Pietro Paolini's Bacchic Concert (1625-1630)

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In Pietro Paolini's painting, Bacchic Concert (Paolini, 1625-1630), at first glance, we are made to feel near or up close to the musicians by the near life-size likeness of the two larger musicians highlighted in the foreground, namely the flute and guitar player. Even though less of the bodies of the background musicians are visually seen, they are relatively in proportion to the flute and guitar player in the foreground. This adds to the feeling of nearness. Our attention is drawn down by the diagonal light ray coming down from the top center of the painting to first the young girl in the green dress and the rest of the musicians. Our gaze is further directed to these same musicians by the flute played by the shirtless angel-like man. …show more content…

86), depth or space is illustrated or implied by the size and position of the flute and guitar player being the larger of all the musicians in the foreground and the smaller musicians behind them. Depth is further depicted by the guitar player's right leg in between the flute player's left leg. The line in the neck of the smaller guitar and the implied receding lines of the guitar's body depict linear perspective and add depth. Paolini creates value by using the artistic technique chiaroscuro or Italian for ‘light-dark’ on the flute player per DeWitte (2015, p. 84). The flutist back is highlighted in bright light coming from over his right shoulder. His front side or chest is bathed in shadow. The black background contrast with the predominate colors of blue and red gives these colors intensity. The red and green are complementary colors that give the painting visual appeal. The green juxtapose above the blue and red gives the artwork color balance as well as implies a triangular shape. The triangular shape and pattern is repeated throughout the painting by; the bend of the flute player's elbow, the head and shoulders of the guitar player, the head and shoulders of the lady whose back is to the viewer, the body of the guitars and the location of the three right-most musicians

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