Art DEC13 - Essay Example

Art DEC13

Similarities and differences between the how artists create the illusion of depth

The two works being contrasted were both made in the mid-fifteenth century. The first one is Annunciation by Fra Angelico that was painted between 1440 and 1445 while the second painting is Merode Altarpiece by Robert Campin which was completed between 1425 and 1430. Though each painting contains characteristics of fifteenth-century paintings, they have similarities as well as many differences regarding illusion of depth. Since both paintings reveal not only a spiritual event but a similar event of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, they utilized byzantine perspective to create space and depth. However, this style was not perfected in both paintings. Both paintings used the Byzantine form of perspective to let the viewer know the Kingdom of God and additionally bring the viewer into a relationship with God. The use of this form of perspective was enhanced by the use of linear perspective in both paintings. Both paintings were constructed with significant geometric precision. In the Fra Angelico Annunciation, the architectural details used to create linear perspective with the vanishing point being located at the small window. Similarly, Campin utilized linear perspective to lend the figures their peaceful sense of presence with the vanishing point at the window also. Both artists did not employ foreshortening to depict closer images larger, and the paintings reveal distances which are parallel. Additionally, the creation of depth in both paintings makes the viewer be in the same space as the paintings. One of the key differences between the paintings is the use of atmospheric perspective. While Campin Annunciation utilized atmospheric perspective as shown by the horizon at the window, Fra did not utilize atmospheric perspective. Moreover, Fra employed overlapping to depict the trees behind the fence although Campin did not employ overlapping in the painting. Overlapping enabled the viewer to see the position of the trees in Fra’s painting as behind the fence.

Similarities and differences between the how the artists use color

There are similarities as well as differences in the use of color by the paintings. In Charing Cross Bridge and River in the Catskills paintings, the color was utilized to develop specific atmosphere, space, and shadow. In Cole’s River in the Catskills, and in Monet’s Charing Cross Bridge, the use of primary colors was also evident. Cole utilized red color to paint the shirt of the individual staring at the train and yellow colors to paint the reflections of the atmosphere. These contrasting colors revealed the calm atmosphere depicted in the painting. Additionally, Cole used bright yellows to reveal that it was daytime rather than night time. The use of primary colors such as yellow and blue in Monet is employed to reveal the fog that is evident in the painting. Dull yellow painting of the ground was to show the effects of snowfall on the ground. Similarly, both artists utilized the primary colors to reveal the harmonious environment that was depicted in the paintings. Secondary colors such as greens were both used to reveal the landscape of the paintings. In Cole revealed the green environment with lakes while in Monet, secondary colors were used to reveal the landscape that a bridge cut across. Further, Monet employed minimal open palette as opposed to the restricted palette that Cole employed. Complimentary colors were used by Cole to reveal the peaceful atmosphere as opposed to the fogged atmosphere in Charing Cross Bridge. The use of dominant colors such as green by the Cole also shaped the landscape and brought the picture of the beautiful scenery although Monet did not utilize the dominant colors. Hence, both artists utilized the various colors to reveal the shape and emotion of the paintings.

Similarities and differences between how the artists use light

Both Caravaggio and Vermeer employed different lighting techniques in their paintings although there are notable consistencies. The use of the light in by the artists was on a higher level compared to other paintings. Both artists employed light to develop realism in their paintings which is shown through three-dimensional viewing created by the use of light. Hence, realism was depicted through the artistic use of light and shadows. Moreover, both artists employed chiaroscuro to further develop the three-dimensional volume of the paintings. In Vermeer's Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, the direct light was greatly utilized as opposed to Caravaggio's Calling of St. Matthew. Vermeer priority of the painting was to show the direct light source that assists the viewer in identifying the woman as the primary figure as well as the focus of the painting. The light in Vermeer’s painting created a triangular composition between the core elements of the art which included the window, the pitcher as well as the map. On the other hand, Caravaggio use of tenebrism is evident in the painting with diffused light that comes in although the majority of the painting is entirely black. Another difference of the painting is the direction of light. In Vermeer's painting, the direction of light is from left to right while in Caravaggio the direction is from right to left. In the Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, the light comes from the window to light up the room, and the direction is shown through the women opening of the window. On the contrary, in the Calling of St. Matthew, the light comes from the door where Jesus wanted to exit with as he points out Matthew among the other tax collectors.

The use of contrapposto

In the use of the contrapposto technique, Manship’s Dancer with the Gazelles and Rodin’s Walking Man depicted several similarities and differences. One of the evident similarities of their contrapposto is that both paintings are non-symmetrical. Manship employed contrapposto to show the non-symmetrical woman commanding the movement of two the gazelles. The woman forms the s-shape with one hand being raised and another hand being lowered on the head of one gazelle. Similarly, Rodin’s Walking Man contrapposto is non-symmetrical in shape. The art use of motion to create three-dimensional viewing makes it non-symmetric. Additionally, the art movements where the weight bearing leg is pointed straight ahead while the back foot is turned to the side makes a case for non-symmetry to be stronger. Moreover, both sculptures are depicting a relaxed stance appearing more realistic which is associated with the contrapposto style. Both sculptures have a balanced and harmonious pose to suggest a peacefully as well as a calm state of mind. Further, the relaxed pose in both sculptures is essential to show realism through the utilization of contrapposto. A notable difference between the contrapposto of Walking Man and the Dancer with the Gazelles is the motion and movement. While the Walking Man shows motion and movement through the arching torso, powerful legs plus the far and wide spaced feet, the Dancer with the Gazelles reveals a still contrapposto that lacks motion and movement. This is depicted through narrowly spaced legs, and the gazelles pose also reveal that there was no anticipation of motion. Further, the naturalness of the art is also attributed to the sculpture’s lack of motion in its contrapposto.

Similarities and differences between two structures

Notre Dame in Chartres and the Chrysler building represents iconic buildings regarding structure. The Notre Dame utilization of the post and lintel construction is evident while the Chrysler Building was built without the post and lintel construction. Notre Dame in France used the post and lintel construction to design its structure. The vertical posts, as well as the horizontal lintels, can be viewed with ease from the different angles of the building compared to the Chrysler Building that lacks true vertical posts and horizontal lintels. The post and lintel construction usually have spaced lintels that are covered by a roof, and this is shown in Notre Dame. Another notable difference is that Chrysler Building is a skyscraper construction while Notre Dame is not a skyscraper construction. A skyscraper must be a tall building that is safe and consists of numerous floors which is evident with the Chrysler Building and absent in Notre Dame. Additionally, the Notre Dame used the construction structure of a vault which is shown through the various vaults that enclose the structure, and this construction technique is familiar with the Gothic structures as opposed to the Chrysler Building which did not use vault construction. One of the similarities of the building is that both consist of pointed arches and the flying buttresses. While the Chrysler Building was constructed for economic purposes, the Notre Dame was constructed mainly for religious purposes.