 1.613. Here's the Google search results of "Beauty and the Golden Ratio": - https://www.google.com/search?q=Beauty+and+the+golden+ratio&rlz=1C1GKLB_enUS702US704&oq=Beauty+and+the+golden+ratio&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.5607j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 . If you are just glancing, "The Math Behind the Beauty" is a great start, but the equation for beauty is scientifically proven and it is something that is very interesting, and well worth knowing about. Japanese should also have the same perception of beauty that other humans have. I think this may also have something to do with paranoia, since they are often neglected and their husbands tend to spend a lot of time socializing without them, with other women.
There's a ton of eastern art that includes Asian figures. Do a little research.
I was wondering the same thing, sir. For international approval?
It could be Gwen. But I also know that Asians, especially those who have retained the Arctic phenotypical traits, are shelling out big dollars to have these characteristics removed. The reason for the eye fold which causes the eyes to look partially closed, and the high arching zygomatic(cheek) bone are from natural selection. By these two conditions, it allows Asians to live better in land with snow and ice, and counter the reflected light from the sun. Having grown up in Alaska I well remember the advantage of squinting eyes and wearing special gear to keep the glare out of the eyes, so this placed Asians at a 'select' advantage in ice age conditions. The Inuit, who live in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia, have these characteristics that are very pronounced. They are also very compact, which is also typical in many Asians, because it keeps the body from 'dumping heat' in a cold climate. Like I said before, this is a thriving industry in Asia, removing these traits.
I'm sorry where did you get that the sculptures are western subjects. To me I see the artist's own face on most of these women.
What European features most east Asians have high check bones like the sculptures and the eyes are slightly slanted, remember not all east Asians have the strong pronounced Mongolid features, just look at the uyghurs in east China and other adjecent populations. But the way your arguing and face these so called discussions ready tells me, this is something that has been on your mind.
Please read my response to "BREAK YOUr perceptions". phenotypically, the statues are all Indo-European. The sculpter has a much more fuller face, mostly due to the high zigomatic arch, which is common with Asians. In fact, there is a thriving business in changing that arch to less prominence, in Asian countries. - Here's a peer reviewed paper that discusses this: "Facial Contouring Surgery for Asians" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884897/ . And here is a Google search of images to show what I mean: "Images for popular surgery in Asia on zygomatic arch " - https://www.google.com/search?q=popular+surgery+in+Asia+on+zygomatic+arch&client=opera&hs=yJY&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyeHH2MDWAhUEsVQKHQm1CpkQsAQIJw&biw=1600&bih=771 . This is a Huge industry in Asia.
Ugaas, Its pretty well an established that hominids originally migrated "Out of Africa" in different waves. Probably the earliest we know of are still Homo Erectus who were around as late as 15,000 years ago. But these groups also interbred and mixed their genes. So naturally there will be different groups, even in areas where they are a minority. Oh, one other thing to keep in mind: the Toba eruption of somewhere around 75,000 years ago. There are Pre-Toba and Post-Toba migrations. Also, all this is so complicated that it all may never really be known about which group went where and exactly when. But remember, this was during the last glaciation and ice sheets and glaciers played an important role in channeling group migrations.
After I cringed at you referring to asians as "orientals" I then went back and re-read the part where the art was "inspired by Renaissance and Baroque sculpting techniques" which are heavily european.
We are not rugs. Don't call us orientals. Just because she creates different races, doesn't mean she thinks they are more beautiful than other races. Why automatically assume that? Maybe there is a background story to her creation?
I can't help but feel you reached this conclusion without actually delving very deep into the work of Asian artists. Perhaps the media you consume is not showing you a representative cross-section of what's out there?
My son and I have had conversations about Anime and why the characters appear "Caucasian." We looked it up, seeing as we are both curious. Artistically in the Asian cultures, depending on which country and what format, there is no real difference to the Asian peoples if they *appear* "Caucasian." For example, the Japanese did not see a "White/Caucasian" person in an Anime, they saw a PERSON. Which we both found interesting. Perhaps this same thought process is in action here. While Western society sees "Color", in the artists mind she sees only a PERSON.
Since most, if not all, the original works of art (European Renaissance) are of western faces, it makes sense to use them to fulfill the goal here - Natalia said it well, but John has a point - western looking faces, fashion, movies, culture, etc, have been popular with Asian folks for decades. "Round Eye" surgery to make their faces appear more Caucasian is on the rise (Korean and Chinese people seem to get the surgery more often than others, I've read) and some parents are even having their children's eyes changed, hoping to give them a more "successful" life. I taught ESL in the 80's and the college age kids in my sessions were obsessed with North American everything (jeans, movie-stars, eye-shape - everything).... I agree it is a little sad; there is such beauty in Asian faces and Asian art, and Euro-Americans and Europeans have always thought so, ever since the first white person caught sight of an Asian face.)
