Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo Buonarroti

Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo Buonarroti Introduction Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter who lived in the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries. He was born in the year 1881 and died in the year 1973 having been majorly involved in the fields of painting and sculpture. Though born in Spain, Picasso lived most of his life in France. Michelangelo Bounarroti was on the other hand an Italian who was also gifted in the field of painting and sculpture. He was also involved in other arts such as poetry and in the field of engineering. He lived from the year 1475 to the year 1564.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo Buonarroti specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper seeks to discuss the two artists mentioned above. The paper will look into the biographies of these personalities with the view of identifying the similarities and differences that existed between them. Individual biographies are examined after which the similarities and differences are drawn out. Pablo Picasso Pablo was born in the Spanish town of Malaga. His father was called Blasco. Pablo’s interest and exploration in arts can be attributed to his father’s influence as his father was well established in the field of arts. Blasco was actually a professional in the field of arts as he is reported to have been a professor in one of the art schools in Spain. He was also a painter and a curator. It is most likely this paternal influence that drove Picasso into practicing arts. Following this influence, Picasso was enrolled in an art school in the city of Madrid in order to advance his skills. His efforts and desire to study at this level did not however bear fruit and he was forced to cut short his studies before even completing his first year of study. At the age of nineteen, Picasso left Spain for Paris in France where he was to stay with a friend. During this time and under their arrangement, between Picasso and his friend, Picasso d id his painting works at night while his friend worked during the day a situation that made him to burn most of his paintings in order generate heat in the cold nights (Ghare 1). The following half a century of Pablo’s life was majorly dominated with painting with specialization in variety of styles each at a time. Picasso’s social life was not characterized with significant stability as expected in most societies. He had a number of love relationships that rarely worked out for him in terms of marriage. Though his first engagement was realized in the year 1904, Picasso only managed to get into marriage when he was approaching fifty years of age.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More His marriage also failed to work as he was involved in an extra marital affair which together with the different lifestyles that his wife and he lived, led to their separation. Thou gh he further had a number of relationships, he never married again after this until the year 1961 when he married just to avenge on a woman that had left him. He later died in the year 1973 (Ghare 1). Michelangelo Bounarroti Michelangelo was born in the year 1475 as a second born child to Ludovico and Neri. Following her mother’s health condition which was not steady, Michelangelo was placed under special nursing condition. His mother’s attention to him was further cut by her death when he was only six years of age. Though he developed interest in arts at a younger age, his farther did not like the idea which he considered as a peasant’s activity. Michelangelo was then sent by his father to a grammar school following the intellectual level that he noticed in Michelangelo. It is in this school that Michelangelo met a friend who encouraged him venture into arts. At the age of thirteen, he was enlisted to work at a painting workshop before he later went to school to study arts. He then tried to study human anatomy where he used dead bodies before he realized that the dead bodies were inducing negative effects into his life (Michelangelo 1). By the year 1505, Michelangelo had been an established painter who was recognized by high authorities such as the papacy. He was for this reason enlisted in the year 1508 to work on a tomb for the papacy. He worked on many high profile assignments. His services were also enlisted by the government of Florence. He later left Florence for Rome following a level of hostility that he received from the administration and citizens following some misunderstandings. He also ventured in other fields such as architecture and literature. His social life was however full of isolation. He confessed his loneliness when he admitted not to be having friends and that he was spending much time in his paintings to an extent that he did not even have enough time for eating. He later died in isolation with no relative around to take care of him or his property. His nephew, however, arrived after his body had been disposed off and carried the remains together with his belongings to Florence (Michelangelo 1). Similarities between Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo One of the similarities that is realized between the two artists, Michelangelo and Picasso are their characteristic movements from their original residence to foreign lands. Michelangelo is, for example, identified to have moved from Florence to Rome. Following his artistic skills, Michelangelo was invited to stay in Medici where he practiced his painting.