Essay One In this essay I will be discussing the similarities and differences between Leonardo da Vinci’s, The Last Supper created in 1495-98[1] and Raphael’s, La Belle Jardinière created in 1507[2]. In both cases, these masterpieces depict famous religious figures, The Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Some of the secondary religious figures include John the Baptist and the 12 disciples. Both masterpieces have held major significance and acclamation, not only in the religious realm, but also in History, especially Art History. Both of these works would be categorized as sacred works due to the religious nature of the composition. So many wonderful and quite frankly, astounding masterful creations were brought about by the hands of
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A majority of his studies and inquiries revolved around the question of mankind’s place in the world[3]. Although he experimented in a wide range of studies, painting above all, held his interest. In his depiction of The Last Supper, da Vinci employed the use of a one-point perspective. Da Vinci used string and nails to help him visualize this work during the creation process[4]. You can actually find a nail hole in the center of Christ’s temple showing the key spatial focus of the painting[5]. This one of the most important elements of this piece. The Last Supper was painted to create the illusion of a larger room than the current structure allowed, making Jesus Christ and his disciples part of the room’s atmosphere. A notable element of the painting is the extremely symbolic structural opening directly behind Jesus’s head[6]. The open arch allows for plenty of natural light to shine in and create a focal point around Jesus’s head. This was the structural equivalent of a halo compared to the gold disks that used to be placed around important religious figureheads[7]. Da Vinci was able to imply the holiness rather than paint it. This was one of da Vinci’s trademarks throughout his work; the impression of an idea rather than the physical element depicted. He was aiming more for the viewer to be challenged and piece it together …show more content…
W., Penelope J. E. Davies, and H. W. Janson. Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011. Holt, Elizabeth Basye Gilmore. Michelangelo and the Mannerists: The Baroque and the Eighteenth Century. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1981. "Last Supper - History." Last Supper - History. Accessed January 14, 2016. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/davi/project/history.htm. "La Belle Jardinière by Raphael – Facts & History of the Painting." Totally History La Belle Jardiniere Comments. Accessed January 15, 2016. http://totallyhistory.com/la-belle-jardiniere/.
[1] Janson, H. W., Penelope J. E. Davies, and H. W. Janson. Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011), 563.
[2] Ibid., 577.
[3] Ibid., 559. [4] "Last Supper - History." Last Supper - History. Accessed January 14, 2016. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/davi/project/history.htm
[5] Last Supper, History.
[6] Janson, Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition, 563.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Janson, Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition, 563.
[9] Ibid., 577.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Totally History, “La Belle Jardinière by Raphael – Facts & History of the
A majority of his studies and inquiries revolved around the question of mankind’s place in the world[3]. Although he experimented in a wide range of studies, painting above all, held his interest. In his depiction of The Last Supper, da Vinci employed the use of a one-point perspective. Da Vinci used string and nails to help him visualize this work during the creation process[4]. You can actually find a nail hole in the center of Christ’s temple showing the key spatial focus of the painting[5]. This one of the most important elements of this piece. The Last Supper was painted to create the illusion of a larger room than the current structure allowed, making Jesus Christ and his disciples part of the room’s atmosphere. A notable element of the painting is the extremely symbolic structural opening directly behind Jesus’s head[6]. The open arch allows for plenty of natural light to shine in and create a focal point around Jesus’s head. This was the structural equivalent of a halo compared to the gold disks that used to be placed around important religious figureheads[7]. Da Vinci was able to imply the holiness rather than paint it. This was one of da Vinci’s trademarks throughout his work; the impression of an idea rather than the physical element depicted. He was aiming more for the viewer to be challenged and piece it together …show more content…
W., Penelope J. E. Davies, and H. W. Janson. Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011. Holt, Elizabeth Basye Gilmore. Michelangelo and the Mannerists: The Baroque and the Eighteenth Century. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1981. "Last Supper - History." Last Supper - History. Accessed January 14, 2016. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/davi/project/history.htm. "La Belle Jardinière by Raphael – Facts & History of the Painting." Totally History La Belle Jardiniere Comments. Accessed January 15, 2016. http://totallyhistory.com/la-belle-jardiniere/.
[1] Janson, H. W., Penelope J. E. Davies, and H. W. Janson. Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2011), 563.
[2] Ibid., 577.
[3] Ibid., 559. [4] "Last Supper - History." Last Supper - History. Accessed January 14, 2016. http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/davi/project/history.htm
[5] Last Supper, History.
[6] Janson, Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition, 563.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Janson, Janson 's History of Art: The Western Tradition, 563.
[9] Ibid., 577.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Totally History, “La Belle Jardinière by Raphael – Facts & History of the