The Baptism of Christ Vs. Augustus and the Sibyl

Without variety in a work of art the result is monotony. Variety is the principle of using contrasting elements to create a work of art that is different than any previous artworks. Every artist has employed variety throughout their artwork. Whether through contrasting colors or distinguishing between dark and light, variety is an essential part of creating a work of art. Sometimes artists use variety similarly, but to their own preference. This is why even pieces from two distinctive centuries can be similar. This is the case with Antoine Caron's Augustus and the Sibyl and Francesco Albani's The Baptism of Christ.

In art, lines are used to direct the viewer's attention from one part of the piece to another. Both Albani and Caron used this method with many different types of lines. For instance, in Augustus and the Sibyl, Caron uses the outlines of columns and a person's arm that is stretched skyward to lead the viewer's attention to the upper right corner, where they can witness the holy sight. In the same way, The Baptism of Christ shows a man holding a staff to direct the eyes up to the heavenly scene, but the implied lines of the rainfall in the background leans the view back towards the middle of the painting. There are other lines in both pieces, as well. Such as the staircases in Caron's piece and the diagonal lines of the tress in The Baptism of Christ.

Another element of art used to guide the viewer through the artwork is movement. Both Caron and Albani use different scenes with different people who seem to have nothing in common with one another to come together and create a focal point for their paintings. In Augustus and the Sibyl, The people on the top of the stairway towards the left seem to be moving in the direc...

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...o identify any geometric shapes someone would recognize. We see trees, people, and clouds. As a matter of fact, not even the staff the man in the focal point is holding is geometrical in shape, but crooked, as if it had been used for years. It is amazing how both geometric and organic shapes can create something that looks almost as authentic as a picture.

Both artists’ paintings have become successful throughout the years. Through their similar use of line, movement, space, and color, they have created paintings that has been and will be seen by countless viewers. However, it is their contrasting use of value, emphasis, balance, and shape that have made their artwork different from one another, yet beautiful in their own way. It delivers a message to be different instead of going with the flow so that one day you, too, could be as successful as these painters.