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo Buonarroti specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lorenzo, who took him to the palace, however died and the situation changed forcing Michelangelo to return to his father’s house where he stayed before he later moved to Rome where he again practiced his art. Though no clear reason is given for Michelangelo’s first movement to Rome, it is clear that he left his original residence in Florence for Rome where he significantly expressed his artistic talent (Pal 2). Similarly, Picasso left his original country, Spain, and moved to France where he stayed and did his paintings. His movement to France took place in the year 1901. Another similar feature of the two artists is the level of dependence that was exhibited in their lives. In the case of Michelangelo, he was taken in to the palace where he stayed until the death of Lorenzo. After the painful loss of Lorenzo, he resorted to staying with his father for some time before moving to Rome again in the hands of other people. He therefore revealed a level of dependence in his early life though he had been economically empowered through his ability to paint. Pablo Picasso also revealed the level of dependence in his life in Spain and France. When he arrived in France, Pablo moved to stay with a fr iend. The condition in which they were living appeared to be restrictive since the two people were not able to sleep at the same time. Their sleeping in turns, one person during the day while another during the night, is an indication that the facility in the house was limited. Pablo, however, still held on to staying with the friend. He thus failed to independently settle in his own house (Michelangelo 1). Another similarity that existed between the two individuals is their profession that was painting. Pablo is represented to have been a professional painter by the year 1894. Some of his paintings included â€Å"the first communion and portrait of aunt pepa† (Michelangelo 1) which appeared in his earlier paintings in the nineteenth century. His life was dominated with painting as he practiced the art up to almost his time of death. He painted his first major painting at the age of about thirteen years; Pablo was continually in the field of painting till the year 1971 when h is last significant painting was realized before his death in the year 1973.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He thus devoted his life to painting. Michelangelo was also a renowned painter. He can similarly be said to have started his painting career at the age of thirteen when his father gave up on his resistance that he was not fit for painting. He was thus established as a popular painter in Florence and also learnt a lot before he was taken in by Lorenzo. He was also involved in his painting career until almost his time of death. The two artists are also reported to have had poor social lives. Though they lived in different times and localities, their relationships were not strong as their devotion to their profession which took most of their time. Though Pablo is reported to have had engagements and was even married with children, these relationships lacked a strong foundation and all of them. Pablo’s last marriage was also not based on feelings and emotions, but was rather on a revenge mission over another woman who had left him. Michelangelo is also expressed as an individual who never had a life apart from his painting. This is much evidenced after his death when only one of his nephews was available as his closest relative to help in taking care of his funeral arrangements. The history of the painter is very silent on his relations. One of the articles that are beloved to have been written by Michelangelo actually confirmed his social loneliness. He is reported to have confessed that he lacked friends and that he actually did not need such friends. This attitude is by implication given to relatives who seemed never to be close to him until after his death when a nephew came for his remains. His remains being granted to his nephew according to his wish that his body and property be delivered to his closest relative indicated that he never had a wife and thus no children (Ghare 1). Differences between Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo Buonarroti Just as a number of similarities are exhibited in the biographies of the two artists, their histories at the same time reveals a lot of differences. One of the differences in the lives of Picasso and Michelangelo was the manner in which they entered into the art of painting. Pablo’s entry into the art of painting is revealed to have been an influence from his father who was a professor in arts. His father was also a painter and worked in a museum, an exposure that could have played a role in influencing Picasso into arts and painting. Picasso’s parents also took the initiative to establish him as an artist, most likely a painter, as they registered him in an art school so that he could study and develop artistic skills. On the contrary, Michelangelo was drawn into art and painting by personal instincts. His attraction into arts was more of an in born property that could not even be suppressed by his father who did all he could to divert his interest arts. This is majorly because his father despised drawing and arts. Another difference between the two artists was their paternal ho mes, where they worked and the period in which they lived. While Michelangelo was born, lived and worked in Italian towns in the fifteenth and the sixteenth centuries, Picasso was born in Spain in the nineteenth century but later lived and worked in France in the twentieth century. Their level of social relationships also differed in that as Picasso was able to at least engage in relationships that even led to marriages, Michelangelo was never associated in any known relationship (Michelangelo 1). Conclusion Picasso and Michelangelo were both renowned painters. Their lives exhibited a significant level of both similarities and contrasts. They are still remembered for their prowess in the world of art. The level of dedications and talent made it possible for them to make great works of art. Ghare, Madhavi. Pablo Picasso biography. Buzzle, 2011. Web. https://arthearty.com/pablo-picasso-biography Michelangelo. Michelangelo. Michelangelo, n.d. Web. Pal, Loswego. Michelangelo Buonarroti . Pal Loswego, n.d. Web.

