HUMANITIES 1301
DR. PEGGY BROWN
PAINTING ANALYSIS
Compare and contrast the two crucifixion paintings
Pietro Perugino's "The Crucifixion with Saints" and Carlo Crivelli's "The Crucifixion"
Four steps to finding
the message in these works of art:
1. What do I see? (Description) combined with step 2:
the Analysis based on how each work is organized?
a. In a chart that shows both paintings, list all the things you see in the works and note how each is organized
·
Landscape?
·
Figures seen?
·
Lines of the horizon?
·
How does the artist treat the planes of the work—front
of the picture to the back of the picture
·
How are the vertical and horizonal lines and/or forms
of the figures arranged? Create a line
drawing to help you see the number of lines and the structure of each
painting. Does the number of lines
influence your emotional response to each painting?
·
Physical contact among figures. Even though the figures do not touch, does
the background serve to integrate the figures in any way? For example, look at the way St. John's
sweep of his red gown repeats the sweep of cloth on Christ's garment in the
Perugino. Does that repetition link
them? Look for other repeated or
connected lines. Also, look at the way
the clothes drape on all the figures—does this draping contribute to your
emotional response?
·
What hues (colors) are there and how saturated are they
(a color is saturated if its pigment gives vivid, not dull, colors)
·
What is the relationship of colors (for example, cover
the red robe of St John in Perugino's painting and see how the painting
changes)
·
Is the painting warm or cool? Does St. John's robe contribute to your assessment?
·
Red, yellow, and blue are all primaries and contain no
part of each other. The grouping of
colors that you see in one of the paintings will represent a balance of the
entire spectrum of color. Which one is
it? How does each painter use such colors (the artists would have been aware of
the impact of color) in the paintings?
·
What is the effect of light value in the paintings?
·
How does the use of space allow an analysis and
influence your feelings as you look at the paintings?
·
How does the use of texturing influence your emotional
response to the paintings?
b. Size of work and medium
·
Does the vertical format versus the horizonal (almost
square) format influence your interpretation?
·
Does it make a difference that you are seeing the
depiction of the crucifixion in painting rather than in stone or as a mosaic?
2. What is happening? And what is the
artist trying to say? (Interpretation) Write a paragraph that answers this
question.
a. Use your intelligence, imagination, and courage (your interpretation may
be different from others in the class). The following questions may help
in your analysis.
· How does the painter want you to feel about the subject matter?
· Are you invited into the painting or does its composition keep you at a distance? What effect does this have on you as a viewer?
b. Give a few details of the painting to back up your interpretation
3. What do I think of the work? (Judgment)
a. After you decide what the artist is trying to do, decide how well he/she accomplishes this communication. This assessment can appear in a single sentence.
b. Three methods of presentation can help you decide the artist’s intent:
1. Imitationalism: the artist imitates what we see in the real world 2. Formalism: the artist gives attention to the use of the elements of
art and principles of design.
3. Emotionalism: the artist focuses on creating a mood.
Note: these may overlap. Aside from what the artist intended, you may look at a painting of the crucifixion and like it because of the painting’s realistic presentation (imitationalism). Or you may look at the same painting and like it because of the light that illuminates the horizon and the planes of the horizon that roll gently in the background (formalism). A third person may like the painting simply because he or she likes the religious subject matter (emotionalism). These differences ARE NOT VALID UNLESS YOU EXPLAIN WHY you see things the way you do as THEY ARE PRESENTED IN THE PAINTING. This refined ability to communicate your ideas with facts that support your opinion, of course, improves your communication skills, an improvement that you will carry with you to your life outside the study of art.