Photographic Influence on Degas Work :: Art

Photographic Influence on Degas WorkWhat, if any impact did photography play in the role of arts evolution, in particular, what impact did photography have in the whole shebang of the impressionist painters. Two obviously conflicting opinions arise with texts by Aaron Scharf and Kirk Vanerdoe. Scharf argues that the impact of snapshot photography and the invention and wide distribution of portable cameras had a signifi give noticet influence on the works of the painter Degas. Vanerdoe takes the opportunity to question what makes an influence significant, and tends to charm the creation of Impressionism stem from earlier art movements. Then comes the question, what, if any arguments are valid, what arguments are opinions and what can be sieved down to fact. The truth of it all is that many of these opinions that are displayed can neither be proved nor disproved, and therefore any analysis mustiness be taken with a grain of salt. However it appears as though Vanerdoe has taken the less hospitable route, resulting at times to personal attacks, as well as blanket statements of which may not answer a question raised by Scharf, but rather simply a personal attack. It is in these statements we see a very passionate Vanerdoe, but also lose faith in his ability to keep together a reas unityd and structured argument. Vanerdoes beginning argument for example, this line of thinking however is inaccurate and misleading the basis for his essay, and way of thinking to come. It is from this we see Vanerdoe try and reason that, photographical influence isnt substantial enough, yet no attempt at defining substantial has been made, that therefore leads me to conclude that, substantiality in the case of Vanerdoes essay must continue as a buzz-word. I would asses the word substantial as the dictionary does Considerable in importance and therefore Vanerdoe considers that the photographic influence is not considerable in importance. What levels of significance then does photogra phy play in the role of art work of Impressionism and in particular Degas?So one would then at this point, try and define, to ones self exactly what constitutes a substantial impact. I would put forward that a substantial impact would be one, which remnants are visible through the completed work. Substantiality would then be based on whether or not the aesthetic or meaning of the photograph keep mum influences. Therefore I decree that substantiality can be undervalued, but not overvalued. That would send me in the direction of Scharfs argument.