Madonna Granduca Painting - Essay Example

Introduction The different portrayals of Madonna by Raphael from the 1500s depict different concepts associated with artistic works and the representation of spirituality from this time. The works of Raphael are able to show specific associations that presented the attributes of Madonna that were common for the spirituality of this time. The church associations as well as the depiction of society and culture are all represented in his different works. Madonna becomes a spiritual figure and mother as the main focuses and attributes that she holds. Madonna Granduca Madonna Granduca was painted in 1504 in Florence. It is painted with oil on wood and is the size of 84 x 55. The painting shows Madonna holding a baby in her arms. The background is black with the main focus on the baby, with Madonna as the secondary figure of the portrait. The hands of Madonna are holding the baby, with one arm under the baby and one on the stomach, with the presentation of the child on the side. This position is what provides the main focus to the child. The pose that Madonna has is facing the canvas and is in the middle of the portrait. Her head is slightly tilted to the side, which also points toward the child as the main figure. Her eyes in this particular portrait are closed and pointing downward, specifically to show a presentation of care for the child. The hand of the child is on the heart of Madonna, which shows the relationship between the two. The pose that is in this painting is able to show the sacredness of the child as well as the motherly figure that is a part of Madonna. The colors that are used with this painting also help with the association of the child as the main figure. The background being black helps to present the portrayal of the child. The contrast with the child is from the cream and peach texture and color that stands out as the brighter part of the picture. The Madonna is wearing a green robe and red dress, both which fade into the bottom part of the picture. The texture that is used with the colors is richer and shows a realistic aspect of the painting. By using these colors, the same depiction between mother and child and creates a focus on the child. The light direction that is used with the colors also points toward the child with the main lighting and shading on the central part of the canvas. The point where the child’s face is, as well as where he places his hand on Madonna’s heart, is the areas that are lightest. This is also used to create the theme of motherhood and to present the relationship between mother and child. The second portrait, Madonna of the Meadow shows the same presentation of motherhood. This piece was painted in 1505 and is oil on panel. It is currently in Vienna, Austria. The portrait shows Madonna as the central portrait in the middle of the painting. There are two children to each side of her, both which are holding a cross. The background shows a meadow and moves into a lake and mountains that are in the distance. The focus is on the spiritual aspects of Christianity as well as motherhood. The cross is the central point and focus of the piece. The Madonna is posed by sitting to one side and is holding one of the children as the child tries to walk. The child is holding the cross toward the top, while the second child holds the stick of the cross at the lower portion as he kneels on the other side. Both are looking at each other and Madonna is looking down at the cross, all which allow the cross to be the central point and which becomes the focus of spirituality. The colors and texture in this piece also represent the same concepts of spirituality. The background shading is lighter in texture and color with greens and browns that are used as the meadow. The further area of the canvas, with the lake and mountains, uses blues and whites that move into the sky, all which are used to create a subtle background. The lightness of this shading helps to accent the brown of the cross and the texture used by the main figures. The skin of the children is lighter, with cream colors and brown for the clothing. This also accents the brown of the cross that is being held. The clothing on Madonna is red with a blue robe, all which have richer colors and shading. The richer colors are able to surround both of the children so it can accent the cross and the idea of motherhood and innocence. Even though the brighter area is on the children, it helps to bring the focal point to the center of the cross, specifically because of the richer colors of Madonna’s clothing. These work together to show a representation of motherhood, spirituality within Christianity and the portrayal of the innocence of religion. The third piece, Sistine Madonna carries some of the similar attributes of the other two paintings. This painting was completed in 1514 and is 269.5 x 201 cm. It is currently in the Holy Sistine in northern Italy. The Madonna is the central figure in this portrait and is in the back area and central point of the canvas. Madonna is carrying a child through the clouds with the background showing two curtains on each side. To the left side of the canvas is a woman that is kneeling to one side. To the right side of the canvas is an elder man that is holding a hand to show the way to Madonna. The front, bottom area of the canvas has two angel children that are looking upward on the canvas. The man and the women are able to frame the main portrait of the Madonna as she moves through the clouds with the child. The angels at the bottom of the canvas work as a background image that is able to show where Madonna is going with the child. The eyes that are wandering in both directions work to move the eye back to the Madonna and the journey she is taking with the child. The colors that are in this particular piece are more realistic and are richer than the past pieces. The light that is in the piece is seen first in the background with a white wall that frames around the Madonna figure, as well as through the white clouds that she is walking on. The figure of the elder man is wearing a gold and white robe, which is also a lighter color. However, the lightness of this robe is able to frame the other areas of the picture and allow the depiction of the Madonna as the main figure, while the lightness of the robe becomes a background color. The woman that is kneeling to the side has a combination of blue, pink and green; however, these are also lighter in color and fade to the background. Both of these images are pointing to the front of the canvas and to the angels to depict the religious affiliations and the spirituality that Madonna is working toward with the child. The Madonna figure is wearing a blue and pink set of colors with a brown veil on top. These are the darkest colors in the picture, combined with the darker shading of the baby that Madonna is carrying. This contrasts with the lighter shading of the rest of the piece and helps to point out the Madonna as the main figure. The lighting is used as a symbol as Madonna walks toward the light while carrying the baby. The spiritual representation then leads to the understanding of the spiritual values of Christianity, as well as the role of Madonna as a spiritual leader and mother of the child as she saves them by walking out of the background and into the light. Conclusion Each of the figures of Madonna by Raphael creates a specific understanding of Christianity, spirituality and the ideas of motherhood. The ability to represent Christianity in this way, as well as the human attributes, creates a deeper connection and sense of revelation that is a part of the idea of Christianity. The spirituality that is a part of this creates a different response while I am viewing the pictures, specifically by creating an understanding and deeper meaning of what it means to progress within spirituality. There is also a deeper relation to the ideas of motherhood, specifically by Raphael’s depiction of Madonna as a mother that protects and helps the children with spiritual meaning and purpose. Read More