the image of history?

Question

if you could pick one image that represents the history of mankind, the ancient world, the medieval ages to the present time, what would it be?

for me, what comes to mind is the death of socrates by jacques-louis david cuz socrates death's meaning is still relevant today. the whole voice of reason trampled on by vicious dictators kind of thing..

Answer 1

Ooh, tough one. I'd have to say one of the following (can't decide):

1. The picture/video of "tankman" at the 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising. To me it represents man's courage, folly, distaste for oppression, and determination, all qualities that drive history.

2. The panel depicting Akhenaten with his family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Akhenaten%2C_Nefertiti_and_their_children.jpg) - shows the concepts of love, family, power, the divine all in one.

3. Stonehenge. Shows how we've always been fixated with the night sky, and how long we've been trying to figure out the universe around us.

Answer 2

Whichever man it was in Ancient Chinese Song Dynasty letting off his first succesful test with Gun Powder (called a 'fire lance')

It shows man making it's great inroads that define it as superior intelligence to other animals, it shows man doing great things (giving massive advantages in battle to save ones province) and continually striving to better oneself.

However, it also shows the darker side. Dunpowder is responsible for more deaths than anything else, even plagues, and it's use has cause as much if not more suffering than it has ever caused happiness.

Mankind driving to success, and stepping on others' toes to get there. I think that is our history in a nutshell.

Answer 3

Yes, I think socrates's death speaks of history in a round, but
I would have to say the fresco of adam and god, by michelangelo, man has been trying to find god since the begining of time, and that has alot of relevance in our history.

Answer 4

Preserved in stone - - - 'The Rape of the Sabine Women' - - - and in various works of art - - - - the exploit of women is a historical touchstone - - -

Pax--------------------------------