Test 2 Story/Symbolism, Style choices

“Entombment” stylistic choices?

Bright colors, garish

Figures are very different from renaissance style. Are not in ideal proportion: they float and show no mass, very long and tall, bending in inhuman ways. Figures show dramatic expressions, over-emotion, anxious and sad faces. Heads noticeably smaller.

No linear perspective, no focal point. Artists deliberately chose not to include horizon line or focal point. Eyes looking in different places, hands point everywhere- no use of gesture like Da Vinci.

Believed this was an elegant and stylized way to paint the figures.

“Entombment” story

Not clear exactly what is happening because of the lack of detail in figures and distortion of them. Possibly, lamentation, descent from cross, entombment. We know Mary and jesus are there from clothes, rest of the figures aren’t identified because they lack full bodies.

“Madonna with the Long Neck” stylizing choices?

Very noticeably long figures, moving away from classic idealism. Mary is teetering and unsteady showing lots of tension with the baby. Baby jesus is lounging on Mary’s angled lap, which shows an angled perspective so viewer can see her lap. Also an asymmetric painting with the painting in the center.

Baby jesus is bald and looks dead, intentionally made to look dead because of the reference to the Pieta (made from sash), shows themes of beginning and end.

Unclear light source because baby jesus is bright but other sections are too. Collapsing perspective as well.

figures are cropped for the first time and look so distorted from it.

“Madonna with the Long Neck” story?

Theme of Madonna and child, like vesperbild and pieta. There are angels surrounding them, from cutoff wing on the left side. They are crowding Mary and all heads are shoved into the painting. An old testament prophet is holding scrolls in back meaning events to come.

Painting is clearly unfinished from the column being empty on the top. But there is a tiny reference to other columns being painted but just not completed.

“Venus of Urbino” stylistic choices?

Use of many layers of oil to get chiaroscuro lighting and value.

Very balanced display with the dog on the bed and the colors (red) being balanced in the corners.

Not alberti’s 1 point perspective.

Don’t even see brushwork, very highly detailed and finished, smooth surface.

“Venus of Urbino” story?

An unnamed representation of a contemporary woman is seen in a palazzo/villa, with a swag (cloth drape) to give visual balance, this is an increasing symbol in modernism.

She is staring directly at us, body is the foreground and not modest at all, she is deliberate showing eroticism.

Probably commissioned by patron to celebrate her (prized object). Probably placed somewhere private.

Dog showing fidelity/loyalty. Maids in corner getting garments. She is lying on pillows and a rich red cushion.

Theme of nudes at the time.

“Garden of Earthly Delights” overall story?

Was a small private commission by Duke of Nassau, was a triptych so makes sense why it was small and private.

Closed it has limited color,.. and shows an earth from both realms.

Inside it has (read from left to right) garden of paradise, absolute debauchery, downfall of man: apocalypse.

Located at the Prado museum in Madrid, Spain.

POSSIBLE appropriated format of the triptych altarpiece because he discouraged Christian beliefs.

He focused on small details and hidden symbolism inside the work. Meaning that historians are still trying to understand and study this piece. More stiff like dolls, mannequins, Bosch obviously didn’t study anatomy for the classical sculpture look of figures.

“Garden of Earthly Delights” left panel story/symbolism?

Characterized as the “garden of paradise” because of it being Adam and Eve pre-sin. There were trees with red fruit, showing lots of potential for sin and knowledge.

Adam is lounging around while Eve is being created from god.

Possibly creatures and ideas from their own vernacular folktales. Some critters are normal but others look hybrid, almost from imagination. Similar to “Temptation of St. Anthony” creatures. Creature is reading books. Cat has rat, which is a repeated symbol throughout art at this time for events unfolding. Bunnies are multiplying. Drew zoo animals (elephants, giraffe, etc.) from illustrations seen in other studies.

There is a fountain, as well as fantastic mountain scapes in the image.

Noticeably seen is a bear tearing another animal up, which is showing the increasing possibility for violence once they sin. There is also the hybrid critters seeping in from the other frames showing what’s to come.

“Garden of Earthly Delights” middle panel story/symbolism?

