Blog #3 -- Propaganda

Louis XIV realized that he could use art to influence people internationally through propaganda. This painting by Rigaud is a perfect example of how art is used to influence people in a specific way. Louis XIV by Rigaud (1701) shows the monarch in elegant clothing while showing off his favorite feature, his legs. His gaze to the viewer makes him seem human even though he has such high status. This painting portrays Louis XIV in a light where he is a rich and powerful leader but also tangible to his people.



Similarly, in our newest election, the media used propaganda to portray Obama in a positive way to influence more votes. These posters were seen almost anywhere, shirts, buttons, etc. Obama's face is serious and concentrated while underneath his face is the common slogan associated with his campaign: CHANGE. By creating these posters, Obama and his supporters were portraying that Obama is very serious about his promise to bring change to the United States and that he is working for the American citizen. Like Louis XIV, creators of this poster wanted to use art to influence people in a positive way.



Unlike Louis XIV's idea of propanda, current art is often used to influence people negatively against a person or event. For example, there is a lot of negative propaganda regarding our former president, George W. Bush. The cartoon on the left is a perfect example. The artist is depicting George Lucas telling reporters that his character Darth Vader, who was an evil ruler and destroyed almost everything while trying to take over, is a metaphor for George W. Bush. He is even going so far as to say that this is obvious even without the shirt.

Propaganda is very prevalent in our current society. Artists often use there art to portray messages and influence the viewer in some way.