Niccolo di Pietro Gerini’s Scourging of the Four Crowned Martyrs (1385-90) depicts a scene in which four martyrs are pursued by a group of men with some scourging tool (which resembles a modern-day rake). A late Gothic painting in which Gerini depicts a Catholic story of the Four Crowned Martyrs, the Scourging incorporates much of the static, stiff forms which are characteristic of the period’s prevailing style. In the painting, one can notice clear divisions of space, distinct separations of forms within that space, and emphases on the men doing the scourging within that space as a function of where the light is directed in the painting. An analysis of these three key elements of the painting suggests a cohesive assertion about the way the painting’s subjects are depicted within the image. Initially it seems apparent that the four martyrs are depicted in a negative manner with the scourging men taking precedence. However, an analysis beyond the obvious elements – particularly the figure suspended in the air and the devilish figures attacking the scourging men – suggest that the four martyrs are actually being depicted in a more positive light. A brief discussion of the subject matter of the painting serves as an important starting point. The most obvious subjects, as suggested by the title of the piece, are the four crowned martyrs. Located on the far right side of the painting to the viewer are the four crowned martyrs being pursued by the men in front of them (to our
An inextricable quality of ceiling frescoes is their consumption di sotto in sù (translated from Italian to “from below, upward”). That is to say, the viewer must direct their gaze skyward in order to view such frescoes. In the case of Gaulli’s Triumph of the Name of Jesus, the viewer’s gaze is drawn first to this aureate burst—a rapturous burst of light around which floats a ring of what appear to be cherubs. The burst of light casts a spire that points toward the upper bound of the fresco’s ornate cornice upon which lies a cascading banner flanked by sculpted angels and shells. Once pointed by the spire to this upper bound, the viewer may then notice the intricate floral patterns that adorn the cornice, patterns which are not repeated elsewhere in the text. Following the outline of the cornice due counterclockwise, the viewer is led to a disruption of the cornice’s outline by a set of figures on a swirling cloud whose trajectory extends beyond the elliptical
Fourth, as interpreted by Ray (2006), the shape and posture of the bodies express protest while the flaming buildings and crumbled walls reflect destructive power of civil war. The newspaper background is the means by how the painted knew the massacre. Both Berger (1980) and Chipp (1988) cited by Ray (2006), believe that the broken sword in the painting mean defeats of the people.
Therefore, this introduction and analysis of fifteenth-century Italian painting arises from looking at social relations. Through the institutional authorization, Baxandall examines the integration of social, cultural and visual evaluations. The author explores visual art not only from a social construction, but also looks at the major role it plays in social orders such as interactions between individuals or between larger social groups.
It was during the Middle Ages (300-1000 AD), that various distinctive forms of art began to emerge in western Europe. A variety of significant mosaics, buildings and other forms of art came from this time that continue to be analyzed in the present. In the book Early Medieval Art, Lawrence Nees successfully provides an intricate interpretation of these various art forms that developed in this time in history while allowing the reader to conceptualize the emerging cultures of the first millennium in Europe. Nees is able to do this by outlining key aspects of the studied works of art that symbolize how life was at this point in history. At the beginning of his book, it is apparent that Nees seeks to provide a less traditional view on art at this time when he states, “I offer a different story of early medieval art in place of the more traditional tale of the decline of Rome and triumph of Christianity”. Nees’ thesis is subsequently inexplicitly stated to analyze the role of tradition in early medieval western art and its transformation as time progressed. By following a non-conventional thesis when writing this book, Nees is able to contribute a new perspective into the overall topic of medieval art.
