I have chosen to compare and contrast the following two works of arts: (1) Leonardo Da Vinci, Madonna of the Rocks, c. 1495-1508. Oil on panel, 75 in. x 47 in. The National Gallery, London, England, and (2) Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes. c. 1625. Oil on canvas, 72 ½ in. x 55 ¾ in. Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, Michigan. These two arts are similar in theme, but differ in styles. There similarities and differences show us why they are important. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks and Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes are similar because they both shared the same theme. The theme that both of the arts shared are Art and Spiritual Belief. For instance,
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For instance, Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks depicts the characteristics of the High Renaissance arts. The figures in the painting seemed to make up the shape of a pyramid. The primary figure in the painting, Madonna of the Rocks, is Madonna (Virgin Mary), who function at the top of the pyramid of figures. She is embracing with her right arm an infant (John the Baptist), who is slightly larger than the other infant (Christ) in the painting. Mary’s hand on John’s shoulder seemed to be stern, almost as if she is directing John to Christ. John seems to be praying to Christ, who in turn is blessing him. The way Madonna’s left hand, that extends over the head of the infant Christ, is foreshorten seemed to encapsulate the space in Christ existence but in no way directing him. It seems as if Infant Christ existed in a space belonging to himself. While right of baby Christ is an archangel, which we could barely make out her wings behind her. The angel’s beauty and elegant speak of divine and heavenly space that they occupied. Madonna moved very gracefully in very complex ways in a composition in which are unified. The gracefulness of Madonna’s gesture and the position of her body signals us that this is a high Renaissance art. In addition, Leonardo also used atmospheric perspective to depict the Madonna surroundings. For instance, the color of the rocks and the sky changed as they are farther away from us. The rocks appear to be blue compared to the ones that are closer to us, which are brown. While the sky is blue when close to us, but white when farther away. In contrast, Gentileschi’s Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes depicts the characteristics of Baroque arts. Gentileschi used rich, deep colors and the painting is dramatic and emotional. In this
For instance, Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna of the Rocks depicts the characteristics of the High Renaissance arts. The figures in the painting seemed to make up the shape of a pyramid. The primary figure in the painting, Madonna of the Rocks, is Madonna (Virgin Mary), who function at the top of the pyramid of figures. She is embracing with her right arm an infant (John the Baptist), who is slightly larger than the other infant (Christ) in the painting. Mary’s hand on John’s shoulder seemed to be stern, almost as if she is directing John to Christ. John seems to be praying to Christ, who in turn is blessing him. The way Madonna’s left hand, that extends over the head of the infant Christ, is foreshorten seemed to encapsulate the space in Christ existence but in no way directing him. It seems as if Infant Christ existed in a space belonging to himself. While right of baby Christ is an archangel, which we could barely make out her wings behind her. The angel’s beauty and elegant speak of divine and heavenly space that they occupied. Madonna moved very gracefully in very complex ways in a composition in which are unified. The gracefulness of Madonna’s gesture and the position of her body signals us that this is a high Renaissance art. In addition, Leonardo also used atmospheric perspective to depict the Madonna surroundings. For instance, the color of the rocks and the sky changed as they are farther away from us. The rocks appear to be blue compared to the ones that are closer to us, which are brown. While the sky is blue when close to us, but white when farther away. In contrast, Gentileschi’s Judith and Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes depicts the characteristics of Baroque arts. Gentileschi used rich, deep colors and the painting is dramatic and emotional. In this