The famous painters and artist were instrumental in the early Netherlandish paintings in the 15th and 16th century. Their works are based on the International Gothic style that was used in the completion of their paintings. The painters had significant contributory advancements in the field of illusionism and complex iconography. They dwelled more on the areas of religious scenes and portraits that were consistent with mythological subjects. Spiritual ideals were among the central themes of the works of the painters however there were depictions of material and earthly well-being in their paintings. Van Eyck often used iconographic elements to depict the co-existence of materialism and the spiritual world (p.100). The artist usually used unobtrusive work to blend a revelation of spiritual revelations. Van Eyck was a believer that there was a relationship of the secular and sacred worlds. He created tensions through illustrations of earthly churches with heavenly symbols to indicate the relationship between the two. The Arnolfini Portrait also had tension that was indicated through the paintings in the form of complex texture clothing’s and it appears in all northern paintings. Van der Weyden was able to incorporate his symbols carefully through exquisiteness that his depiction of both the material well-being and spirituality can be clearly illustrated though it is well incorporated into the doctrines.
The Garden of Earthly Delights is a modern title that provides for three large tripytchs that are related and read from one end to the other-left to right- where each panel presents a distinct meaning from the other. The tripytchs inter-relatedness are linked as they provide information on history and faith. The tripytchs have several themes behind them that are important in the creation of the same and in the depiction of the meanings of the tripytchs.
One of the central themes that is being discussed is the theme on one’s humanity. Ones humanity and soul are key aspects that are indicated in the tripytchs. One’s soul and humanity can easily be foregone or lost in the process of indulging one’s self in earthly pleasures. Ones humanity can easily be lost once we indulge and abandon our will to possession of the realms pleasures. The imaginary paradise that is in the hell panel indicates the indulgement that people associate with and therefore one can get lost in the pleasures of the world. Another theme that is used extensively in the Garden of Earthly delights is the abandonment of temptations. The personalities are tempted by all manners of things as they romp with animals and are after oversized fruits. The power of earthly items leads to the individuals losing themselves to the pleasures of the world. The figures willingness to be lost into the earthly pleasures and are encouraged by evil that leads to their demise and punishment. The other themes are those of vices and virtues as they emphasize on morals and immoral behaviors in the world as the main focus of such characters is on earthly pleasures and not the spiritual world. Enigmas provided in the tripytchs is that of the basic meanings of the various tripytchs and their meaning on this world.
The painting in the Giovanni Arnolfini is filled with symbolic elements (Koster, p.3). Among the symbolic elements illustrated in the painting is the use of oranges that are strategically placed on the window sill and the lower table where they are representative of the innocence that was before they had sin. However if the fruits are representative of apples they indicate the fall of man due the temptation of gaining knowledge. Candle that is above the couples head is symbolic of a nuptial flame or the eyes of God. The foreground has a small dog that is a symbol of love and fidelity. A marriage bed that is present is indicative of the act of love which indicates the union between man and wife that is a perfect relationship.
The romans were considered as very barbaric individuals as they often involved in wars where they would plunder the cities which they conquered as well as their constant involvement in gladiator fights (Jones, p.279). The barbaric nature of the Romans was very evident as the gladiator fights were fought to the death. They were also enjoined in beast hunts chariot racing and naval battles. The Romans caused the death of large multitudes of people as they killed thousands especially during the reign of Cesar. Plays and pantomimes that were a constant occurrence among the roman people were often littered with violence. The romans often executed criminals in the process of the depiction of the plays in which they were involved in.
Slavery was among the worst forms of brutality exhibited in Rome as the slaves were constantly subjected to poor living and working conditions. Slave masters were in charge of bringing slaves to the country who were often captives of war. This formed a lucrative business for the slave masters though they were treated as inhumane beings while under their slave masters. In Roman law slaves were the property of their masters and were left at the will of the master. Punishments were not regulated and the slaves were subjected to all forms of punishments that included torture, beatings and also murder. The romans were barbaric in nature as they did not employ any restraint in inflicting pain thus they may be considered to have led a barbaric life.
Works Cited
Jones, William R. "The image of the Barbarian in Medieval Europe."Comparative Studies in society and history 13.04 (1971): 376-407.
Rothstein, Bret L. Sight and spirituality in early Netherlandish painting. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Koster, Margaret Lendia. "The Arnolfini double portrait: a simple solution."APOLLO-LONDON-APOLLO MAGAZINE LIMITED- (2003): 3-14.