Insurance Analysis in Kenya Essays

Insurance Analysis in Kenya Essays Insurance Analysis in Kenya Essay Insurance Analysis in Kenya Essay Introduction Insurance in Kenya is known to have been in existence for over sixty years now with the first insurance companies believed to have been owned by British insurers during the colonial times. The industry is governed by the Insurance Act and regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority. The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) was created by the Insurance (Amendment) Act of 2006 and came into operation on 1st May 2007. The Authority was established with the mandate of regulating, supervising and developing the insurance industry. Before the establishment of IRA, these functions were performed by the Department of Insurance in the Ministry of Finance. (IRA 2010) As per AKI Insurance Industry Report for the year 2009, there were 44 licensed insurance companies, majority offering non-life insurance business only, nine of them life insurance business while fifteen were composite (both life and non life). There were 137 licensed insurance brokers, 21 medical insurance providers (MIP’s) and 3,076 insurance agents. Other licensed players included 106 investigators, 57 motor assessors, 18 loss adjusters, 2 claims settling agents, 5 risk managers and 26 insurance surveyors. The industry’s contribution to the country’s GDP is still low although there has been notable growth for the last seven years. The gross written premium by the industry was Kshs 64. 47 billion compared to Kshs 55. 19 billion in 2008, representing a growth of 16. 8 %. The gross written premium in non-life insurance was Kshs 43. 11 billion (2008: Kshs 36. 89 billion) while that from life insurance business was Kshs 21. 36 billion (2008: Kshs 18. 30). Non-life insurance premium grew by 16. 8 % while life insurance premium and contributions from deposit administration business grew by 16. %. The combined industry profit after taxation increased by 14. 4% to Kshs. 4. 29 billion compared to Kshs 3. 85 billion in 2008. In 2009 the industry paid Kshs. 20 billion for claims for general insurance business and as benefits to life policy holders. (AKI 2009) Penetration of insurance in the year 2009 was 2. 84% compared to 2. 63% in 2008. Life insurance recorded a penetration ratio o f 0. 94% (2008:0. 87%) while that of non-life insurance was 1. 90% (2008:1. 76%). Only half a million Kenyans, about 1% of the total population are said to have take up life insurance. Up to 80% of Kenyans have no insurance cover due to widespread poverty and a false belief that insurance covers are mainly for the rich. However, based on the recent industry statistics, there is an emerging trend that Kenyans are indeed sensitive to the need for protection against an uncertain risky future. According to Swiss Re (World Insurance Report2009), South Africa is the leading African country in the insurance industry, accounting for 90% of the total volume, followed by Morocco then Egypt. Growth in non life insurance business in Africa was sluggish at 0. 4%. The report pointed out that Africa produced only 1. 4% of the global premium volume in 2009. South Africa’s life insurance premium fell by 16%, premium Growth in Morocco remained flat at 0. 1%, while in Egypt premiums shrank by 5%. There are currently five major players in the insurance industry in Kenya. These include The Co-Operative Insurance Company of Kenya Ltd. (CIC), UAP Financial Services Ltd, APA, Jubil ee Insurance and Resolution Health East Africa. Majority of these insurers operate nationally with a few operating regionally. Some international insurers have entered the Kenyan market through mergers with already existing players. Two of the leading companies were formed through a merger between two existing insurance companies, for instance, APA was formed after a merger between Apollo and Pan-Africa General divisions. Others form partnerships with small insurance companies to cover non-traditional policies like political violence. Solutions need to be developed to address new risks. Insurers have finally recognized the growing needs of the Kenyan people. Agricultural insurance is one of the new policies designed for farmers located in the different parts of the country to shield them from financial loss caused by unfavourable weather conditions. The Cover is provided for livestock, specific crops and poultry losses. Payment of premiums is quick and easy for the farmers, premium payments are done through a specially designed mobile application and in the event of a loss, and farmers are paid through the same method. Medical insurance is divided into three segments, one health cover operated by employers, the second individual cover and the third coverage operated by the government targeting low income earners through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Health insurers have raised concern about clients who view cover value as expensive as opposed to the benefits. That’s why insurers are coming up with affordable schemes. Medical e-cards that users top up, similar to prepaid airtime scratch cards, any member of the family can use the e-card as long it has money. Due to poor health infrastructure in the country, rural hospitals have inadequate facilities and are understaffed, thereby making people to travel to major city for treatment; this has also contributed to the rise in health insurance cost. Many insurers have shied away from HIVAIDs insurance because of the risks involved. Travel cover is currently being offered by only two insurers, one of them has partnered with Kenya’s main airline company to provide a package that covers loss of luggage, flight