"Saint Ambrose", painted by Francisco de Goya, represents the Catholic Church's power in Spain during the eighteenth century. The painting is a large and extravagant piece of artwork that, taking three years to produce, must have cost a small fortune. However, this is the purpose of painting. In the eighteenth century, the Catholic Church's presence in the lives of the general Spanish population had begun to falter. To restore interest and broadcast to the country how powerful it still was, it displayed wealth where ever possible. The size suggests that it hung from a high location, possibly a church wall, but its original location is unknown. Goya's work captures the holy nature and powerful essence that the Church exuded at the time. Goya achieved the goal set out for him by his employer, the Catholic Church, in creating a stunning piece of art that was able to display their glory with great magnitude. Goya uses many artistic techniques to draw attention to Saint Ambrose. One of the most prominent is the shading and stark contrasts. Another aspect of the painting that draws focus to Ambrose is the solid black background, leaving nothing in the painting to examine but the saint and his work. To contrast the black background white and gold, two of the brightest available colors, are placed …show more content…
Saint Ambrose was a very influential person in the growth of Christianity, living from AD 340-391. Dressed in white and golden robes, he appears to writing in a golden book. Goya emphasizes the importance of the book, and possibly religious literature such as the bible in general, by placing it in the very center. From the corners of the saint, golden lines create an x-shape and draw the eye of the viewer towards the book. Ambrose appears to be looking upwards, most likely symbolizing his connection to God. He also seems strained, possibly concentrating, as if he even writing down what God is telling
The exterior of the church is very different from the ones we are used to in the sense that the church itself is vividly painted with all types of icons dating back to the mid 1960s. The tradition for this types of paintings is however rather old and in the orthodox creed these paintings are particularly important because they show the saints for whom the church was erected and whose name they usually take.
The Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists uses an interesting technique in its apse, compared to previous Byzantine decorations in apses. It incorporates the technique of fresco painting, where artists painted pigments into the plaster and wood on the walls so the paint would become one with the walls similar to methods used in ancient Greece, compared to exercising mosaics as decorations in apses. The artist mostly employed primary pigments in the Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists to make the figures stand out. A repetition occurs in the pigments with red, gold-like yellow, and blue with the occasional purple and the hair colors vary with tones of brown and grayish white.
The painting The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John the Baptist, 1592 (oil on canvas) was created by Italian painter Sofonisba Anguissola (c.1532-1625). It is currently held at the Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, as a gift from Mrs. Forbes Hawkes and Bridgeman Images. This painting is among the unique pious narrative paintings by Anguissola. “The Holy Family” is the last dated painting by the artist. It was executed when she had just returned to Italy after spending 14 years working for King Philip II at the Spanish court. By this time, she had already married to a Genoese ship captain. Her various visits to court and her personal contacts with great painter at that time largely inspired herself. Through these contacts, she successfully stayed in touch with current developments in art. By closely observing this masterpiece, I argue that the artist perfectly sustain the beauty of counter-reformation arts in her work by use of light and shadow, delicate brushwork and accurate proportions of each subjects.
Whereas Bellini used landscape style for his painting, Castiglione chose do his painting as a portrait, so that there is no doubt when looking at the image that St. Francis is in fact the main subject and focus of the painting. Aligned somewhat in the center of the canvas and taking up a majority of the entire painting is Saint Francis kneeling down on a rock as he grasps tightly and desperately to the crucifix as he looks up into the sky. A golden light in the sky above him creates almost a halo above his head and swept over his face is a look of pain and devotion. Unlike Bellini’s, Castiglione’s painting is neither filled with detail or landscape. Other than the close-up figure of St. Francis there is little else to be seen or focused on. The light that is cast upon the rope tied around the waist of his brown habit leads us to the only other details or objects in the entire scene. These include the green ivy climbing over the rock where he kneels, as well as a skull and open book that lie on the bottom left of the
Saint Ambrose was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. Ambrose was not expected to be a bishop. People just kinda called him out to be one and from what I remember he wasn’t too sure about it. He often gave to the poor because he saw that giving to the poor was needed because according to him he thinks that everybody should get food because it all came from god.
Goya's painting has historical significance, as well as a social message that he wanted to send to generations to come.
John the Baptist is also allowed to stand near the holy mother and child, and an angel is present. Because of this, the viewer contends with a literal story rather than a simple image as in “Madonna Enthroned”. Also in Puligo’s image, where the central figures are larger and better seen, there are religious symbols used. The same might be true in Giotto’s work but the details are harder to distinguish.
In the book, The Proslogion, written by Saint Anselm, we find the Ontological Argument. This argument made by Saint Anselm gives us proofs that he believes helps prove the existence of God. Anselm gives many reasons as to why the simple understanding of God can help prove that God himself exists, as well as mentioning how the idea of God cannot be thought not to exist. Though this argument has been looked at by people such as Guanilo, a monk, whose response to Anselm 's proofs was trying to say that there were flaws, there are more reasons as to why Anselm 's proofs work well with his argument. From the understanding of God existing, and the idea behind greatness Anselm 's argument is one that is strong and can work as a proof when trying
Veronese was a painter fond of the Mannerist style in the High Renaissance era. As he aged, art and religion were important aspects of Veronese's life. He fully embraced the traditions and regulations of his God and was even commissioned because of his talent and devotion to the church. While a teenager, many church officials in his area asked Veronese to paint important works of art in their churches. The Giustiniania family esteemed Veronese so highly that they wanted him to paint inside of their Roman Catholic
Great insights went into the intricate composition of Francisco Goya’s painting The Third of May 1808, his painting utilizes the principles of art and design which displays all six principles: unity and variety; emphasis; balance; rhythm and movement; perspective; and proportion and scale. All six principles could also be identified and critically analyzed within his painting The Third of May 1808 which ultimately resulted in a whole cohesive composition.
St. Francis of Assisi was born in Umbria in the year 1182. He was a child every father hoped for, he was filled with life, a determined and courageous individual. He was gifted with rather good looks, qualities that attracted friends and a gift of leadership. His father was an extremely wealthy merchant in Assisi. But this son, his favourite, was the one who broke Peter Bernardone’s heart. The boy turned on his father, and in a vicious event that eventually resulted into a public scene. St. Francis of Assisi stepped away from his father, his business and left his father in a state of immense emotional suffering.
Dante Alighieri was one of the most renowned writers in world literature. His great masterpieces have influenced the world immensely. He was not only a great writer and poet but he also was a man that overcame great odds to write awe inspiring works of
Saint Augustine (354-430 AD), also known as Augustine of Hippo created an image of himself through his writings and teachings. He was born in Tagaste, a town in North Africa, on November 13, 354 AD. He was born into a middle class family. Patricius, his father, was a pagan, but later converted to Christianity because of his wife, Monica, was a devout Christian. Augustine’s mother, who was devoted to the Roman Catholic church, constantly tried for her son's conversion.
Francis of Assisi was a poor man who astounded and inspired the Church by taking the gospel literally—not in a narrow fundamentalist sense, but by actually following all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit and without a mite of self-importance. Francis was famous for his love of all creation. He called for simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God. He worked to care for the poor. Thousands were drawn to his sincerity, piety, and joy. In all his actions, Francis sought to follow fully and literally the way of life demonstrated by Christ in the Gospels. My report is going to discuss the life and contributions of St. Francis of Assisi.