Michelangelos First Painting - Term Paper Example

Michelangelo’s First Painting Torment of Saint Anthony is believed to be the “earliest known painting” of Michelangelo in the age of “12 or 13 years old”. It is dated back to “1487-88,” when Michelangelo had befriended an assistant in “the workshop of Domenico Ghirlandaio in Florence” which did an engraving of Saint Anthony from a “German master called Martin Schongauer” (Gurdian.co.uk). The issue whether it is the master–who spectacularly painted the Sistine Chapels in Vatican–has did the painting or other artists in the workshop is an immense matter of interest among art experts. But circumstances of the time of Michelangelo’s painting had magnified the possibility that indeed the Torment is Michelangelo’s first painting. It is said that during the development of the said painting, the Michelangelo visited fish market “[to accurately] portray fish scales” (Guardian.co.uk). If Torment is indeed Michelangelo’s, then it will be a prized find by the Kimbell Art Museum in America. Over-all Composition of the Work The painting illustrates St. Anthony being surrounded by demons and monsters. The painter has captured very well the right emotion and expression in the composition. He had pictured very well the right color and figure such as the azure sky, grim expression of the tormentors, the worried and pensive face of St Anthony, the calm portion of what appears to be a mountain and the still horizon in the distance. Obviously, the subject is St. Anthony who is purposely placed in the middle. A group of scaled and winged demons which appears to be very hostile is around him. The white-haired St. Anthony looks awfully sad and worried. He seems to be towed in the air, helpless. Visual Elements The use of line, light, shape and space complements the environment and situation very well. The imaginative Michelangelo creatively employed the elements in the depiction of the tormentors’ faces, arms and the extremities. Specifically, he was able to draw the outline of the horizon, the surroundings and the outline of the complicated figures–which could already qualify for a momentous feat at a young age. The use of light is realistic considering that the Renaissance artist has rendered the artwork in the late 1480’s. The shape and space seem very detailed and so picturesque. Indeed, Michelangelo is a visionary artist ahead of his time. Design Principles The over-all theme of Torment justified the design. Although its clutter should have been kept to minimum, it is understood that variety helps the observer comprehend the meaning of the painting. It is not so appealing to visual scale insofar as the use of color–which ranges from the calm blue, torrid brown to striking red–is concerned. It could be presumed that Michelangelo wanted the people to feel discomfort or anxious of one’s faith and religion. In this case, Torment is there to elucidate a concept, rather than doll up imagery for people to appreciate. Interpretation of the Work It is pretty mind boggling for a first year college student to think for an in-depth interpretation for Torment. Perhaps, the message of the painting is that the most pious is the most challenged worshipper, and that challenges that may come his way are life threatening and powerful. More meaning of the work can be derived from the symbols of the monster and of the saint. The monsters symbolize terror or peril; the saint symbolizes the faithful among us. The painting held its strength in iconography. Obviously, Christianity is the central and encompassing theme in the painting. The Aesthetics and the Meaning of the Work The painting is more than beautiful–it is meaningful even. All the elements complement well with the theme. The use of dramatic colors and striking lines made the painting simply meaningful. Just the name of Michelangelo alone bolstered more the love of the unsuspecting viewer. As one looks for more works of the master, as he progressed painting through time, one notices the growing sense and taste towards his pieces. Perhaps its meaning holds true even now. It is very allegorical; it represented its meaning in every affair of the church, of government and of education. Undeniably, there are temptations that abound in the church among its laities and clerics; in the government among its leaders and people; and in the classroom among fellow students. And like St. Anthony, we need to maintain composure and remain unaffected; and we have to strengthen our resolve even more. The aesthetics and the meaning behind the Torment of St. Anthony made me choose the work to expound about. The thought alone that this is the work of Michelangelo at the age of 12 inspired me to learn from it. It has also driven me to explore the life of the Renaissance man Michelangelo. My Museum Visit The museum visit I had was enlightening. It opened up my imagination and senses. It widened my thoughts about the art and life of the past. When I arrived, I was so excited. My friends and I were all smiling and eager to get our pass to get inside. Finally, when I stepped inside, I sensed a feel of enjoyment and mixed emotion of reflection and awe. With the exhibits of relics and artworks I felt that I was transported back during the time of our ancestors. I realized how simple the life was before. When I look at the artworks, all I can say was majestic. There are also other things that I gained interests from like the paintings and the archeological artifacts from the ancient time. Definitely, I’ll be coming back. Work Cited Pikington, Ed.“Texas Museum Acquires Work Believed to be Michelangelos First Painting”. Gurdian.co.uk. Guardian.co, 13 May 2009. Web. 05 May 2011. Read More