Representation of 3d Space in Art - Report Example

Representation of 3d Space in Art. Space is defined as the extension of length, width and height infinitely in a field where all matter exists. Different aspects are used to analyze space in art works. They include linear perspective, aerial view, overlapping of objects and the distance of the image from the picture plane. Different eras represented space in different ways (Stella, 1986). Renaissance is well known for using perspectives to represent space. This is where space in a painting is made to look like it is diminishing towards a certain point. It is well expressed when buildings like villas are painted. Piazzas and palazzos are a common expression of space especially with Italian paintings (Stella, 1986). The renaissance period depended on the different European countries. It ranges from 1300-1602. The era has its origin in Florence, Italy and spread throughout Europe. Characteristics of Renaissance period in art include. Use of perspective - It can be linear or aerial perspective. Perspective gives a more realistic approach to space in paintings. Foreshortening – it is a painting technique where lines are shortened to give a sense of depth. Sfumato – it is a word introduced by Leonardo da Vinci. It involves blurring and softening edges of a painting to give a 3D dimensionality or an illusion of depth. Chiaroscuro – this is a technique where there is a contrast between light and darkness to get the 3D and depth illusion. This style was common with the Baroque period. Balance and Proportion – this entails painting with the consideration of the relationship of size between different objects to create reality in a painting. Most of the paintings in this era are based on Bible stories or Mythological stories especially in Greece. The paintings were common in churches or the houses of Kingdom rulers. Paintings had not become very portable and most of them were in form of sculptures. The Entombment is a painting of Jesus’ body being taken to the tomb. It was done to a panel in a church in Italy. Previously, there had been arguments on the real owner of the work as some people claimed that one of his pupils may have copied his style. It is however now recognized as Michelangelo’s work (Tyler & Ione, 2009).The painting shows Apostle John (in the red gown with long hair), Mary Magdalene (kneeling), Joseph of Arimathea (the balding, bearded man) and Salome. It has remained an unfinished painting (Stella, 1986). Reasons for its incompleteness has been placed on lack of blue paint that was expensive to produce and another reason stated is that the painter received a letter from his father instructing him to stop work on the painting. Michelangelo returned money to the church that had paid for his services. Mary mother of Jesus is shown kneeling in front of Jesus but she is part of the unfinished part of the painting (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). The painting has an aspect of aerial perspective. It was meant to be seen from below so that the people in it appear to be floating. Perspective is also where the image diminishes towards the hilly place (Stella, 1986). The space painted is a representation of a deserted place. There is no construction in the vicinity and it’s behind some hilly area. The incomplete nature of the painting brings difficulty in analyzing it. The most famous Renaissance painting is that of the Mona Lisa done by Leonardo da Vinci (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). Neo-classicism started from 1520 to around 1800 though in some places it extended to 1830. Baroque period falls in this era. Characteristics of Neoclassicism include (Stella, 1986). The paintings have simple backgrounds. The space is set like a stage and the main figures are well lit so that the people can focus on them. This period also focused on stories from the Bible, historical stories, of legends or stories with a moral background. The paintings focused on groups of people rather than a single human form. The paintings had a high level finish as the brush strokes were smooth. A lot of attention was paid to the facial expressions of those in the painting and general body language as the paintings is telling a narrative. These paintings were mainly accessible to the educated. This is a painting done in the Baroque period. It is based on the Biblical story of the super at Emmaus when the resurrected Christ appeared to two of his disciples and they recognized him during the meal (Stella, 1986).The setting of the space is that of a simple set up dinner table. The light is on the faces of the people as they are main focus of the painting and the darkness forms the shadows. The background of the painting is a simple wall. All the characters in the painting have facial expressions and body language that shows shock and disbelief. The painting is also of a group of people. All these are characteristics of neoclassicism (Tyler & Ione, 2009). This is a painting based on mythological power stories and of Greek legends. Phineas had been promised marriage to Andromeda who later agreed to marry Perseus after he rescued her from a sea monster. At the wedding, Phineas and his followers showed up and Perseus revealed Medusa’s head which turned them to stone with its magical powers. The painting applies Sfumato. The blurriness is seen in the collapsing people and Perseus and his people are shown in a softer clear way. The space shown here is the outer side of a building. The entrances to the building are well seen (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). Aspects of neoclassicism are seen in this painting. It has a simple background which is the wall of the building, it has a group of people, and their facial expressions are varied. Those in the opposing team have scared faces shown by the open mouths. The main faces are well lit including Medusa’s head (Stella, 1986). There was a transition period between Renaissance and Neoclassicism. This means characteristics of different eras can be noticed in one painting. During Renaissance and Neoclassicism, paintings were huge and not portable. They were therefore not found in people’s home as the art was done on stone or wood both of which are heavy to carry. After the Neoclassicism period, canvas was invented with the onset of enlightenment. Oil based paints started being made and having this two elements meant that painting were portable and easy to make. Painters increased in numbers and now people could own paintings or paint in the comfort of their homes (Tyler & Ione, 2009). Romanticism. The era took place between 1790 -1880. Gained popularity especially in German and