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Holy Trinity And Crucifixion Comparison

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ART 202 STEP 2 OF COMPARE-CONTRAST ESSAY: Subject, Interpretation, and Context [Masaccio, Holy Trinity vs. Grunewald, Crucifixion from the Isenheim Altarpiece]
SUBJECT (6 pts.): These paintings seem to have a similar subject. Discuss below any differences in their subjects.
What is the overall subject (focus/theme) of both of these paintings?:
The overall subject of both of these paintings are the crucifixion.
Discuss any differences between them: Masaccio’s fresco the Holy Trinity, is located in a church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence. He used knowledge of Brunelleschi’s one-point linear perspective to give an illusion of three dimensional space. Classical orders for the architecture give the illusion of a stone funerary monument. Christ muscles are shown in a realistic way that his body would look hanging on a cross. His body has been wounded and his loin cloth is clean and white. The Christian doctrine of the trinity is shown as God the Father, a dove to represent the Holy Spirit, and Christ as the son. The Virgin Mary is seen gesturing towards Christ indicating that the path to salvation is through the trinity. John the Evangelist is present with his hands clasps as in prayer. There are two donors that are shown on the edge of the fresco that appear to be looking in toward the crucifixion scene. Masaccio’s use of light and shadow in the robes give the figures a roundness to suggest they take up space. The viewer would be looking up at the barrel-vaulted

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