Week Xiv The Cult Of The Virgin

Both art pieces can be understood by looking at the reality of the sculpture. In the first art piece made of oak, it is obvious that the sculptor was trying to create a more orderly and symbolic piece rather than depicting true reality. The faces show no emotion whatsoever therefore making the sculpture more static and unnatural to the viewer. In the second art piece made out of gilded silver however, the sculpture tries to bring a real life pose to the sculpture, by showing the true affection between Mary and her child Jesus. This is emphasized by the extension of Jesus arm and the tilt of Mary s head. The reality of the second art piece is further shown in the use of no symmetry or order whatsoever. In real life there is no true symmetry. The Virgin and Child in gilded silver is a more accurate description of representing the figures in a way that is closer to how Mary and her child Jesus really would act in real life. The Virgin and Child in oak however, uses a more orderly and straightforward representation of the scene.

Both art pieces can be understood by looking at the period and patron they are from. In the first artwork made of oak the sculptor uses the same face for both Mary and her child Jesus. This can be explained because this sculpture is from the Romanesque period from 1150 to 1200 AD. The sculptor of this artwork used the polychrome paint to cover the sculpture, because in the Romanesque period they were supposed to make things plain and not colorful. During the Romanesque period, the emphasis on the majority of Christian artworks was to keep everything the same, orderly and plain. You see this similar facial pattern in the majority of the sculptures and painting from this period. This explains why symmetry plays such a key role in this sculpture. This is further shown if you examine the pattern on the cloth worn by Mary and her child Jesus. All throughout the sculpture it uses the same repeating pattern in the shape of the letter S . This main S pattern creates a foundation for the symmetry in the art piece. From the S pattern everything is created in the art piece. Its this kind of order that the sculptors from the Romanesque period commonly used. In the second artwork made of gilded silver however, the sculptor uses a more accurate and real life depiction of the scene of Mary and her child Jesus. The sculptor of this artwork covered it enamel because the rich golden surface is enlivened by the jewel-like colors of the enamel. This can be explained because this sculpture is from the Gothic period in 1339 AD. During the Gothic period, sculptors were more open to depicting a more accurate and true depiction of real life. To do this they were allowed to use unique colors to represent real life. Everything also didn t have to follow specific symmetrical guidelines. At this period of time they were returning to the old Greek ideals of individuality and motion. This is shown in the bodily differences between Mary and her child Jesus. It is also shown in the use of the rippled cloth to show movement and motion in the sculpture.

Both the art pieces use different styles to convey a message to the viewer but are depicting the same overly idealized scene of Mary and her child Jesus. The first artwork uses techniques from the Romanesque period, while the second artwork use techniques from the Gothic period. In the first artwork made of oak it uses a more plain and straightforward message of humbleness and virginity to the viewer. It uses plain soft colors emphasized by the polychrome paint. It uses no facial expressions whatsoever and uses the same exact face for both Mary and her child Jesus. In the second artwork made of gilded silver it uses a non-direct and real life message of motherly love and tenderness to the viewer. This art piece shows and emphasizes the affection between Mary and her child Jesus. It uses unique colors emphasized by the enamel making the viewer awe in its beauty and elegance. It uses the ripples in the cloth to show motion and shows a more accurate depiction of facial expressions between Mary and her child Jesus.

This makes it hard to determine which in the end does a better job at conveying the message to the viewer because they are both from different periods and patrons. The Virgin and Child in gilded silver gives a more accurate and real life depiction of the scene of Mary and her child Jesus. The Virgin and Child in oak however, uses a more direct and plain way to convey the message to the viewer. So in the end both these sculpture are masterpieces from their period.