The symbolism behind the parable ‘if the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into the ditch’ is applied to the bickering faiths. The message could entail that the ‘blind’ have no understanding of the true faith, symbolized by the sightless entourage being led away from the church. It could be thought that Catholicism was held as the truth, and the religious freedom imminent due to the Edict of Torda would draw people away from that faith. This idea can be expanded to fit the whole mankind, and their focus on worldly matters drawing them away from Christ. The positioning of the figures leads the eye, who naturally starts on the left side, through the progression of figures to the one who has fallen. The church divides the painting in the middle, allowing conclusions to be made by the viewer, even without a significant prior knowledge. Morimura’s confiscation and adaptation of this idea changes the thesis for his work. The men are now literally blinded by worldly and consumeristic items, each representing a difference aspect of society. The wealthy are drowned in money and consumeristic desires, governmental strife and war is implied by the soldier, the increasing brutality and evolution of the modern art world by the artist figure, and the ignorant and naive youth of today, being led by their adult counterparts to ruin, is
The purpose of this assignment is to present a brief yet comprehensive formal analysis of the work in question, namely, Joos van Cleve’s Lucretia. The painting was completed ca. 1525 by the Flemish artist most likely in Antwerp, where he was highly active from about 1511 until his death in 1540. The painting is oil on panel (75.9 x 60.6 cm) and is exemplary of the early Baroque period. The work depicts at the broadest level the suicide of the early Roman historical figure, Lucretia, following her rape c. 510 BC by Sextus Tarquinius, son of the last Roman king. The incident bears historical significance as it marks rising popular dissatisfaction of the Roman people with the monarchy, and the transition from the Roman Kingdom to the Roman Republic,
This paper will compare the themes found in the paintings "Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist and an Angel" by Domenico di Bartolomeo Ubaldini (Puligo) and "Madonna Enthroned" by Giotto. Both paintings deal with fables from the Christian faith but were executed during different periods in art. The Giotto painting was created around 1310 and the Puglio painting was executed between 1518 1520. Here, these two paintings have similar themes both at the extreme beginnings and endings of the Italian Renaissance, and as such they serve to present an exceptional example of the developments in art that occurred within that time. This paper shall compare
Upon walking into Gallery 250 of Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, one will find on the wall a particularly eye-catching piece of art. The piece, set high on the corner of the wall encompassed by pictures depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, is Giulio Cesare Procaccini's The Scourging of Christ. In this piece, Procaccini's masterful use of light and shadows in a technique called chiaroscuro dramatically portray the torturing of Christ, and it is this very application of chiaroscuro that immediately caught my eye. Through his masterful rendition of value, Procaccini successfully evoked within me a crushing sensation of agony. While I did not initially realize that the piece was one of Christ, research enabled me to witness how
As I first examined this work, I could not focus on just one portion of it. Although each part tells its story, there it one overall explanation. As usual, I am drawn to the center of this piece which would be a man sitting in an oval like throne. With a closer look, I look at this man and see a cross behind him, with angelic figures in the background. I conclude this important
In terms of subject matter, both works are visual depictions of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In each painting, Christ is the central figure, surrounded by two groups of figures. On the left, a group of women that includes the Virgin Mary mourns over the dead body of Christ, while on the right is a group of soldiers and other lamenters. Both works feature a rocky landscape on which the figures are positioned. Encircling Christ are several angels whose gestures of lamentation echo those of the figures below. Highlighting the severity of each scene is the blood that pours from Jesus' wounds. The blood from his feet drips onto human bones that are embedded in the rocky terrain below. The skull serves as a "memento mori," or a reminder of death, an idea that has been repeated in several other depictions of Christ's crucifixion.
The art under analysis is the Supper at Emmaus by Merisi Da Caravaggio. The painting is one of the many Christian arts painted by Caravaggio during the Baroque art period. Due to the significance of the every aspect of the painting, the paper is structured in a way that every part deals with one aspect of the painting. The first part deals with the historical significance and the interpretation of the painting. In the same part, the religious significance of the paintings is explored. The second part involves the interpretation of the different techniques used by the artist and their significance in the painting the Supper at Emmaus. The paper also gives insight into the artist earlier life and the different factors that influenced his paintings
The following piece although very similar in theme, is created by Giotto di bondone whom was taught by Cimabue himself. Although comparable to Cimabue’s, it also displays many artistic differences with gothic influence. It uniquely displays a greater spatial consistency and sculptural solidity; this particular painting seemingly depicts the seeking of light theme so common in the gothic period. Praised for the lifelike figure with three-dimensional forms, it seemingly begins to rid of the Byzantine influences.
The great thing about art, is that there are multiple portrayals of one idea but, the artist’s own personal style allows one to feel something that another may not. Early Renaissance painters, Giotto di Bondone and Duccio di Buoninsegna established their own unique style to depict a biblical scene known as, The Betrayal of Christ. Through a close analysis of each artist’s representation of, The Betrayal of Christ, one is able to compare and contrast the artists own understanding of the scene through their attention to detail, character, and space throughout the painting. When examining these two works, one will have a stronger emotional response towards Giotto’s interpretation rather Duccio’s, due to his methods of handling organization, figures, and space.
This paper will compare the themes found in the paintings “Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist and an Angel” by Domenico di Bartolomeo Ubaldini (Puligo) and “Madonna Enthroned” by Giotto. Both paintings deal with fables from the Christian faith but were executed during different periods in art. The Giotto painting was created around 1310 and the Puglio painting was executed between 1518 – 1520. Here, these two paintings have similar themes both at the extreme beginnings and endings of the Italian Renaissance, and as such they serve to present an exceptional example of the developments in art that occurred within that time. This paper shall compare
This painting is divided into three equal parts by the arches in the background and the characters correspond to each of these arches (TV12). The father is in the middle portion of the painting. The lines of perspective created by the tiled floor, draws our attention to the swords that the father is holding and the vanishing point lies just behind the handles of the sword. Our angle of vision is such that we are looking directly at the main figures groups, particularly the father. A single light source from the left of the picture illuminates the characters and also focuses our attention to the father holding the sword. This creates a ‘theatrical’ effect. The background is simple and stark so our attention is focussed on the figure groups in the painting. The painting has a wide tonal range that makes the composition logical and balanced. The colours used in this