The Tribute Money by Massacio - Article Example

The featured background is done with the linear perspective of mountains and temple structure that is drawn symmetrically. Renaissance artists, writers, and thinkers are said to have respect for order, symmetry, and proportion.In addition to this are the realistic facial expressions of the figures. For example, the face of St. Peter, in his effort to bend over and take the money away from the fish's mouth, has turned red. On the right side, the tax collector is illustrated with a satisfied expression on his face while St.

Peter hands him over the coin. The actions, gestures, and expressions here are what real people express in given circumstances. Figures are dressed in the Greek fashion, in line with the biblical description of dress code during the first century, with tunics tied at the waist, and cloaks wrapped over their left shoulder, around the back, and clasped at the front.On the other hand, Caravaggio's The Calling of St. Matthew is a Baroque art, as evident by the visual representation of the painting itself, using the exaggerated position of the figures which is a principle of Baroque art.

The intention is to enhance dramatic realism for the traditional pictorial formulas used in depicting saints. Classicism and theatrical delivery also characterize this piece as a form of art. As Baroque art, this piece is liberally painted without symmetrical strictness, unlike the Renaissance's feature. Figures are drawn in muscular yet feminine attributes. However, what is very noticeable in this piece is the dress used by the artist. The story depicts the first-century scene yet the dresses are in their contemporary fashion in the era it was painted.

Obviously far from its supposed time which should be Greek fashion, the dresses are in French version using petticoats, and detailed garments and accessories which are strange to the era depicted.The upper half of the painting also carries features that are patently non-baroque: spatiality and structure. Could this be what some refer to as post-modern baroque That Caravaggio depicted his saints also with the faces of street people makes him a puzzle? People differentiate between cold baroque and hot baroque - new terms that came about regarding paintings that could not be easily read.

Therefore, there is really no telling which exactly is baroque and which not. Familiarity with painters and their works, however, may lead one to typify art according to the painter's main orientation. The painters, however, are not bound to stick to one orientation as they may pick up new interests - as is the case of Caravaggio's The Calling of St. Matthew. It is mainly baroque but has certain features that are a bit renaissance - like space and lined structures.