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Works of art in Disney cartoons?
des-oeuvres-dart-dans-les-dessins-animes-disney - ARTACTIF
July 2023 | Reading time: 11 Min | 0 Comment(s)

Disney cartoons are classics seen and re-seen by many generations. And if Disney has built a cartoon empire, it's because viewers are fervent admirers of Disney quality and the magical world the production giant offers the world. But did you know that Walt Disney artists have often alluded to masterpieces in their work? Did you notice the references to works of art and art history that were hidden in them? So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the works of great artists hidden in Disney cartoons.

 

HERCULE :

  •     The statue of Zeus at Olympia

As an adult, Hercules sets off in search of his real parents, and receives the revelation of his origins directly from one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the statue of Zeus, created by Phidias around 435 BC for the temple at Olympia, then destroyed.

 Statue chryséléphantine de Zeus à Olympie

 

  • Saint Peter's Square in Rome

In the scene where Hercules and Amphitryon are going to the market, Hercules accidentally destroys a square. Seen from above, its shape cannot go unnoticed. It is a reproduction of the Piazza San Pietro in Rome, with a difference of a few thousand years.

La place Saint-Pierre vue depuis la basilique Saint-Pierre du Vatican

  • Venus de Milo

In the scene where Hercules and Megara are flirting, he throws a stone into the water of a fountain, striking a Venus identical to the one currently in the Louvre, causing both her arms to fall off.

- Vénus de Milo. Trois quarts © 2011 Musée du Louvre / Thierry Ollivier

PINOCCHIO :

  •  Mona Lisa

In the scene where the Toyland kids are allowed to do anything, you enter what clearly looks like a museum and Candlewick lights his cigar in front of the Mona Lisa, which is about to be vandalised.

- La Joconde - Léonard de Vinci

RAIPONCE :

  •     The starry night

Everyone knows Rapunzel's passion for painting. Forced to remain segregated in her tower, among her many and varied hobbies, the young girl also enjoys painting the walls of the house. Some of her works are clearly inspired by Van Gogh, such as the one reminiscent of "Starry Night".

La Nuit étoilée

Illustrations:
- Chrysaelephantine statue of Zeus at Olympia. Engraving from Le Jupiter olympien ou l'art de la sculpture antique by Quatremère de Quincy
- Saint Peter's Square seen from Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
- Venus de Milo. Three quarters © 2011 Musée du Louvre / Thierry Ollivier
- The Mona Lisa - Leonardo da Vinci
- Starry Night (Cypress and Village) - Vincent van Gogh

 

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