English Literature

Love has always been deemed as a universal ideal and concept. Love has always  encompassed and overcame any barrier may it be race, gender, social status or nationality. Because of its universality, it has also became one of the most utilized subjects and concepts in art, literature and in other different forms of self expression. Over the years, a lot of writers and painters have been recognized not just because of their individual mastery on their craft, but also because of how well they utilize and depict the vague and everlasting ideal of love. Two of the many artists who  explored the ideal of love through their crafts are Lord George Gordon Byron and Pierre Auguste Cot. These two artists were born in two different generations, but their mastery in depicting and expressing their thoughts and perceptions on loves were nonetheless of the same magnitude. Lord Byron became renowned for his romanticism, and this was easily observed through the poems he was able to write and publish during his time, one of which is entitled,  She Walks in Beauty. On the other hand, Cot became notable through his paintings that reflected his deepest views and perspectives in life. Both Lord Byron and Cot were followers of romanticism however, aside from this evident similarity, these artists also became known for their remarkable ways of expressing and depicting the concepts of beauty and love. In this light, this discussion shall delve on exploring the artists ways of applying and incorporating the ideal of love and beauty into their works and how these ideals affected the value of their works. This discussion shall also look into influences and impacts of their genres to the development of their theme.

She Walks in Beauty by Lord George Gordon Byron
This poem by Lord Byron is composed of 18 succinct lines in 3 stanzas. The poem was not complicated enough to confuse or to mislead readers to different meanings aside from the ideal that the author was trying to displace. Upon reading the poem, the reader will easily identify the theme which the author was trying to feature. The poem was filled with strong words that direct the readers attention to beauty and grace. The first stanza easily supports this observation
 She walks in beauty, like the night
of cloudless climes and starry skies
And all thats best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies  -She Walks in Beauty, Lines 1-6 (Byron, 1859)

These lines fall well under Lord Byrons romantic personality. As a royalty, Byron had been used to seeing nothing but beautiful people. But what appears interesting in this poem is the fact that it showcases a seemingly real life tale on the authors adoration for a certain beautiful and graceful woman (Asquith, 1934). The lines in the second stanza appeared more specific in terms of describing the woman whom the author apparently adores. Lord Byrons way of describing the woman   with sweet phrases and extremely fair and florid descriptions   appeared like the typical way of a mans wooing. In the succeeding lines, the author specifically made the reader picture how attractive his subject was
 Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens oer face
Where thoughts serenely sweet express  -Lines 8-11 (Byron, 1859)

This poem, like most classic romantic write-ups exposes the natural attraction which is brought by unassailable beauty. As a follower of the romantic tradition, Lord Byron appeared very natural when he focused on the value of beauty when it comes to mens preferences. Love, although implicitly featured, was nonetheless evident in this poem. Towards the latter part of the poem, Lord Byron writes how good a young love feels, and how pure and delicate an innocent affection is.
 And on the cheek, and oer that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent  -Lines 13-18 (Byron, 1859)

In this part of the work is where the ideal of love and romance becomes more evident. As what can be observed from the latter lines of the poem, the kind of love which the author is pertaining to is the young and unadulterated love. The author explicitly expressed how beautifully he sees the object of affection since it is one of the easiest ways on how one can perceive a mans affection or adoration for a woman. This poem is evidently influenced by the authors genre. As what can be observed, this work by Lord Byron, it follows the traditional pattern of classic romantic poetry that has been established during his generation. This entails that indeed, the genre, to which Lord Byron has been inclined, had a considerable influence to his work. Apart from this, it can also be observed that the theme has been consistent throughout the entire poem. It never mentioned anything that will divert the readers attention out of the main ideals, beauty and love. All in all, the poem was also not that complicated and perplexing to understand. The sincerity in Lord Byrons words made his work as clear as how the beauty of his subjects appeared on his bare sight. This poem also seemed to show that Lord Byron must have gone through the same experience as what his work represented.
Le Printemps by Pierre Auguste Cot

The figure shown above is one of Pierre Auguste Cots most remarkable masterpieces which was entitled, Le Printemps or the spring. This masterpiece is currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Cot has become very popular for his realistic and florid depiction of the human form. Most of his works were seen to possess  a strength that magically was mixed with delicate grace  ( Pierre Auguste Cot Biography ). Just like the Lord Byron, Cot was a follower of the romantic tradition hence, it appears understandable that he pays focus and emphasis on the value of beauty as what can be observed from most classical romanticists. In this figure, the subjects were two young lovers who were sharing a swing. Its title sufficiently describes the atmosphere and the ambiance of the scene which appears best in complementing the depiction of the kind of love that blooms so beautifully like the the spring. In this light, the theme appears clear. Just like Lord Byrons work, this masterpiece by Cot also focuses on the ideal of love, and specifically, young love.
All the other elements in this painting contributed in building up this theme. First of all, it is important to mention how great the effect was of the two young characters painted in the scene.  Cots preference of presenting two young people in this picture sends off a message that his perspective on an ideal love must have had something to do with innocence, naivety and purity. This painting easily acquired positive critical reception during Cots generation as a lot of people easily related to the message the painting displaced. Incontestably, the painting is a great representation and symbol of the kind of love which is still free from adulteration, pain, lies and suffering. This kind of love   which most young people usually experience   is that kind which is still full of hope, optimism and faith. It is the kind of emotion which have not yet been exposed from the harsh and painful realities of
life. The artist also explicitly showcased his ability to incorporate really fancy and flamboyant elements and features in his work, such as the very detailed picture of a garden, the virgin-like appearance of the girl, the dramatic effect of the afternoon sunlight on his subjects as well as the classic and baroque clothing of his characters. Through this observation alone, it appears very evident that this work by Cot has been greatly influenced and directed by his inclination towards the romantic tradition. Aside from the undeniable ability of the artist to realistically represent living forms, his ability to present his own perception and ideal of love also appeared commendable. Cot changed the popular notion on love which has associated it to pain and suffering. Through this painting, Cot was able to lighten up and somehow change the theme of love into something more innocent and positive. The application of love as a theme in this work has been very consistent as what the effects of all the other elements showed. For several years, this has been used as a popular visual representation of what love is. Thus, this work by Cot, together with Lord Byrons poem indeed serve as two of the most effective and stirring depictions of what Love is and what its value is in peoples lives.