Visual Images (Essay Sample)

Visual Images Name Institution Introduction Visual arts can be defined as art forms that usually create images that are predominantly visual in nature. There are various forms of visual arts, but the most common forms of visual arts are seen in ceramic wares, drawings, sculptures, videos, craft works, photography and architecture (Hallen, 2008). Visual arts, especially drawings, are important in communication traditions, cultures and the general way of life of the people and age within which it was made. Particularly, the materials used, such as ink, the material on which an artwork is made, the size and the painting style speaks a lot about the origin and use of a drawing. This paper compares and contrasts two visual arts which include Death of Sardanapalus and Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy image. Death Sardanapalus Image of Death Sardanapalus (Larren, 2006) Death Sardanapalus image was created in 1827 by a French artist Eugene Delacroix. The image was based on the tale of Sardanapalus, who was the last king of Assyria. The image can currently be found in the Musée du Louvre museum, which is located in Paris, France. The picture is made up of oil medium and it is also supported by a canvas. The height of the picture is 392 centimeters while the length of the picture is 496 centimeters. The reason for choosing this image is that it represents the great French works that were done in the 19th century. The common story of the Assyrian leader, Sardanapalus was a sad one and it is no wonder that this story attracted Eugene Delacroix to base his art works on it (Vellah, 2009). Sardanapalus was the king of Nineveh, and when he learnt that his city was under attack by a rebellious group of enemies, he decided to destroy his possessions together with his prostitutes. This image is symbolic as it shows one of the king's servants trying to kill one of the prostitutes. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy image. Image of Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy (Simpson, 2009). Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy image is an image that was made in 1594 by an Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi o Amerighi da Caravaggio. The image can currently be found in the Wadsworth Athenaeum museum, which is located in the state of Connecticut, United States. This image is made of oil medium and it measures 92.4centimetres in length and 127.5 centimeters in width. It is an important icon as it symbolizes the artistic works that were embraced in the 16th century and the same time represents some of the common images that were being done by Italian artists (Hallen, 2008). The comparison of the above two pictures is important as it will help show the major differences between the artistic works of Italian origin and French origin. The comparison will also play a major role in indicated the difference between 19th and 16th century images. Similarities between Death Sardanapalus and Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy images The first similarity that can be seen in the above two pictures is the medium that was used to create the pictures. In both pictures, oil was used for drawing. Oil was the most form of paint that was available in the 16th and 19th century. Many artists independent of their place of origin used oil to create their images. The second similarity that is seen is that both pictures are recognized by modern day critics as masterpieces of all times. According to Nobleman (2012), both Death of Sardanapalus and Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy images portrays a high level of inventiveness borrowed from Christian related stories. The drawers of the pictures portray a lot of courage as they practice vignette style of painting in their images. Both artists also recognized and embraced the strength of color effects in their images. Differences between the two images The first difference between the two images is the tones elicited and the symmetrical arrangement of the two pictures. Death of Sardanapalus image portrays a chaotic environment while Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy image portrays a cool environment. According to Austin (2010), most of the Italian visual works are associated with cool and serene environment due to the strong Christian history that the country has embraced for long. Austin continues to ar...