Virgin Mary Paintings example essay topic

The Assumption of the Virgins I walked through the halls of the Art institute, I saw many paintings and sculptures. One painting that stood out the most was called, "The Assumption of the Virgin", by El Greco. As I stood in front this huge painting I was trying to figure out what was going on in the painting. Right away I could tell that oil was used to paint this portrait because there was a shine on the painting.

I refused to read the description of the painting until I came to a conclusion. I stood there trying to figure out what was taking place in and if I was able to recognize anyone. On the top part of the painting I could point out the angels and the women in the middle, at first glance I could tell that the women was Virgin Mary. As I was view the bottom part of the painting, I noticed that the men seemed confused as if they didn't know what was going on. Viewing this painting in person seemed very different from viewing painting online. I could clearly see how the artists used colors to make this painting stand out, and how he was able to show two scenes in one painting.

Interviewing the artist. Mr. Greco, I understand that you painted this portrait in 1577. It was your first major commission when you arrived in his adopted country of Spain after training in Italy. It was commissioned for the central panel of the high altar of the church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo in Toledo. I have done a little research on your work and it seems like you like doing religious paintings, paintings that might the viewer a story. You seemed to be very interested in Renaissance Art, and your style of painting also resembles Renaissance art.

You decided to do this painting for the Church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo. I decided to examine your painting because it stood out the most. The first thing that caught my attention was the choice of colors you used in your painting. The colors seemed very bright, I didn't see many dark colors in the painting and by dark colors I mean black, something that shows sadness.

The clarity in your painting was absolutely fabulous. I have seen many painting where the artist seems to hide images. A lot of paintings seem to open up more when you see them more then once, but your painting seemed very clear. I could see that there was more than one thing going on your painting. The thing that seemed to amaze me about this painting was that you were able to create two different scenes within this painting. I saw many painting in the art museum but yours seem to stand out the most because it left me guessing.

I was having a hard time trying to figure out the message you were trying to convey. I could see that the woman in the middle was Virgin Mary. The reason I thought she was Virgin Mary was because the way she was dressed. She seemed to be dressed in simple clothes, nothing fancy. I have seen many Virgin Mary paintings and she is shown wearing clothes like these in almost all of her paintings. I could see that she is rising from her tomb and floating towards the sky, she seemed to be greeted by angels, which I think symbolizes her holy stature.

The angels seem to be very pleased to be in her company. We could see that she was standing on the moon. I did not understand the reason she was standing on the moon. On the bottom I could see that there were at least 12 men who seems to be confused with something. I was having a hard time trying to figure out who those men were. At one point I thought those men were the Apostles but for some reason I decided to disregard that thought.

One of the men is pointing towards the sky as if he is guiding the other man and showing him where Mary is. The remaining men in the picture seem to be talking among themselves. What I really think you were trying to show in this painting is the night Virgin Mary died. On the bottom she is shown rising from her tomb and floating towards the sky. We can see some of the men looking towards the sky as if they were amazed with what they were witnessing.

On the top part of the painting, Mary seems to be standing on a moon above clouds with angels who are pleased to be in her company. The angel being around her stereotypes her as holy. Now I would like to ask you to tell me what you were trying to convey in this painting? "I divided my canvas into two zones, an earthly sphere of apostles and the heavenly sphere of angels. The apostles, arranged in a circle, turn toward each other in amazement and confusion. Above, angels express their joy.

Mary rises from her tomb on a crescent moon, a symbol of her purity. Although she has almost completely entered the divine realm, the hem of her dress falls lightly over the crescent, connecting her to earth. He divided his canvas into two zones, an earthly sphere of apostles and the heavenly sphere of angels. (Art institute of Chicago) "What would you say is the style of your painting is and what are some different things that you have shown in this painting you think is unique?

"My work is an example of the Mannerist style-in which figures are elongated, cloaked in ample drapery, and twist and turn dramatically. The narrative of the Assumption unfolds through the emphatic gestures of the characters: the praying hands of the angels, the outstretched arms of the Virgin, the pointing finger of the apostle, and the gracefully upturned palm of the unidentified man to the left, which is emphasized by a break in the clouds. My use of flickering, high-keyed colors and broad brushwork further lend the work an ecstatic feeling sought after by Catholic Church patrons during the Counter-Reformation. I used such bold colors and figural arrangements to arouse a spiritual fervor in the viewer and impart the deep sense of faith he himself felt. (Art Institute of Chicago) ".