Transitioning from the Gothic Era of Art in Paintings - Essay Example

Transitioning from the Gothic Era of Art in Paintings The style that is used in the different paintings of the works of art from the Metropolitan Museum show a break in the Gothic Style popular during the 15th century. Instead, the artwork that is presented creates a break in the style and defines an early modern style that is newer to the culture. The line, shape, color, texture, space and composition work together to show a different set of concepts with the work of art outside of the traditional Gothic style. This can be seen not only because of the techniques that are used in each of the paintings, but also because of the newer styles that were emerging from France and the Renaissance era. Each of the pieces shows a specific movement toward this new era, while providing different aspects outside of the Gothic style with the pieces. The first way in which the pieces move outside of the Gothic style and into the Renaissance is the canvas that is used within each piece. For instance, “L’Annonciation” and “The Unicorn Tapestries” both use several different frames to depict a specific setting and story. While some of this is more Gothic in nature, it was a known attribute of the Renaissance era to combine the several panels and to create a movement through these several frameworks to create a different ideal. The space, according to the Gothic ideal is one that represented “freedom, movement and sense of relationship” (Stockstad, 537). Instead of a sense of complete freedom within each of these canvas,’ there is a defined frame that each carries to tell a story and to create a specific definition. The canvas that is used within each then moves into the specific attributes and characteristics that each carries. This can first be seen with the ornamentation that is a part of the Gothic era and the Renaissance period. In the Gothic style, ornamentation was one of the central aspects to the different paintings, sculptures and architecture in the art work. This was defined as elegant in nature and was refined. The use of geometrical spacing to create the ornamentation was one of the central aspects of the Gothic era. However, the Renaissance began to rebel against this and to create more defined paintings, without the use of as much ornamentation or architecture in the background. Each of the pieces that are seen has more of the Renaissance style then the Gothic approach to the ornamentation used. The picture, “L Annonciation” is one that shows this concept. While there is ornamentation in some of the background items and architecture in the background, this is limited and restrained instead of having a sense of freedom. For instance, the first frame shows a priest and nun to the side as the central piece. The side door shows some ornamentation; however this is secondary and is not free, like the Gothic era. The main panel shows this same concept. There is little to no ornamentation used with each of the pieces of architecture used to frame the angel and the woman reading the Bible in the center of the canvas. Showing this limited type of ornamentation in this piece is one that begins to work toward the style of the Renaissance, instead of the Gothic style. “The Unicorn Tapestries” also show the defined and controlled aspects of the different pictures. Instead of ornamentation, each of the frames focuses on the background of the different pieces. For instance, the first frame shows The Hunt. Instead of ornamentation, the men are seen with their dogs as the central figures. The background shows a consistent set of shapes and colors that represent the natural setting in which the men are in, instead of using ornamentation. The main and central portraits, such as the unicorn, in the rest of the frames, do not have any ornamentation. Instead, they contrast against the natural and wild background of colors. Instead of using ornamentation, the painter uses color and a natural setting to show the main picture and to emphasize the theme. This is closer to the Renaissance style than the Gothic ornamentation used. The third piece that shows this same concept is the “Quatrefoil Panel with Arms and Secular Scenes.” The four scenes that are shown on all sides show one portrait of a knight and a specific action that is being taken. In these smaller portraits, there is not the ability to use the space for ornamentation. The oval shapes that surround this and which shows the coat of arms do not have ornamentation and instead consists of a single glass that is silver stained as a framework. The Gothic style would have had more ornamentation in this particular piece, instead of the basic shape. Surrounding this is glass that has angular lines moving in the circle. Similar to the oval shapes, this has a limited amount of ornamentation. Instead, it is used as a smaller accent that shows form and structure instead of the freer technique of ornamentation from the Gothic period. Another aspect considered with each of these pieces is based on the colors that are used in the paintings. The Gothic time period was known for its bright and vivid colors that contrasted and created a sense of tension in the paintings. The Renaissance began to change this by a blending of shades and colors to bring out the main point. This was combined with the textures used in each time frame. The Gothic time period was known to