If anyone from the West visits China, they will see all kinds of incredible art. I've been to ten cities, as an artist, and saw some Western style figures, but mostly Asian figures in paintings and sculpture, unless depicting brand name arts from the West.
The depth of why each individual artist creates in the style that they do isn't always easy to determine on the surface, but as a graduate of Art School myself, I know that we're taught and exposed to various art movements from all over the world. We studied asian art as well. So most likely, the Renaissance period just inspired her the most .
I lived in China for two years (I am white and blonde), and I did experience all the time how Chinese people act like white (and blonde) is the prettiest type of women. It is very strange! I would aften get asked if I was a celebrity, only because I'm white and blonde!
Asian and Asian mixed females are cherished by many here in the western world. The grass is always greener.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
LOL cause our girls have no boobs or asses.
I bet she can make awesome looking knight statues too!
Load More Replies... This is absolutely wonderful work. But I am still curious as to why oriental artists, almost to a person, seem to use Western(Caucasian) subjects instead of fellow orientals. Its almost as though they have elevated westerners over themselves. Does anyone have any thoughts here?
I don't think, that this artist choose to create a caucasian face because she wanted to elevate westerners over her own race. Many westerners love to paint or are inspired by oriental people too! She may "admire" caucasian figures and she felt inspired to create this sculpures, but to "admire" is way different than to "elevate" one thing over another. Moreover, the text says that she is inspired by Renaissance art, so this may be the specific reason why this sculptures have an european look.
Load More Replies... I find it ironic that you are one of those people that has, in the past, commented 'Why bring up race!' on many a posts yet here we are...Also, as someone who is actually of Asian descent, I can tell you that not all of us have 'Mongoloid' eyes and flat faces. Actually, right now walking the streets of Tokyo you will see many full-Japanese faces that don't look like the Western-imagined stereotype. And yes, I DO happen to have that Psychology degree, too.
First, "Asian" refers to people and "oriental" refers to inanimate objects. Next, some of the subjects appear to be Asian and some appear to be Caucasian. The Renaissance inspiration appears to be linked to the timeframe where "veiled" sculptures were popular. Several artists are known for carving figures out of marble with such skill that they appear to be real figures wearing thin sheets of cloth. "The Veiled Virgin" and "the Veiled Christ" are a couple popular examples of the technique.
Sir , The word Oriental used only on material things such as Rugs, Vase, furniture And for human being it's ASIANS .
well my thoughts are, why do you think these are Caucasian subjects? i see nothing of their profile that looks specifically white or Asian. Body structure, face type and hair style can all go either way there.
It is quite obvious, the faces could not be of more distinctively Caucasian characteristic. And oh, the blond hair.. If inspired by the renaissance, the Caucasian features would make sense. However, if that were her true aim, the bodytypes should be far more curvy. I see a very stereotypical style in every figure, all portraying the same idolized beauty image of OUR time, not the renaissance. And with little to none artistc edge or expression. She is skilled indeed, but at handycraft, not art. Imho.
First of all, the eyes are not Mongoloid, with the eye fold that helps prevent snow blindness. It is generally accepted that Asians(Mongoloids) developed in ice age conditions where light bounced off icy terrain. Secondly, the hair which is wavy and light in color. Asians have straight black hair that is also coarse because the hair's cross section is almost perfectly round for absorbing heat. With Caucasian(Indo-European) the hair is elliptical in cross section, which produces wavy/curly hair. Congoloids(Negroid) and Austroloids(Aboriginals) have flat cross sections which result in tight, kinky, curls. I realize that there is more to this than the Carlton S. C**n definition, but it is easy to explain the phenotypes here.
You actually used the word "oriental" instead of Asian? Jesus on a cracker...
because they have. countries like japan see white European people as the standard of beauty. i live in japan for 10 years and sadly japanese women dont think they are pretty for them white features are what beauty is even when Japanese and shout Korean women are really beautiful.
Ana, you may have a point, perception wise. However, beauty is a universal equation that humans mammals, and even birds recognize. Its called the "Golden Ratio of Beauty". Its also called "The Fibonnaci Sequence", after the Italian mathematician who first noted the sequence of 1 to 1.613. Here's the Google search results of "Beauty and the Golden Ratio": - https://www.google.com/search?q=Beauty+and+the+golden+ratio&rlz=1C1GKLB_enUS702US704&oq=Beauty+and+the+golden+ratio&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.5607j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 . If you are just glancing, "The Math Behind the Beauty" is a great start, but the equation for beauty is scientifically proven and it is something that is very interesting, and well worth knowing about. Japanese should also have the same perception of beauty that other humans have. I think this may also have something to do with paranoia, since they are often neglected and their husbands tend to spend a lot of time socializing without them, with other women.
There's a ton of eastern art that includes Asian figures. Do a little research.
I was wondering the same thing, sir. For international approval?
