I took an art history class in undergrad, and while I didn’t enjoy memorizing dates and artist names it was one of my favorite classes. It opened up my eyes to not just the styles of art but also art interpretation. The paintings, architectures and sculptures we learned about had such deep meaning in them, so much symbolism. I would be quick to overlook this had I not taken the time to learn how to understand the messaging and context of many art pieces and eras. Art is quite remarkable when you understand the mediums and context. It really provides a glimpse into history and storytelling.
I was so interested by all I was learning that I can’t part with my thick art history book, and I follow Instagram accounts and have daily apps that educate me about the meaning behind famous paintings and artworks to keep my art history class going today.
During one of my late night classes, the instructor pulled up a slide showing an oil on canvas painting called Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures by Angelica Kauffman, and it was one of a few paintings during the class that made a lasting impact on me. It’s from the Neoclassical era of the late 18th century, an era that held ideals of virtue, morals, and civic duty.
The focal subject in the painting is of a woman named Cornelia, who was the daughter of a Roman leader. This made her high in the power ranks and a person of having great wealth. She had tremendous influence, and the public was always watching her and her family closely.
The painting depicts an event where Cornelia hosts her friend in a visit. Seemingly trying to impress Cornelia or relate to her, her friend pulls out a necklace from her jewelry box and then asks Cornelia to reveal her own jewel treasures. In response, Cornelia points to her three sons instead of running to get her jewelry box. The painting’s message, embodied in Cornelia’s decision, serves as a model of Roman virtue and maternal devotion, values celebrated during this time period.
What a subtle yet powerful statement. I can only imagine how embarrassed the friend must have felt. I’m sure she was at least taken back by such an unexpected response from a wealthy woman of a politically powerful family. —Talk about an awkward moment!
This painting stuck with me because it matches my own core value of not wanting to be influenced by material things. It’s a difficult core value to keep because society heavily communicates brands and things. I slip many times getting sucked into marketing ploys and put physical things above non-tangible values such as family and friendships; but avoiding materialism is a core value I strive to achieve best I can. Minimalism is something I prefer too, and this is also very challenging.
Sometimes I can hardly stand watching commercials and turn off the tv because I can be so attuned to the machine messaging of marketers hyping up the next shiny iPhone that is really no different than the one you have, glorifying the plastic credit card by a company that really doesn’t have your best interests at heart, portraying how adding a car payment lease will make your life feel more rich, or using celebrities to promote a product when they’re really just getting paid to say those lines. These presentations can feel so shallow and empty.
Marketing can easily brainwash us into irrational thinking, and it can frustrate me to see people fall for the deceitful messaging. Doing marketing in my own line of work, I sometimes wrestle with how messaging output can clash with my own core values. Often times, these clashes help solidify my core value stance more.
Despite her power position, Cornelia remained grounded in what was truly important to her, in this case her children and family. And in my life decisions, I also want to stay grounded and be guided by a foundation of what is really important during this one shot at life. Material things do not go with you when you die, and they don’t provide for long-lasting happiness.
I suppose this painting too represents my own family where I imagine my mom pointing to her three children, my two brothers and I. That despite the dramas and challenges life brings at times, I can say with certainty that my mom treasures her three children deeply. I believe she is trying the best she can in being a good mom. If my mom had a decision to choose the most expensive necklace or her three children, she would choose her children, every time.
And shouldn’t this be the choice for all mothers, and fathers or guardian parents? I know no family is perfect, and some are far too complex for such a choice to come easily—But, the world sure would be a better place if we all were a little bit like Cornelia. What if we all had the courage to turn away from materialism and desire for power, and instead, stand our ground for love.
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