SURPRISE!! I am enrolled in an art history course I took as a freshman long long ago. In a city far away. Today was my first assignment and I *get to* practice formal analysis. It's not often I walk through my house acting as if I'm in a Woody Allen film critiquing fine art at the MET, but here is my long awaited chance, to hone my art speaking skills and categorize thoughts into coherent writing.
Medieval Art: Shrine of the Virgin, ca.1300, German; Made in the Rhine Valley, oak, linen covering, polychromy, gilding, gesso; Sculpture, Wood. Dimensions: Open: 14 1/2 x 13 5/8 x 5 1/8 in. (36.8 x 34.6 x 13 cm) Closed: 5in. (12.7cm) Other (figure of Christ): 9 5/8 × 3 13/16 × 1 9/16 in. (24.5 × 9.7 × 3.9 cm) The Shrine of the Virgin combines sculpture with illumination using the pictorial arts to represent a christian narration of the nativity. It was created in the Rhine Valley, of modern Germany around the year 1300 A.D. The shrine which was most likely used for devotional purposes also represents the Incarnation, God taking on human form in body, uniting the divine, holy spirit, and human nature (Jesus). This is a rare altarpiece which stands a little over 13 inches, with its intricately illustrated modular wings that open and close to either represent the Virgin Mary or Virgin, God, and the early story of Jesus’ life. When the shrine is closed it represents the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. The form of Mary and Jesus is compact and slightly heavy. The sculpture was carved from a tree limb or log as can be observed from the bottom of the piece. The shrine is a sculpture in the round (and inside), although intended to be viewed primarily from the front, not much detail is added to the back of the piece only the veil upon Mary has been given attention. Mary’s human proportions are realistic but possess a slightly elongated neck, a rigid upright position (the position of Mary’s breast for example) with a square or boxy appearance are common elements in the Gothic period. Mary, Jesus, and God all have drapery that has depth, defined "v" shapes, and distinction but is less flowy than what would come later in the Renaissance period. The texture in Mary’s gown and God’s robe is intended to be smooth and gilded with gold to represent the divine. Carved details represent adornment and embellishment such as Mary’s crown, robe, and slippers, to symbolize the intended nobility of the Messiah. The illumination of the shrine when the “wings” of the altarpiece are opened narrate the Annunciation, the Nativity, the gifts of the Magi, the presentation, and the boy Jesus at the temple. It illustrates the major events of Jesus’ early life as recorded in the bible. In the illumination the scale is relatively the same throughout the narration of the depiction of people and the linear painting uses a limited reference to perspective. A few compositional elements, like the window in the Nativity and Joseph behind the bed, help to define space and depth. The angular characters of the narrative are placed in a contemporary setting of the Gothic period and not of biblical times. The tilted head posture of the figures in the illumination represent the adoration of the divine as well as the halos that encircle their heads. The subtle but angular carving of the drapery in the sculptural Mary, Jesus, and God and of the illuminated painting of the narrative early life of Jesus represents the Gothic style in the depiction of the figures, form, and design. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/464142?searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&deptids=17&high=on&ao=on&ft=*&offset=40&rpp=20&pos=44
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AuthorI have a passion for the visual arts and love sharing it with others. I have enjoyed teaching all ages and love to incorporate art history and traditional disciplines as well as innovative ideas. Art is vital to who I am as a creator and educator. Archives
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