Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
Baroque Art
An examination of "Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist" by Jacopo del Sellaio, 1480-85 and "St. Sebastian Attended by Holy Women" by Nicolas Regnier (called Nicolo Renieri) 1615-1626 reveal the differences between early and later Renaissance painting in Italy. Jacopo del Sellaio's word dates to the late fifteenth century, and Renieri painted more than a century after that. The historical context of their work also signals the differences between Sellaio and Renieri. Sellaio studied under Fra Filippo Lippi and his style inevitably reveals his connection with the Lippi school. Sandro Botticelli studied under Lippi at the same time; Renieri and Botticelli influenced each other and this is especially evident in "Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist." For instance, Botticelli's style is evident in Sellaio's work "in such traits as the texture and color of hair, the tilt of the Virgin's head and the elongation of her hands," (Castelvecchi 1). On the other hand, Regnier's "St. Sebastian Attended by Holy Women" bears a far more dramatic homage to Caravaggio in the use of extreme chiaroscuro, or tenebrism. Therefore, the eras in which they painted is directly related to the differences in style between Sellaio and Regnier.
The subject matter and symbolism in Sellaio's "Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist" is also different from that in Regnier's "St. Sebastian Attended by Holy Women." Although both focus on Biblical symbolism, the actual subjects chosen and their composition differ significantly. Sellaio's earlier...
The painting of Mary and the Christ child sends a message concurrent with the early Renaissance, emphasizing "rebirth" in a literal manner. On the other hand, Regnier's depiction of the wounded St. Sebastian speaks more of tragedy, hope, and redemption. The symbolism in Regnier's painting of St. Sebastian is unavoidably like depictions of Jesus coming down from the cross, underscoring the universality of that symbol. In Sellaio's "Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist," the latter is depicted as a child, too. John the Baptist is integral not only to the subject but also to the painting's composition. John the Baptist's halo aligns neatly with Mary's fingertips, and both occupy the same horizontal plane. The hands of John the Baptist form a prayer position, as do those of Christ. The similarities between the hand positions of Christ and John the Baptist further links the two Biblical figures, in addition to their both being depicted as children, replete with innocence. Sellaio includes three figures in the painting also to represent and symbolize the Holy Trinity. Other indications that Sellaio consciously includes symbols of the Holy Trinity include the depiction of Jesus looking directly at the orb of light on Mary's shoulder; there is a second in line with her forehead.
The subject of Regnier's "St. Sebastian Attended by Holy Women" also, interestingly, contains three figures and therefore references the symbolism of the Holy Trinity,…
Works Cited
Castelvecchi, Davide. "Renaissance Painting Restoration Leads to Unusual Collaboration." Stanford Report. July 21, 2004. Retrieved online: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2004/july21/jacopo-721.html
Regnier, Nicolas. "St. Sebastian Attended by Holy Women," 1615-1626.
Sellaio, Jacopo del. "Virgin and Child with St. John the Baptist." Painting. 1480-85
The above perception of the insanity of life is not at all apparent in the second painting of Georges Seurat. While it is mystical, it gives too much quiescence that is there with the impressionistic style. This like Picasso's painting above is a happy trip and does not exhibit as much negative energy as Picasso. He also does not seem to be trying to summon any primitive energies. Rather Seurat's
Art History: The Impressionists Baroque The word baroque has no clear origin. Some says that it came from a medieval philosophical word connoting the strange or the ridiculous, some consider it as derived from the Spanish barueco or Portuguese referring to an irregular shaped pearl. As 18th century was coming to an end baroque find its way to art criticism terminology in form of epithet leveled against art of the 17th century,
Art History The renaissance period was an important period in terms of culture, history and most importantly art. Art became a way to express ones views in politics, religion and society simply because one could imply subtle images or symbols that could convey their thoughts and opinions. There were many things therefore that inspired various artists in their art work. This paper will focus on Leonardo da Vinci as an artist
His paintings were and are provocative because, instead of using personal confessions (like Dali), he uses irony and wit and intelligence to make his point hear. "The Treason of Images" is controversial in the sense that it makes the viewer question art and language and the meaning that we apply to objects. Magritte questions the assumptions made by people about the world, changing the scale of objects and defying
Art History The clouds gleamed gloriously, as if they were smiling to greet newcomers to heaven Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti. The two artists sat rather impatiently in the heavenly waiting room, and they refused to pick up any of the literature that lay strewn on the gilded coffee table before them. This is ridiculous," grumbled Leonardo, who in spite of his age lacked no luster in his eyes. "I am
Art History The transition from the Baroque to the Rococo style in sculpture and painting was attended by a concurrent shift in European power relations, as the cultural and political hegemony of the Roman Catholic Church gave way to secular institutions of power. Comparing a work produced during the height of either style demonstrates this shift implicitly, because the Rococo style contains a playfulness in both theme and visual content hinting