Renaissance means rebirth or the beginning of something new. This was the period between 14th and 16th century (Levey 56). The period is depicted to have been the beginning of modern development in the fields of knowledge and has contributed so much in modern history.
The period occurred in different phases as is depicted in the works of art produced in that period. Raphael Sanzio da Urbino’s painting of flesco galatea represents the high renaissance, a climax of the early renaissance period (Janson, H and Janson, A 112). This was a period when ingenious works of arts were produced by exemplary painters and artists. Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi who was simply referred to as Sandro Botticelli was an early renaissance painter who produced the master piece Birth of Venus.
Despite the differences in the period within which these two paintings were produced, there are so many similarities between the two. While galatea was painted on fresco and The birth of Venus painted on an oil canvas, they both seem to be very secular and do not represent reality as such. The figures in the two paintings are presented in their nudity and are in between gods and humans.
In the aspect of presentations, the two art works have both emphasized on the use of color to bring out the figures clearly. Botticelli though has used light more efficiently than Raphael to emphasize on the appearance of his figures. His figures therefore appear more vivid and clearer. The two paintings have both employed the use of fine lines to elaborate on the shape of the paintings’ images. Lines have especially been used to bring out the fine shapes of the images.
Last but not least, the paintings seem to represent a similar theme. There is an element of aggression on the two works signifying a similar theme. All in all, the paintings are superbly presented and require detailed scrutiny and analysis.
Works cited
Janson, Horst Woldemar and Janson, Anthony. History of Art: The Western Tradition. New
Jersey: Prentice Hall Professional, 2004.
Levey, Michael. Early Renaissance. New York: Penguin, 1967.