Over 100 figures from men populating the garden now. There are still orchards with ripe fruit but now they’re all different kinds and sizes, showing lack of proportion in sidings (animals also bigger). Fruit is usually a symbol of sexuality, lust, sin.

Center has women with light and dark skin in a pool are surrounded by men on stags running around them. People are coupled up, regardless of gender. There are flowers growing out of peoples backsides. An owl is looking at the audience representing folley, foolishness.

Shows with all the animals and people that it is a globally represented pieces of the whole world in the painting.

“Garden of Earthly Delights” right panel?

Shows an apocalyptic representation, the downfall of man because they gave into their vices. Something something. A confounding representation that many want to understand. A moral warning for giving into vices/human nature will lead to our inevitable downfall of man.

there are Gregorian chants on figures butts which could explain the historical context of growing discontent with church. demonic creatures and musical instruments torturing figures, their old instruments that gave happiness are now being used as a form of torture.

“Adam and Eve” story and symbolism?

The setting is set in dense woods in the Black Forest, near where Durer was from. Adam and Eve are in the forest and representing when they ate from fruit of knowledge, hence the fruit in eves hand. hands aren’t covering themselves, eve is touching the serpent and giving it fruit.

Durer included a signing to claim and protect his prints from copycats

Many animals shown to symbolize the folk traditions, or pseudo science, of what a perfect body has inside, balanced fluids blend with …If someone was unwell they said one of the 4 humors were out of balance:

(Rabbit) Anxiety/high strung= too much blood

(Ox) tired/sluggish = Too much flem

(Elk) depressed/melancholia = too much black bile

(Cat/Rat together, also symbolizes that a sin is about to happen) anger = too much yellow bile

parrot = symbolizes the new study of exotic animals

“Garden of Earthly Delights” style?

Was not concerned with classical figures, painted stiff-like dolls, unlike renaissance

“Adam and Eve” style?

Wanted to represent them naturally, also had contrappasto stance similar to Birth of Venus

“The Ambassadors” story and symbolism?

This Is a double portrait of French ambassadors who arrived in town… They are dressed in high fashion and style clothing, flaunting wealth. This was a gift to commemorate their visit, but the use of in-lay marble flooring is flooring from west minister abbey, a very famous place.

Crucifix in top left corner references the issues of catholic faith at the time, without being obvious. 

Showed their interests with the objects in hand and around them. There is balanced appreciation of arts and sciences along the whole painting. Math and science covers top half, and literature and poetry, along with music covers bottom half. They also have lots of tools used for traveling, calling them mariners, and also tools to look at constellations

In the foreground is a string broken on the Lute, which represents love, but the string is in disarray, out of harmony, saying he isn’t playing it correctly. Plays on idea of Anamorphosis.

Had distorted skull at the bottom of the page for a gag. It was an illusion where he skewed the painting so if you look from a different angle you see the skull in full picture. this was brought to pull off an impressive gimmick in front of the tudors and Henry. 

“The Ambassadors” style?

Lots of fine details and precision in the painting. Holbein showed off his skills as an artist with the realistic detail in every inch of the painting. contrast in patterns and design?

The style on the woven rug suggests middle eastern patterning (geomtrical shapes) which was a highly prized object. You didn’t walk on these rugs, or place them on the floor. They traded these things, but it showed the colonial sides of these guys too.

“Baldacchino” story and symbolism?

Built to overwhelm anyone who entered St. Peters. Believed to be built on top of St. Peters burial spot. Underneath of St. Peters is necropolis, tomb 8 is where John Paul the second is buried throughout the red wall, a big black market at the time for relics. 

Urban the 8th was patron for the piece, so his face was put on medallions and his symbol of bees were everywhere on the piece. 

Rosary were put on the piece for engagement from viewer.

Dove represented the Holy Spirit. Angels on four corners represented the want for people to spread to the four corners, sense of action from the parishioners. 

there are angels giving keys to papal crown, referencing St. Peter. There is also a globe at the top with cross at very top showing the dominance and power the church holds. 

“Baldacchino” style?

Represents an example of a baldachin.

