Peter Paul Rubens’ masterpiece, Venus and Adonis, is not only a significant artwork of the baroque-period in Europe during the 17th century, but it also tells the mythological story that begins with love, and ends in tragedy. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this painting is admired for representing the unique baroque-style of this era, as well as Rubens’ particular use of the medium and how it reaches those who are viewing it. His attention to detail and crafty use of symbolism within the painting assist viewers in deciphering the story, along with the values of the time period in which Rubens was living. In studying the composition of the work and noting the historical context from which it came, one can ultimately understand Rubens’ point-of-view and thus, connect to the painting in a way he or she has never imagined. This painting, measuring about six-by-seven feet, is a massive work that draws viewers directly to it once they enter the room in which its displayed. It is not covered by any glass and is in a very well-lit area, thus it allows viewers to stand as close as possible to see the details of how Peter Paul Rubens handled his medium. Looking at the painting from a photograph is much different than viewing it up close and in person, because when looking at a photograph, one cannot see the texture of the paint that gives the painting its very delicate, unique, and realistic quality. The work appears to be in very good condition because most of the colors are still very rich and vibrant, such as Adonis’ red garment (Rubens). Although one cannot tell when directly viewing the piece, it has been said that previous use of radiographs for further analysis on the painting uncovered that initially, “Rubens gave A... ... middle of paper ... ...ens used to handle his media. His handling of the oil paint combines both loose and tight techniques, and these techniques are apparent everywhere from the ripples of Adonis’ garment, to soft blended texture of the clouds in the sky (“Europe…”). One final aspect of the baroque-style that Rubens incorporates into his work is his use of dynamics and emphasis on action with his figures. In contrast to many Renaissance works of art, Venus “is actively, rather than passively, seductive,” as she pulls Adonis towards her (Adams 350). Adonis is also captured mid-action as he leans towards Venus, almost as if he is desiring to stay with her. The theatricality in Venus’ face is yet another aspect of the baroque-style, for it places emphasis on the emotions of the characters during their actions and allows viewers to connect to the mood of the story being told through the work.
The painting was so popular, that he made its numerous versions with sightliest differences. The version presented in Metropolitan Museum, descended through the famil...
The painting is organized simply. The background of the painting is painted in an Impressionist style. The blurring of edges, however, starkly contrasts with the sharp and hard contours of the figure in the foreground. The female figure is very sharp and clear compared to the background. The background paint is thick compared to the thin lines used to paint the figures in the foreground. The thick paint adds to the reduction of detail for the background. The colors used to paint the foreground figures are vibrant, as opposed to the whitened colors of the Impressionist background. The painting is mostly comprised of cool colors but there is a range of dark and light colors. The light colors are predominantly in the background and the darker colors are in the foreground. The vivid color of the robe contrasts with the muted colors of the background, resulting in an emphasis of the robe color. This emphasis leads the viewer's gaze to the focal part of the painting: the figures in the foreground. The female and baby in the foreground take up most of the canvas. The background was not painted as the artist saw it, but rather the impression t...
When looking at the painting it gives us a glimpse of the past. It looks almost like a photograph. The fine detail from the building on the right with the statue on top. The citizens walking around.
Comparing the Forgotten God of Love in Robert Bridges’ Poem EPÙÓ and Anne Stevenson’s Poem Eros
The artists of the Baroque had a remarkably different style than artists of the Renaissance due to their different approach to form, space, and composition. This extreme differentiation in style resulted in a very different treatment of narrative. Perhaps this drastic stylistic difference between the Renaissance and Baroque in their treatment of form, space, and composition and how these characteristics effect the narrative of a painting cannot be seen more than in comparing Perugino’s Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter from the Early Renaissance to Caravaggio’s Conversion of St. Paul from the Baroque.Perugino was one of the greatest masters of the Early Renaissance whose style ischaracterized by the Renaissance ideals of purity, simplicity, and exceptional symmetry of composition. His approach to form in Christ Delivering the Keys of the Kingdom to St.Peter was very linear. He outlined all the figures with a black line giving them a sense of stability, permanence, and power in their environment, but restricting the figures’ sense of movement. In fact, the figures seem to not move at all, but rather are merely locked at a specific moment in time by their rigid outline. Perugino’s approach to the figures’themselves is extremely humanistic and classical. He shines light on the figures in a clear, even way, keeping with the rational and uncluttered meaning of the work. His figures are all locked in a contrapposto pose engaging in intellectual conversation with their neighbor, giving a strong sense of classical rationality. The figures are repeated over and over such as this to convey a rational response and to show the viewer clarity. Perugino’s approach to space was also very rational and simple. He organizes space along three simple planes: foreground, middle ground, and background. Christ and Saint Peter occupy the center foreground and solemn choruses of saints and citizens occupy the rest of the foreground. The middle distance is filled with miscellaneous figures, which complement the front group, emphasizing its density and order, by their scattered arrangement. Buildings from the Renaissance and triumphal arches from Roman antiquity occupy the background, reinforcing the overall classical message to the
First, the size of the painting drew me in before all. It measures at 339.1 by 199.5 cm, surrounded by a large golden frame. The size alone is enough to bring in any person passing by. Once getting close, the really wonder happened. The story told by the painting
The first artifact that is pulled out of the Renaissance time capsule is painting called the Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli, painted in 1487. The Birth of Venus was painted using Tempera paint on a canvas that is about 5ft. 9in. by 9.5 ft. This painting shows the birth of the Goddess Venus and three other Gods, and Goodness looking on. Venus is emerging from a pearlescent scallop as an adult (Fiero, 2011). The greater meaning of this painting has been pondered on by many people. During this time, people were rediscovering and studying Ancient Greeks. Their artwork reflected not only Ancient Greeks, but also the artist’s own interpretation of the Greek mythology. This painting also shows how artiest weren’t as focuses on making religious art, but started to base their artwork on other studies such as mythology.
