Comparisons of Two Pieces of Art (Essay Sample)

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Comparisons of Two Pieces of Art


The 'Lamentation with Saints and a Donor' by Bartolommeo di Giovanni


'The Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' by a Flemish School
McKendrick, &Kren (2003) agree that "The Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' and 'Lamentation with Saints and a Donor', are fascinating art in Art Gallery of Ontario (Jacobs 120)." ‘Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' was created by unknown artists in a Flemish School in the late fifteenth century. Bartolomeo di Giovanni, a renaissance painter from Italy created the ‘Lamentation with Saints and a Donor'. The paintings were done in the same period and depict a similar message.
Comparison
A: Bartolomeo created the ‘Lamentation with Saints and a Donor’ in 1490 using oil based paints and colours on the canvas sheet. The painting measures 163.8cm high by 191.7cm wide.
B: The ‘Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' was created in the same era by a Flemish school. Dixon, (2002) adds "the painting measures 80.6 cm high by 98.4cm wide, making it smaller than the Lamentation." The ‘Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' is drawn using egg tempera paints and colours on a suave, flat piece of wood (Jacobs 123). The Egg tempera method of painting involves the use of egg yolk, powdered pigments, and water to manufacture a liquid that can be used to paint. The renaissance painters preferred tempera paint for its fast drying properties. Painters and artists have used tempera since the medieval age.
A: Lehman (1998) notes "Bartolomeo di Giovanni's painting, 'Lamentation with Saints and a Donor' is an artistic recreation of the last moments of Christ with his followers." The painting shows the artist perceived the scene of the crucifixion in blaring detail. The mood displayed in the painting is sombre' and depicts grief, defeat, darkness, hopelessness, and acceptance of circumstances.
B: 'The Deposition with Donors and Patron Saints' is more magnanimous, remorseful, triumphant and complicated than 'Lamentation with Saints and a Donor'. This painting, unlike the lamentation, is a depiction of the scene after Christ is demounted from the cross. The Deposition is mixture of triumph, grace, compassion, and repentance. The most interesting bit about this painting is that all characters show love and compassion for Christ, even the Pharisees and Sadducees who were his enemies.
A: The painting shows seven women and five men crouched in anguish over the body of the fallen Christ. The cross can be seen behind the group, presumably the cross on which Christ was nailed and crucified McKendrick &Kren, (2003). Strewn all around one can see the objects and artefacts used to execute Christ (Dixon 124). There is a crown of thorns on the ground and a spear leaning on the wall. Some of the notable men from the painting are seen standing behind the group. Joseph of Arimathea is immaculately dressed and holds a small jar, presumably containing perfume. Simon of Cyrene is also standing, as a show of his significance to the crucifixion story.
B: Closer inspection of the painting reveals some Disciples of Christ on the right side of the picture. The centreboard comprises of Christ, who is held by a woman and a group of other weeping women. The right board is filled with tight-faced men, who could be the other teachers of the law (Lehman 11).
A: Bartolomeo uses bright colours and robust bodies of the characters to share his belief with the audience. The blatant use of red in the painting may be a signal of pain. The painting depicts hope and faith in religion (Dixon 24). The painter expresses the presence of the Holy Spirit by painting haloes o top of the heads of all the subjects. This is meant to show their divinity and likely promotion to sainthood. The biggest and brightest halo is painted on the head of the main character; Jesus Christ to signify his overbear...