delays, cancellation, medical emergency and personal liability. The premium cost is based on traveller’s destination and length of stay. Claims are made online or when the client returns from their trip. The cover can be acquired when buying a ticket or through travel agents. Higher learning has become very expensive both for local and overseas universities, forcing parents to borrow heavily from banks to pay university fees. Education policy is definitely necessary for most parents who want their kids to get good education. The industry is definitely on the growth stage and most insurers are strengthening their market share by positioning themselves as affordable insurance providers offering new products for the untapped regions such as younger and older people. Industry analysis PESTE Political Economic Social Technological Political Factors The political violence experienced in 2007 resulted in major losses for businesses and individuals mainly because current insurance companies were not offering cover for such risks. The unrest has made insurers quickly come up policies to cover these risks. Motor insurance is reported to have doubled in the last six months; the government through the Insurance Regulatory Board has increased the premiums in a move to counter fraud and fake claims known to have forced over ten motor insurance companies to shutdown due to losses incurred through claims. Economic Factors High tax imposed on life and health insurance has made policies to be expensive and affordable to a small percentage of the population. The insurance industry is pushing for tax deductible premiums paid on life and health insurance to be tax deductible from chargeable income up to 30 percent of the gross income. Income Tax Act Cap 470, Section 19(5) and (6) Poverty and unemployment are still the biggest challenges facing the industry. With no source of income for many youth and women, the last thing that this demographic prioritize is insurance. This makes it very hard for the growth and development of the insurance companies because of the low number of clients which represents the few employed people who in turn can be able to pay for the insurance policies provided by the insurance companies. This situation is further compounded by the rise of HIV and AIDS which adversely affects the working class that forms a critical target group for insurance services. The rising levels of poverty and high cost of living has reduced disposable income hence relegating insurance matters to the back burner. This is as a result of people first meeting their basic needs first before considering other expenses, which include insurance policies. Perhaps the government can relax some of the strict regulations present for private investors to encourage investment both locally and internationally. This may increase the number of the insurance companies in the country allowing more space for competition thus in the long run lowering the costs of insurance policies to the advantage of the consumers. High inflation rates has increased operation costs , raised the cost of living and therefore, made it difficult for the citizens to be able to afford insurance policies due to the current turbulent economic conditions that has led to an increase in policy prices. Fraud / Corruption largely affect the development of the insurance sector in Kenya. It has undermined the economic development of the country by generating considerable distortions and inefficiency. This makes the companies to constantly perform poorly and thus calls for the introduction of anti money laundering which helps to curb the vice. Social Factors In order to boost penetration of insurance in Kenya, vigorous awareness campaigns should be used to educate people on the importance of insurance. Policy covers should be packaged with the end-user in mind, for example selling agricultural insurance cover to non-farmers is useless. Product development should be flexible to allow the ever changing needs of the dynamic insurance industry. oIncrease in lifestyle diseases – oIlliteracy levels spread Insurance knowledge and risk management to clients looking to reduce losses, advice clients how to manage their finances and how they can help minimize risks oInadequate health facilities Cultural values – harambee culture oDemographic changes oNegative perception on insurance, bad publicity fraud, fake claims Technological Factors Mobile phone use has eased the communication between clients and the insurance companies in the sense that if any of the two parties want to contact the other, it becomes very simple. Increase use of the Internet has enabled customers to access information, submit claims and compare policies from different providers. Environment Climatic changes Emergence of informal settlements. Legal Lengthy legislation process. Corruption and fraud. Lack of structured compensation scheme. Porters 5 Competitive Forces Analysis 1. Rivalry among existing players. The insurance industry is becoming highly competitive. The difference between one insurance company and another is usually not that great. As a result, insurance has become more like a commodity an area in which the insurance company with the low cost structure, greater efficiency and better customer service will beat out competitors. Insurance companies also use higher investment returns and a variety of insurance investment products to try to lure in customers. In the long run, were likely to see more consolidation in the insurance industry. Larger companies prefer to take over or merge with other companies rather than spend the money to market and advertise to people. 