images in this painting, all of which have the power to symbolize to us, the viewer, of the painter’s
Peter Paul Rubens was an extraordinary artist, most of his pieces were made with female body’s. The female body had clothes on, but sometimes they were naked. One of his most famous artworks is Honeysuckle Bower, which symbolizes many different ideas, but mostly it symbolizes love. This informational essay is about an individual that was famous for his works of art. He is from the Renaissance period. For this essay there are four main points; life, career, contributions, and life without Peter Paul Rubens.Firstly, Which leads to the first main point, his life.
Rubens personified one of the most creative, skilled, and successful western artists, and his almost measureless resourcefulness of design enabled him to become a master of the finest studio establishment in Europe. As one French Romantic Artist describes Peter Paul Rubens as one who “carries one beyond the limit scarcely attained by the most eminent painters; he dominates one, he overpowers one, with all his liberty and boldness.”
The Birth of Venus is a beautiful Renaissance canvas masterpiece created by Sandro Botticello. The picture illustrates the birth of Venus in a very mystical way. Venus has emerged from sea on a shell which is being driven to shore by flying wind-gods. She is surrounded by beautiful roses which are painted in a truly remarkable color. As she is about to step to land, one of the Hours hands her a purple cloak. The back drop includes the sea and a forest. The overall effect of this painting are almost overwhelming, color and beauty meet the eye in every angle.
At first glance, Prometheus catches your attention and holds onto it for a minute’s time as his body contrasts the dark background colors. As majority of the canvas is painted in dark colors, certain objects are lit in order to help symbolize their significance. The contrast of Prometheus’s body is the focal point of the painting as it catches your eye off the start where it then wonders to the white and blue drapery he lies on. The importance of the drapery allows you to view the fire that is located in the bottom left corner of the painting. Ruben’s balanced use of contrast allows for the story to come
Clearly, the piece is not in its original form, nor was it even twenty years after completion. However, due to the concern, care, diligence, and expertise of many art lovers, there remains at least a remnant of da Vinci’s masterpiece to be studied and enjoyed by future scholars and visitor.
The recent restoration of the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco by Michelangelo has raised many questions and controversy while creating quite a stir among artists, scholars and critics. The current controversy talks about opposition concerning cleaning of paintings and four decades of debate on the value of scientific restoration. To critics and scholars, a yellow glow, a patina of old varnish, represented a quality that gave a work status. To remove this varnish even with its added layer of soot collected over decades is thought to be defiling the art. One modern opponent of restoration, E.H. Gombrich, opposes cleaning unless it becomes so dark it can no longer be seen and appreciated. In the modern debate, it has been argued that the painters of that time chose their colors taking into account how they would age . They mostly ignored the aesthetic desires of their patrons. The idea is that time mellows and sweetens the work as well. The process of restoring something of this magnitude is a very precise science. There are chemical analysis sessions that are performed by conservators who are trained in chemistry, physics, and a range of other basic sciences. Discolored coatings are removed Layer by layer. The focus is always not to do anything that is irreversible. No matter how thoughtful the criticism is, and because the project is unlikely to be halted when it is half done, undermining the confidence of the conservators is rather unfortunate. This is what some critics are saying about this increasingly heated debate. A visit to this monumental work of art is gaining a new sense of urgency these days , because critics say that a big chunk of the ceiling is being destroyed every day. People are saying that the uncovering...
A great artist, Eugene Delacroix, once said, “What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.” This famous saying, highlights one of the reasons art or even a single painting is so important. Art is more than shapes and colors; art brings about so much more meaning. It expresses life, history, beauty, and morals. It shows beliefs and contributes to the many reasons that make a human being, a human. Art represents past, present, and future. An ancient painting that was made over 500 years ago could have all the meaning in the world. It shows what life was back then, how humans have evolved since, and how humans should evolve in the future. Understanding a future is the understanding the past, which is why Sandro Botticelli’s famous painting the Birth of Venus, is so important to understand.