Cover to be unveiled : how meaning is revealed with sheer veils in paintings by Lucas Cranach The Elder

While scholars have questioned the meaning of Lucas Cranach the Elder’s sheer veils when associated with sensual nude figures, research about sheer veils adorning women in a religious context in his paintings has not yet been developed. Through a primarily iconographical approach, I explore who dons each type of veil, and when, to better understand why the same sheer veil is worn differently by various individuals and what that could mean relative to Cranach’s body of work. These veils exhibit artistic prowess, but analysis of their placement on individual figures also reveals how Cranach’s repeated use of sheer veils in his paintings trains the eye on underlying messages, unlocking meanings of these works for Cranach and his patrons and broader themes present in sixteenth century visual culture. My paper initiates this important discussion about how sheer veils – often overlooked in Cranach’s works – are used in both religious and secular contexts.

On Becoming a Working Visual Artist: Opportunities and Challenges Along the Path

Thousands of students graduate from colleges and art schools every year with the goal of becoming working visual artists. The majority of them, however, find that earning a living as a working artist is a tough and competitive career path. This Capstone Project, through an extensive literature review and interviews, examines the factors and characteristics that influence whether an individual will make the leap to becoming a working visual artist. Research results indicate that primary factors in achieving the status of working visual artists include specific personality traits, experiential and career-oriented arts education, and development of strong business skills.