have textures that stood out and which were not as layered. The Renaissance moved into styles that had deeper textures and shading to show the specific approach to the painting. Each of the paintings are seen as moving away from the shading and the color of the Gothic period to represent a newer sense of painting. In “L’Annonciation,” the use of color and texture is similar to that of the Renaissance. The background colors in each of the frames are a light brown and tan. This is used to accent the different portraits and the movement of the painting from one frame to another. Having this consistency then connects all three of the panels together. The different portraits in each of the frames also represent the changes in color from this time. For instance, the first panel accents the movement of the preacher and nun moving into a confession area. Instead of showing brighter colors, they are brought as the main focus because of the dark black used. The woman behind the preacher also has a dark maroon to further accent this movement. The only lighter colors in all three frames are the central portrait of the woman’s dress, which is a lighter red. This is combined with the golden wings of the angel. These two central figures have shading that brings out the action of reading the scriptures and the support that is from the angel. Showing this in the center, with the only brighter colors and deeper texture then shows a movement outside of the brighter colors of the Gothic to show a subtle representation of secular ideas. “The Unicorn Tapestries” also move into the different shading and colors used in the Renaissance era, as opposed to the Gothic period. The main figure in each of the panels is the men or the unicorn. This is always depicted in a white shading to bring out the shape and the plot that is occurring. The men that are in each figure have some brighter colors with the uniforms worn. While these are red and yellow, the texture is not as bright as most Gothic representations. The painter is beginning to move outside of this, specifically to show the unicorn as the main theme in each of the frames. The background colors, while showing a side of nature, use a deeper texture, specifically by using darker greens and browns that are more layered. The Gothic style would not have used these specific layers and would have had a set green or brown color instead of adding in these several layers of the background. The use of color and the layers of the background then work into a newer style and outside of the Gothic concept of shading and color. The “Quatrefoil Panel” also shows this same concept with color and shading. The main coat of arms is seen with a dark black and red with a yellow in the background. The colors in each of the panels are silver, black and blue with a red and black backing. While this is a stain glassed piece, it shows a darker set of shades and textures with the background and main coat of arms. The only brighter colors used is in the main coat of arms in the center of the piece; however, this is also secondary. The Gothic era would have brighter colors with the stain glass as well as several smaller pieces that worked together to provide the main shape of the coat of arms. The shades and the texture in this are darker and follow a form with the coloring that begins to move into the Renaissance era. Each of the paintings then adds into the shapes that are a part of the pictures. In the Gothic era, there was a focus on several geometrical forms to depict different scenes. These worked together to create a specific setting and to show the main concept of each painting. In “L’Annonciation,” it can be seen that the geometrical shape is beginning to move outside of the main composition. The background architecture keeps some geometrical identity; however, the main portraits focus on a shape that is more realistic in nature and which shows a different side to the painting. “The Unicorn Tapestries” uses this same difference in shape. Instead of geometrical concepts, the portrait of the unicorn and the men take a form that is more realistic and which is defined by the concept of portraying a realistic scene. The “Quatrefoil Panel,” while having the geometric shape in each of the scenes, does not use the geometrical idea as the main concept. Instead, each of the scenes in the internal area of the coat of arms is accented by a realistic depiction of the knights and actions taken. The geometry then becomes secondary to the portraits used. The different concepts that are used in the three paintings show a significant change from the idea of the Gothic and into the Renaissance era. The main composition and focus of the painting uses different set of techniques to show the main concept. This includes an alteration in the shape, color, texture, ornamentation and the canvas used. While each of these have some Gothic representation, most of the characteristics move outside of this main artistic movement and into the new techniques of the Renaissance. Works Cited 1. Anonymous. The Unicorn Tapestries. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1495. 2. Anonymous. Quatrefoil Panel with Arms and Secular Scenes. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1490. 3. Campin, Robert. L’Annonciation. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1425. 4. Stockstad, Marilyn. Art History. (3rd Ed). Prentice Hall: Kansas, 2004. Read More