Museum tours are always exciting and help in better understanding of art and various perspectives associated with it. The paper will discuss a visit to Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena in Southern California. The museum is open on all days except Tuesdays and entry for students with valid is free. The Museum showcases a wide array of art pieces from Asian, European, Modern and 3D art. Paintings from Renaissance period were fascinating and gave a chance to introspect how two paintings can have a similar subject but dissimilar in their form. There were about 145 paintings on display showcasing European art from the 14th century to the 16th century. Masterpieces created by Giovani Bellini, Sandro Filippi, Francesco Bissolo and much more were on display.
The paintings “Madonna and Child, after” by Fra Angelico (Norton Simon Museum 2016), and “Virgin and Child”, a 15th Century oil on panel by Giovanni Bellini exhibit the same subject matter, but the artist style and formal properties of the paintings produce different meanings. The paintings belonged to the Renaissance period which witnessed astounding renewal fine art painting, drawing, and sculptures. Driven by the new concept of “humanism” Renaissance art gave prime importance to the dignity and worth of an individual above religious and secular doctrines. The selected painting portrays the same regarding depicting individual figures of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ instead of symbolic figures. The paintings also exhibit realism regarding human faces and body, including attention to detail which was also another common feature of the paintings of this period. There is a distinct feature of the Renaissance period that we can observe in the painting too, such as the theme of the paintings. Christianity remained a dominant theme during this period which is evident in both the paintings.
Although the painting refers to the same subject matter, the formal properties of the art produce a different meaning based on the unique artistic style of Giovani Bellini and Fra Angelico. “Virgin and Child” by Bellini uses color graduation rather than linear construction and “Madonna and Child” by Angelico uses bright colors and element of space and linearity. The color used by an artist says a lot about the mood and meaning of the picture painted. It is an important part which brings life to any painting and establishes iconographical meanings. Both the paintings show Virgin Mary but in different colors, In Bellini’s painting, Virgin Mary is dressed in red and black whereas in Angelico’s paintings it is Blue. The blue color Ichnographically in Christianity is highly respected as a celestial color and reserved to represent Christ, his mother Virgin Mary and Gods (Yang 32).It is evident that Angelico portrayed Virgin Mary as a Heavenly Being who gave birth to the Christ child. Even the details like intricate thread work done on the blue dress indicate to the magnificence and class associated with Heavenly beings. The red background with golden, intricate design adds to the feel of Mother Mary being present in a palace like structure, whereas Bellini depicted The Virgin Mary with the Christ child in a typical layman setup with the plain background. It is as if the mother who has the power to see the future is pondering about the sacrifice that her child will have to suffer and be crucified.
Angelico created depth in the painting by using the linear perspective. It intensifies the emotions. The use of lines and natural light brings the characters to life, making it almost real. One can feel the love in Mother Mary’s eyes for the Christ child, the way the child touches her mother’s chin produces a heart moving effect. The God was showing love to his mother, the expression itself is emotionally poignant. The overall mood exhibited is relaxed and happy. In Contrast to this Bellini by color, gradation depicted a different side of Mother Mary. It is known fact that no mother can bear the pain caused to her child in any way, may be in this picture Mother Mary was shown thinking how can she change the fate of her child, or how can she save her child from the pain. The picture shows Virgin Mary is looking at the other side not at the Christ child as if she is trying to avoid to admit that her child is special, and he will be the one who will rise above all to save humanity. The mood depicted is of worry and sadness. In both the paintings, one gets a remarkable sense of depth and shadow because of the shadowed and lighted areas. The absence of light would have naturally flattened the image making it dull and lifeless.
The oil on canvas by Bellini is successful in creating a spatial impression. He has used all the elements of color and perfect brush strokes to create a comprehensive view. The gold tempera leaf on Panel by Angelico with its linear perspective brings clarity of expression and uses space to bring the spatial effect. It is believed that Bellini in his paintings was able to portray profound religious expressions, no other artist could do so as compared to him, but even Angelico treated the same subject matter well and was able to portray a different meaning using all formal elements of painting. It would not be incorrect to say that the museum visit brought a lot of clarity regarding observing. Typical features of the Renaissance period establishing similarities in artistic styles of different painters. It was fascinating to see how two different painting, treating the same theme and same subject matter can bring out different meanings and moods
. It would be right to say that museum visits bring a clear understanding of art and its artists. Studying two works of art from the Renaissance period has raised my awareness regarding the artist styles and themes followed during that era as well as how the trend among the artists was geared towards realism in the arts.
Works Cited
"European Art: 14th-16th Centuries." nortonsimon. 2016. Web. 12 May. 2016.
"Norton Simon Museum." nortonsimon. 2016. Web. 12 May. 2016.
Yang, Jeongmi. "Giovanni Bellini; Experience and Experiment in Venetian Painting, c. 1460 to 1516." Iowa 1.1 (n.d.): 1-313. Print
