Art Appreciation
Clearly evaluating the pictures of Saint Mathew in the book by Durrow and the portrait from the coronation gospels, several differences can be observed. One of the major differences is that the portrait appears to be abstracted in the Durrow book. The abstraction in the portrait is mainly due to the fact that there are other animal images in the same portrait (Janet, 1979). These other animals are elongated therefore causing the abstraction. This is not the case when you observe the portrait from the coronation gospels. In the coronation gospels, there are no other features that are present in the portrait and therefore the portrait can be viewed clearly.
The other difference is that the portrait in the book by Durrow is drawn using lines that appear to be simple and therefore does not appear to be exactly representing a man. This is why the portrait in the book by Durrow is one dimensional (Fred, 2011). On the other hand, the portrait of saint Mathew as observed from the coronation gospels is drawn using complex lines that are used to show more features that man has in addition, there are several paintings that are meant to make the portrait appear to be three dimensional. In this case therefore the portraits seems to be representing a man’s’ image.
The fact that Durrow incorporated other animals in the portrait shows that these environmental factors also shape the human beings (fred, 2011). The aim of the other animals that were abstracting the portrait is that the environmental factors play a role in influencing the lives of a human being.
On the other hand, the portrait in the coronation gospels does not show the environment. There are no other animals or items to abstract the image. Therefore the environment is not represented in this case.
The portraits represent some history of the period when they were painted. The portrait by Durrow is painted in a way that depicts the metalwork that was common during the period.
The portrait on the coronation gospels also shows the history of the time. It is during the period that people highly valued books (Janet, 1979). This is why the portrait shows an individual holding a book.
References.
Kleiner, Fred S. (2011). Gardner’s art through the ages: A global history, Volume I (13thed.). Boston
Backhouse, Janet (1979). The Illuminated Manuscript. Oxford: Phaidon Press Ltd., 1979
