Seven Corporal Works Of Mercy Analysis

Art has superseded itself time and time over again. The renaissance in the 16th century produced some of the most famous artworks globally known; the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, even the Sistine Chapel ceiling art by Michelangelo. Following this rebirth of art came the Baroque Era. This era took the general form of Renaissance art and made it far more voluminous in drama, even bringing to light some aspects of the Catholic Church. The Baroque Era emphasized contrast between the vivid and the obscure to create a heavily charged emotional scene. Oil paint was the primary media of the time. It would not dry very quickly, and in certain stages of painting it would be considerably easy to add shading due to this property. Having been easily blended

Just at the start of the Baroque era, in 1607, Caravaggio produced an oil painting entitled The Seven Acts of Mercy. All of the figures reflect the Catholic Church. The origin of the seven merciful acts is from the Bible, and are better known as The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy (Boston Catholic). The organization of this piece is incredibly intricate and somewhat unclear at first glance, as there are a dozen different figures on this 390 x 260 cm (153.5 x 102.4 in.) canvas. Space in this work specifically is used to its full extent. The Seven Acts of Mercy depicts all of the works of mercy; nourish the starving (found on the right of the painting), give drink to the thirsty (middle right), laying to rest the dead (right), clothe the naked (lower right), comfort the sick (left), visit the prisoners (left), and shelter the traveler (left). In addition to the seven acts, Carvaggio is said to have later input,” two angels, with Our Lady, and Child,” (Web Gallery of Art). All of the figures are very realistic, and mimic that of a Renaissance style. Texture is a bit more emphasized in the Baroque style, and is very apparent on clothing and on the wings of the angels. Between the eleven figures known, lighting in the painting has been taken to an extreme. Much like a theatre stage, beneath the angels is a severe darkness, while the scene of the angels and Our Lady with Child is lit up. The contrast, as previously explained, is to add drama, but is far more apparent on The Seven Acts of Mercy than other works of the time. Caravaggio’s work is a true display of the seventeenth and eighteenth