Main baroque element was wanting to engage the viewer into the art work. Tried to create a sense of movement, energy, showed theatric moves. Twisted the columns, and twisted vines around them to show an organic movement. They changed the classical structure of columns, Solomonic columns which were based on Solomons temple. The rosary added so people would feel a sense to touch the art. 

The top of the work was reimagining classical pediments. It is now showing movement with the curves and twists at the top. 

The angels are not in contrappasto stance, they are in strong poses.

“David” story and symbolism?

Commissioned by roman cardinal.

This context, because it’s now in Rome, means he’s a defender against heresy. He has body armor for structure, it’s a bit off center to show movement. There is cloth covering nude body. Wild hair and dramatic expression on face as he’s in full action of slaying Goliath. 

“David” style

what made it baroque was the use of harsh diagonal lines in the sculpture, use of dramatic expression, deep cuts in sculpture for dramatic lighting, not nude, and in elliptical action. David has a grimace on his face, his arm is about to slay Goliath, he is very energized showing his movement. he is also life size so he can be eye level with us and it brings the audience into the action of the piece. Bernini also studied his own expression in the mirror to get the dramatic face

“st teresa of Avila in ecstasy” story and symbolism?

He designed the Cornaro chapel, that the piece is in so the whole chapel has been made for this piece. The nun, St. Teresa, published a biography about her intimate experience with god and his presence through deep spiritual prayer. This is what the subject is based upon is her in this moment with god. wanted the audience to also feel engaged like if they were to pray hard enough…

There are carved balcony boxes on the left and right sides from stone. There was black stone carved like fabric, and Cornaro family members carved to prop themselves up on the carved velvet cushion.They look engaged in conversation. The backdrop is also an illusion carving. 

Painted arch with dove (representing Holy Spirit), clouds, cherubs, and angels. 

The marble from the statue is attached to the actual wall of the chapel. It shows an angel holding an arrow that is plunged into teresa repeatedly. Teresas face shows an erotic state of ecstasy, she is feeling the heat from god its consuming her. God is light behind, natural light at specific place so audience can witness the miracle happening in front of them. 

“st teresa of Avila in ecstasy” style?

the pediment structure is built recalling original classical temple triangular pediments. But it is broken on each side and shows movement at the top. There are 2 engaged corinthian columns on either side, Made from imported multicolor marble.

The arch painted creates a 3d illusion because of the use of plaster and paints break the boundaries of the ceiling. Cloud are painted on the outside spilling into the audiences space, causing engagement in the piece.

the illusion of a room carved into balcony boxes, and the moving characters, not static, show the baroque style of movement in pieces. The detailed carved fabric moving as well. he’s created drama in the piece as well with these added sculptures.

The marble looks like it’s floating but it’s actually attached to the wall. The way it was carved was to look lightweight and suspended in the air on clouds. The light is also a built in illusion. there is window on outside shining light into a mirror, which concentrates the light and hits the horizontal light above the sculpture. this casts it down onto the sculpture and creates an engagement with the piece. now indoor lighting has ruined this illusion

the use of good as the light behind also is orthodoxy which is a baroque style feature

the carved drapes almost have a sense of life on there own because of the movement carved into the piece.

“San carlo” story and symbolism?

means “little church”, was built into the strip on the land so its like a neighborhood chapel.

angels are carved holding up the ellipse in the center, symbolizes Galileos theory of planet orbit around the sun

“San carlo” style?

The structure is similar to renaissance style but it curves across the whole building creating movement as it curves inward and outwards. This movement plays the lights and darks from shadows and the sun.

the usually horizontal roof and triangular pediment is now broken up and curved as well. 

the new shape, ellipse, is used to engage with viewer. as the angels look like they are struggling to hold it up, the ellipse tilts down and faces the people below making it seem like we need to go inside the church before the ellipse falls. 

it is a low dome in interior to create the illusion of height, uses smaller carvings as it gets closer to top to create that perspective illusion. 

“calling of st Matthew” story and symbolism?

Used a contemporary tavern for relatability. Unclear who is Matthew, still much discussion.

There are people dressed in renaissance clothes and then Jesus and St Peter are dressed in early christian clothes. they gesture forward, which is quoting the creation of Adam by Michelangelo. Supposed to symbolize that they needed to call greedy people (tax collectors) back to the faith and god and away from materials like money. The light was another use of orthodoxy because its a symbol of god.

