Painting Styles Essay Sample

The first painting is that of the first couple (Adam and Eve) in the Garden of Eden just before the fall of man into sin. This painting was done in the 16th century by an Italian painter by the name Albrecht Durer. This painting has some characteristics of the northern renaissance painting style which appears to be part of baroque period of art history.
Looking closely at the characteristics of northern renaissance painting style and the painting itself, it appears that the painting perfectly fits in the baroque period of art history. The first element that makes this painting fit in the bracket is the author. The author travelled widely across the European continent and his work appeared to have been influenced by splitting of religious faiths into Catholicism and Protestantism.
The second trait that makes this painting a baroque product is its biblical origin. Adam and eve was the first couple as explained in the bible. Therefore, basing this painting on a biblical origin makes it communicate a religious theme of the first creation and the fall of man.
Another aspect covered in the painting is the color contrast. Though not very much vivid, it is clear and easy to pick out the human images from the background. It is also easy to differentiate the different elements in the background of the image.
There also is a great deal of emotion in the painting. This painting depicts that something might happen ranging from love to even a quarrel. This makes the environment to be full of tension which is one of the main traits of baroque paintings. From the name of the painting, tension is also sensed since the audience would like to know the reality and truth of how man fell into sin.
The second painting is presumed to have been made early 16th century (1502 -1504) by an Italian artist Michelangelo in the high renaissance era of painting style. This painting is used as a masterpiece of many artistic works in the same century and across the centuries.
.The original work was a marble sculpture originally made for religious purposes but as time passed by, its purpose changed to a symbol of defense. The masterpiece was conceived even before the actual artist started working on it. It was originally to represent prophet in the Old Testament and was put on the roof of St. Florence Cathedral but was later moved to a public square and civil seat as a symbol of defense.
Facial expression of the statute shows a lot of tension and a man who is ready to fight and emerge victorious. This makes it possible for the people to conclude that the sculpture which was taken to represent the biblical hero who killed Goliath shows a David who had not won the battle but was out to fight it.
Comparing the two paintings, the emotion is evident in both products. Though the emotions depicted are different, there exists a general aspect of emotion in both. In the first painting, the emotion depicted is tension which provokes curiosity in the audience. The second painting shows what the audience would like to see to satisfy their curiosity thus instead of provoking the audience, it satisfies its desire.
Closely examining the two, color schemes are different. The first painting on creation uses a color scheme which is not as sharply contrasting as in the second painting. This can be attributed to the two different styles of painting. Though both painting styles depict almost similar themes, high renaissance incorporates even secular themes on top of the religious themes. Northern renaissance on the other side appears to entirely deal with religious themes.
The high renaissance painting appears to have a good finish which may be done from a direct observation of the object being painted. This makes the painting to have provoking sharpness and attraction on the people looking at it. Northern renaissance painting on the other side tries to remain religious thus the idea f sharpness is not the key attraction. The image largely depends on imagination of the artist thus a direct observation aspect is absent.
In conclusion, the two paintings appear to have different painting schemes. The first painting employs the dry fresco painting technique. This makes the color be dull and cool thus not highly attractive. This contrasts with the second painting which appears to be based on wet fresco technique which provides a high quality painting.