France. This era emerged with enlightenment all over Europe with people fighting against Aristocratic and Monarchial rule. People started to learn of their rights and wanted to explore their environments and create new stories away from the legends and mythical creatures. Emotions like happiness and horror were explored more. Nude and semi nude paintings began to come up. There was liberation in the minds of painters (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). Romanticism era hit with a bang making all its paintings have distinct characteristic features unlike those that had mixed characteristics due to transition periods from renaissance to neoclassicism.Impressionism occurred in this era (Tyler & Ione, 2009). Characteristics of Romanticism era: The stories shifted from Biblical, historical or legend stories and moved to adventures and stories of faraway lands. The new stories were dramatic and exotic. Colors used in the paintings were dazzling as industries were mass producing different paints with different products. Dazzling lights were common in the paintings. Most of the paintings had blurred images. Claude Monet was a French impressionist. His works document the countryside of French and other areas he lived in. His aim was to use capture changing light and passing seasons in his paintings (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). In this painting it is clear that the narrative is of a far away land and not of people anymore as was the traditional paintings were. There is a lot of blurredness in the painting especially in the illustration of the buildings in the distance and the foreground is clear. There is light in the painting though not dazzling. The space in the painting is demonstrated as a river that people can laze in. There is little activity in the river as shown by the few boats. It gives a hint of the sunset in the background (Hockney,1987). Phillip Otto was a German Painter in the romanticism period. This is one of the paintings that clearly depict the characteristics of this era. The image itself is exotic; it is of cherubs which was a new phenomenon before this era. There are two frames to the painting and both have dazzling light mainly from above (Tyler & Ione, 2009). Colors used are glowing and bright. It is hard to know the narrative been explored. Because it is a new concept (Harvard, 2014). The space in the painting reflects on a heavenly place with peace and calm. It is also an imaginary place. There are lush green gardens and the image of a lake in the background of the main frame. The outer frame shows outer space like that of the moon. The whole space painted is utopian (Stella, 1986). Modern Art. This is the art era of the time between 1860 -1945, however there was a transition period from Romanticism to Modern Art that was from 1803-1854. End products of this art era are so close in look to photographs (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). Characteristics of modern art: Traditional painting practices were thrown out and replaced by experimentation. Abstract painting is the norm – there is no formal recognition of space. Interpretation of the narrative depends on the person looking at the painting. It is not pre-meditated by the painter. Finer and high level finishing of strokes and materials used. The paintings end up looking like photographs. Vincent van Gogh is a German founder of Modern art. Representation of elements in the painting are not clear like would be in traditional paint works (Tyler & Ione, 2009).A person looking at the painting cannot clearly identify the wheat if you the title is not read. The clouds are also represented in an experimental way away from what was previously the norm (Harvard, 2014). The space illustrated is that of a farm land on a warm calm day. Without the title, the painting can be interpreted as a rest ground in the middle of any place. This two type interpretations are common with Modern Art (Stella, 1986). Most of Modern art gives an illusion to the audience. There is no right or wrong way to interpret modern art. However, the issue of space in modern art is a concern to most traditional painters. Sometimes paintings in modern art are a maze or different pictures jumbled together (Emeritus &Preble, 2013). To conclude, Art work, and specifically painting, has evolved over a period of time. The fore fathers of art, which is inclusive of paintings and sculptures, can be said to be from Italy and Greece. The experts had pupils that they taught the art work. The students came up with their own style or perfected that of their teachers (Tyler & Ione, 2009). Each era had its characteristics and champions and its own expression of 3D space. The more art evolves the more the representation of space becomes blurred. In Renaissance, space was easy to identify as the paintings had to be in collaboration with the place they took place in to help the viewer identify with it. With modern art, space is hard to define and different individuals can come up with diverse interpretations (Tyler & Ione, 2009). Sometimes characteristics of a painting may be confusing especially when the painting is done in the transition stage of two art eras. However, Romanticism and Modern art have distinct characteristics. Introduction and spread of photography brought a change to how painting is done. More and more pictures are being done to look like photographs with increase in fineness of strokes and brushed plus smoother paints (Tyler & Ione, 2009). The different eras in the art sector occurred over different times around Europe. Renaissance, for example, started in Italy moved to Northern Europe, England, France, Germany, Hungary, and Netherlands, Poland and Portugal then the rest of Europe. Each country had its own narratives to display in the paintings (Stella, 1986). Countries that were rich in legend stories displayed most of that in the paintings while countries that were highly religious did a lot of paintings based on Biblical stories. Paintings have got popularity across the globe with many of the old paintings of famous artistes being placed in museums for the general public to view and most of these paintings are priceless (Tyler & Ione, 2009). References Emeritus, D. P., & Preble, S. 2013. Prebles Artforms, 10th edition. New Jersey: Pearson Publishers. Hockney, D. 1987. Thats The Way I See It. San Fransisco: Chronicle Books. Stella, F. 1986. Working Space. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Tyler, C. W., & Ione, A. 2009, September 23. The Concept of Space in the Twentieth Century Art. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from Art Investigations: www.ski.org Read More