2. Threat of New Entrants. Mergers and strategic partnerships are on the rise to introduce products with low premium rates. While the industry leaders have already positioned themselves there are still untapped areas such as the youth and the older generation. Government requires all insurers to maintain a solvency margin of about USD 12,476, or 5 percent of assets in excess of liabilities. This might prevent new players from entering the market because of the high margins required 3. . Availability of Substitutes. Since the existing products in the market are similar, consumers will look for an affordable product to suit their needs. Some policies have many substitutes others have few for instance motor insurance is offered by most of the insurer while health is offered by a selected few. Most large insurance companies offer similar suites of services. Wh ether it is auto, home, commercial, health or life insurance, chances are there are competitors that can offer similar services. In some areas of insurance, however, the availability of substitutes is few and far between. Companies focusing on niche areas usually have a competitive advantage, but this advantage depends entirely on the size of the niche and on whether there are any barriers preventing other firms from entering. 5. Bargaining Power of Buyers. Individuals looking for a good cover obviously have a lower bargaining power compared to corporate customers. 6. Power of Suppliers. Foreign investors are starting to have an interest in this industry. Since insurance is still growing, existing experts in the industry tend to hop from one company to another looking for better pay

Ethical architecture Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ethical architecture - Literature review Example Thomas Fisher, a professor in College of Design at USA mentions in his book ‘Architectural Design and Ethics’ that this concept offers a theoretical foundation including suggestions to the students of architecture as well as those related to this field as professionals. The concept of ethical architecture demonstrates ideas that make us rethink all those responsibilities that will further assist in designing more sustainable plans for ourselves. Fisher further clarifies the fact that today’s human being is living in a dynamic world where several exponential curves related growth can be seen like the diversion in global population, the gap between rich and poor, the growing demand of limited resources etc. So, keeping in mind all those realities, Fisher, put forward a hypothesis related to architecture and ethics and further explores that buildings can also do a great deal of work and can give moral and social dimensions. He also demonstrates the ideas through whic h architects can make more appealing buildings and will definitely nurture sustainability in the field of architecture development. Architecture and Ethics While representing the idea of architecture and ethics, Graham Owen depicts that ethics play a great role in architectural schools. Ethics are basically, related with the relations among architects, the clients as well as the society. These relations are formally codified and formulated by the governing organizations. However, it is a fact that, most often, less attention is paid to this corner. Usually it is overlooked how various ethics between architects and society can be generated and altered efficiently. Graham Owen further mentions the idea that ethical concerns in architecture sometimes become more controversial and crucial because of the religious beliefs. He mentions the quote of a famous architect, Elizabeth Schmidt who said that, â€Å"While of course everyone believes in good ethics, the problem with it as a pedagog ical principle is that it smacks of nineteenth- century moralism and therefore of religiously based instruction, I firmly believe in the separation of church and state.† (Owen, 2009. Pp: 3) From the above mentioned concept of Schmidt, it can be judged that to understand and learn ethics in the school of architecture is just to incorporate particular interpretations of ethics. Whereas an alternate approach defines ethics as the language of values and morals. Ethics do not relate with someone’s particular morals. However, later approaches shoe that ethics can better hold up professionalism and advancement in any particular field which might be education and architecture. In urban dwelling, especially schools of designs, designing and building complexities are basically focused along with the ethics of creative and technological progress. Ethical Function of Architecture: In addition to previous concepts, Karsten Harries further mentioned that architecture always performs an ethical function or have moral approach. For example a functional building with beautiful and appealing architecture will obviously render a beautiful impact and image in the mind of observers. So, this will depict the power of beauty as well. A building with rich architecture and ethical consideration will definitely leave long lasting image in the minds of observers. When we talk about the evolution of human being, we can see that human were first emerged as wild beasts with long bears, hair on their bodies, in woods living in cages and live along with fire. Later on time got changed and went on and on. People started changing their life style and became more and more civilized. They started learning various arts and ethics to pass better life. And these arts jointly give rise to ethical considerations and evolution of cities and cultures. Harries further elaborated several examples to clarify that buildings offer functional approach and provide a complete way to life to human as well as animals. Dwellings not only serve but