“calling of st Matthew” style?

The subject is pushed into the immediate foreground which is engaging with the audience because of the way it’s in our faces. The dramatic expressions give a greater sense of movement.

The tenebrism light used is similar to a spotlight, and used to create a drama sense in the piece

“Judith Beheading Holofernes” Gentileschi versus Caravaggio story?

A popular concept to paint a beheading at the time.

His parting shows a calm and dainty Judith. She is obviously not in control possibly coerced, and in a pose with minimal expression. Theme of young and old hag, which was a stereotype of the two types of women you could become at the time. His conforms to the ideal pretty woman.

Her story shows a stronger physically dominating woman who isn’t afraid to get the blood splattered on herself. She is seen as a heroic character. Lot more movement…

“Judith Beheading Holofernes” style?

The use of diagonals and movement along with tenebrism bring together the piece…

“Water Carrier of Seville” story and symbolism?

A type of genre scene which was one of everyday life: street peddler of water in terracotta jugs?

not representing bible, mythology, or kings, just a common occurrence. 

He did this to show off his mastered skills and virtuosity as an artist. It’s difficult to capture all the different textures and draw a glass of water. Was like a demo piece, or portfolio type piece. 

textures used: matte and smooth terracotta jug (which was in foreground); Rough clothing and fine cotton weavings, velvet, sating; shiny smooth on left jug; wood texture on table

“Water Carrier of Seville” style?

use of tenebrism across the painting

“Maids of Honor” story and symbolism?

This is a conversational portraiture in an official gallery room in the palace. It captures the image on Velasquez in the middle of painting the king and queen of Spain (pictured in the mirror). With the princess, Margarita, 5 years old, was in center but not clear if she is the focal point.

dog is in foreground showing loyalty and fidelity again.

maids and members of court, little people, are painted in as well. valesquez being painted in as well shows his close relationship as court painters.

“Maids of Honor” style?

Valesquez engaged with viewer because what he is painting and looking at is the audience/king and queen, we are standing where they would’ve stood.

The use of light from the right side and background, showed the tenebrism, with the dull shadows as well.

His use of painting as well was loose strokes that weren’t geometrically perfect, but brought a sense of motion and movement, sort of vibration to the piece.

Used reds inside of the painting to gesture eyes around the painting like orthogonal did back in renaissance.

“Henry IV Receiving the Portrait of Marie de Medici” story and symbolism?

one of the glorified paintings from the time period. imagined piece of grandeur when Henry received her portrait for marriage. Henry is lovestruck and has stepped off the battlefield, left his shield on the ground because he has been disarmed by love. Cupids look at viewers smirking as they hold the jewels?

figure in blue is a French allegory, fleur-de-lis

Hera (romanesque spirit, peacock, bosom bared) and Zeus (red) are in the clouds blessing them for their marriage).

“Henry IV Receiving the Portrait of Marie de Medici” style?

mild dramatic lighting, crowded with figures making a sort of extra feel to the painting because of the amount of figures and objects. looser brushwork to create movement and energy in the piece.

call sign in the fleshy figures, not the conventional athletic body, this type of figure speaks to wealth and celebration of beautiful healthy bodies

“Malle Babbe” story and symbolism?

woman in a tavern with a large tankard (container full of beer), she has an owl on her soldier to represent (folly/witch), she is very happy and jolly in the moment. She is being represented as a fool w/ no dignity, unusual persona at this time. Her dress is a protestant style. Not perfect skin showing the more realistic casual nature instead of ideal figures.  

“Malle Babbe” style?

dramatic lighting and energetic expression showing the drama of the piece. casual posing. subject matter is pushed into immediate foreground and engaging us with the piece.

very fast strokes almost sketch-like

“Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulip"” story and symbolism?

group portrait of the surgeons guild, in a conversation. The man in black outfit is leading the lesson, theme of education is during the time period overlaps with the age of enlightenment.

corpse in foreground which breaks the art rule of being beautiful or ideal. forceps in the hand pulling at tendons and showing relationship with inner and outer bodily figures.

“Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulip"” style?

tenebristic light in the middle, shallowness of space, dim background with the foreground pushing to the front for engagement. stacked figures with diagonal energy.

corpse proves they haven’t fully mastered a diagonal figure yet. the view is a table in our space, the torso is long and deco but the angle we usually wouldn’t see a face but he added it which makes it odd. 9

“View of Haarlem” story and symbolism?

Showcases an inhabited place, there are activities within the space documenting doing and owning the land. were looking at Haarlem from a distance, very flat ground that’s why its vertical because the land only takes up 33% of painting to showcase the flatness of vista. there is a balance of natural terrain with structures, church and… small figures doing chores, windmills for harnessing energy, clouds show energy but still pleasing balance.

Depth in photo shows windows clearly that’s because of the production of telescopes from Galileo.

“View of Haarlem” style?

no tenebristic light or immediate foreground but use of depth and space instead

“Woman Holding a Balance” story and symbolism?

Pregnant woman is weight the value of her jewelry. She is contemplating her sins and life in a genre scene. 

Painting within a painting was common in dutch at this time. The painting in the background is the last judgement by Jacob de Backer. This is where we understand the themes of sin and judgement. 

She is dressed in blue and a veil to represent Mary but as a contemporary dutch woman. 

Mirror is reflecting light, another theme of contemplating reflection…

The themes of Catholicism come from the painters wife, who was Catholic. She practiced in private because the dutch provinces were heavily protestant regions and catholicism wasn’t accepted. 

“Woman Holding a Balance” style?

Brushwork is tight, with no sense of movement or energy, very detailed. There is not much tenebristic light but there is a small amount of light drama here, probably the most out of all his paintings. he uses the window and mirror to shine light onto the woman.

We see her through a “key hole” perspective, which means the viewer is watching the scene unfold instead of being apart of it.

very quiet and still piece because of the lack of drama.

almost a grid-like geometrical setup unlike most baroque pieces.

“Flower Still Life” story and symbolism?

There were insects, fruits, many different flowers that weren’t all dutch (lilies, peonies, carnations, morning glories, etc.). Because the dutch people were studying plants they would often go off to other countries and bring back a lot to study. 

There was a tulip mania, where everyone wanted the valuable tulips in hybrid ways, the tulip boom eventually caused the collapse financially when it was over. 

artist relied on other artists (Maria merian) botanical works to understand blooms, since many of the flowers in the photo bloom at different times of year. 

Wealthy people looking for decorative pieces would buy these works

the meaning of these paintings were that the study of science during the enlightenment was taking place, trade.., and brevity of life…

“Flower Still Life” style?

very tight precision in strokes, but there is still energy because of the way the flowers bloom and the saturated colors. There Is use of tenebristic light as well

the still life is pushed into the immediate foreground.

now artists sign their work because of the popular art market that is gallery style.

“The Signboard of Gersaint” story and symbolism?

Created to be hung outside a gallery shop, located in Paris, to advertise what the shop was selling (art and decorations)

patrons were of the French court, aristocracy, which would ultimately lead to the French Revolution. foreground is the sidewalk and a dog biting its fleas which showed the difference in lifestyle right outside the gallery.

pink meant masculinity and power, she was also dressed in the latest fashions.

they are putting up a mirror and replacing Louis the 14th portraits, because of the growing theme of vanity and narcissism in rococo era. along with many paintings of nudity and erotic themes, eye candy portraits were now more popular instead of meaningful pieces of work.

clients are nonchalant as they look at a vanity set (associated with beauty) and a mirror to purchase.

the man in elegant new fashion clothing is staring at the nudity while the woman dressed in all black, presumably mourning is staring at the sky, shows difference in taste at the time.

“The Signboard of Gersaint” style?

showcasing the growing theme of sexiness, self love, and fashion at the time.

“The Swing” story and symbolism?

garden scene showing a scandal occurring. the woman spreads her legs (with nothing covering her) for her lover hiding in the bushes, as her actual husband pushes her on the swing.

there is a dog for loyalty, its added humor since she is clearly not being loyal.

“The Swing” story and symbolism?

the trees are drawn loosely and dreamlike. the theme of love and eroticisim is also present.