Figural Paintings In Christian Art

Paintings have been used as a type of expression for many years now. Using figural, landscape, and mural styles as different styles of depiction. In the past and specifically during the 6th c. CE it was more common to paint on the behalf of a religion. Depending on the religion being painted came a different style of illustration. In Christian art it was very common to see figural paintings, and scenes involving people to establish a story. These story depictions usually came from or were inspired by different series of events from the bible. However, here we have a familiar depiction familiar to those who practice the catholic faith. We now move away from the byzantine notion of painting and find our selves with figural paintings that honor …show more content…
Here see the virgin Marie and her child. The virgin Marie is shown barring her child with her left arm and using her right arm as additional support. The child, also formally known as Jesus is reaching for his mother’s head with his right arm. We can tell that this is a painting of the Virgin Marie and her son, Jesus because of the halo that surrounds her head. The halo on both the mother and the child are not quite evident unless attention is focused on the piece itself. It has the illusion of being engraved but instead thin paint streaks are used to creating this circular space around her head. They are both shown in drapery, and their clothes reveal there significance in the faith due to the colors they are shown wearing. These colors would have not been taking from the earth, meaning that it would have been more expensive to achieve these pigments in the garments they wore. The anatomical features are very rigid and linear in shape. The overall drawing of both faces do not seem to be very realistic, because of the ways in which there heads are sized In relation to the body. This is more apparent in the child, because the overall body is disfigured in terms on body dimensions. The overall colors used are vivid, but the brightness is dim making the piece look dull. The background is plain, and a solid coat of gold paint is used to full the space behind …show more content…
Painted icon from the Monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt. 6th c. He is also shown with a halo surrounding his head, although in this painting the halo is more evident and clearer to identify. Christ’s facial features, especially his nose are drawn the same. The nose looks very elongated in comparison to the size of his face, just like the nose of the virgin Marie. The background of this painting is very minimal because the halo takes up the majority of the space. The differences between these two painting however, are that Christ is carrying the bible, and the Virgin is shown holding the child. This can send the message that the male figure is expected to work and the female is expected to care for the