It could be Gwen. But I also know that Asians, especially those who have retained the Arctic phenotypical traits, are shelling out big dollars to have these characteristics removed. The reason for the eye fold which causes the eyes to look partially closed, and the high arching zygomatic(cheek) bone are from natural selection. By these two conditions, it allows Asians to live better in land with snow and ice, and counter the reflected light from the sun. Having grown up in Alaska I well remember the advantage of squinting eyes and wearing special gear to keep the glare out of the eyes, so this placed Asians at a 'select' advantage in ice age conditions. The Inuit, who live in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia, have these characteristics that are very pronounced. They are also very compact, which is also typical in many Asians, because it keeps the body from 'dumping heat' in a cold climate. Like I said before, this is a thriving industry in Asia, removing these traits.
I'm sorry where did you get that the sculptures are western subjects. To me I see the artist's own face on most of these women.
What European features most east Asians have high check bones like the sculptures and the eyes are slightly slanted, remember not all east Asians have the strong pronounced Mongolid features, just look at the uyghurs in east China and other adjecent populations. But the way your arguing and face these so called discussions ready tells me, this is something that has been on your mind.
Please read my response to "BREAK YOUr perceptions". phenotypically, the statues are all Indo-European. The sculpter has a much more fuller face, mostly due to the high zigomatic arch, which is common with Asians. In fact, there is a thriving business in changing that arch to less prominence, in Asian countries. - Here's a peer reviewed paper that discusses this: "Facial Contouring Surgery for Asians" - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884897/ . And here is a Google search of images to show what I mean: "Images for popular surgery in Asia on zygomatic arch " - https://www.google.com/search?q=popular+surgery+in+Asia+on+zygomatic+arch&client=opera&hs=yJY&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoyeHH2MDWAhUEsVQKHQm1CpkQsAQIJw&biw=1600&bih=771 . This is a Huge industry in Asia.
Ugaas, Its pretty well an established that hominids originally migrated "Out of Africa" in different waves. Probably the earliest we know of are still Homo Erectus who were around as late as 15,000 years ago. But these groups also interbred and mixed their genes. So naturally there will be different groups, even in areas where they are a minority. Oh, one other thing to keep in mind: the Toba eruption of somewhere around 75,000 years ago. There are Pre-Toba and Post-Toba migrations. Also, all this is so complicated that it all may never really be known about which group went where and exactly when. But remember, this was during the last glaciation and ice sheets and glaciers played an important role in channeling group migrations.
After I cringed at you referring to asians as "orientals" I then went back and re-read the part where the art was "inspired by Renaissance and Baroque sculpting techniques" which are heavily european.
We are not rugs. Don't call us orientals. Just because she creates different races, doesn't mean she thinks they are more beautiful than other races. Why automatically assume that? Maybe there is a background story to her creation?
I can't help but feel you reached this conclusion without actually delving very deep into the work of Asian artists. Perhaps the media you consume is not showing you a representative cross-section of what's out there?
My son and I have had conversations about Anime and why the characters appear "Caucasian." We looked it up, seeing as we are both curious. Artistically in the Asian cultures, depending on which country and what format, there is no real difference to the Asian peoples if they *appear* "Caucasian." For example, the Japanese did not see a "White/Caucasian" person in an Anime, they saw a PERSON. Which we both found interesting. Perhaps this same thought process is in action here. While Western society sees "Color", in the artists mind she sees only a PERSON.
Since most, if not all, the original works of art (European Renaissance) are of western faces, it makes sense to use them to fulfill the goal here - Natalia said it well, but John has a point - western looking faces, fashion, movies, culture, etc, have been popular with Asian folks for decades. "Round Eye" surgery to make their faces appear more Caucasian is on the rise (Korean and Chinese people seem to get the surgery more often than others, I've read) and some parents are even having their children's eyes changed, hoping to give them a more "successful" life. I taught ESL in the 80's and the college age kids in my sessions were obsessed with North American everything (jeans, movie-stars, eye-shape - everything).... I agree it is a little sad; there is such beauty in Asian faces and Asian art, and Euro-Americans and Europeans have always thought so, ever since the first white person caught sight of an Asian face.)
If anyone from the West visits China, they will see all kinds of incredible art. I've been to ten cities, as an artist, and saw some Western style figures, but mostly Asian figures in paintings and sculpture, unless depicting brand name arts from the West.
The depth of why each individual artist creates in the style that they do isn't always easy to determine on the surface, but as a graduate of Art School myself, I know that we're taught and exposed to various art movements from all over the world. We studied asian art as well. So most likely, the Renaissance period just inspired her the most .
I lived in China for two years (I am white and blonde), and I did experience all the time how Chinese people act like white (and blonde) is the prettiest type of women. It is very strange! I would aften get asked if I was a celebrity, only because I'm white and blonde!
Asian and Asian mixed females are cherished by many here in the western world. The grass is always greener.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
LOL cause our girls have no boobs or asses.
I bet she can make awesome looking knight statues too!
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