Giovanni Bellini was an acclaimed and distinguished artist of 15th Century Europe. Of Italian descent, and more specifically from Venice, Giovanni Bellini was a prominent and celebrated artist during an era of history where visual arts took center stage, the Renaissance Era. He was best known for his… “unique religious and emotional unity of expression. His method of using oil paint brought not only a greater maturity but an individual style. He achieved a certain richness by layering colors in new and varied ways” (Pioch). Giovanni Bellini was a student and teacher of art, and by founding the Venetian School of Art, he would bring the city Venice to prominence in the art world, rivaling Florence and Rome. Many art historians claim that he was perhaps the greatest of his time.
In the middle of his life, the later years of the 1480s, Bellini created the masterpiece that is being analyzed in this report, Madonna and Child. Further research citied in the Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Volume 3 No. 10 October 1908) has further discussion into the work's date by stating; “As it is painted in oil it is not likely that it can be earlier than the early part of the seventies of the fifteenth century” (R.E.F 181). The article further explores series of paintings by Bellini during the time and precisely dates the piece to late seventies of the fifteenth century. “This beautiful picture was painted in the late 1480s and in its rounded forms, diffuse lighting, employment of a viscous oil medium, and innovative, asymmetrical composition it looks ahead to the work of Giorgione and Titian, who Bellini taught” (MetMuseum.org). The painting's medium is oil on wood, with its dimensions being 35 x 28 in. (88.9 x 71.1 cm).
[...] Evaluation Personally, growing up as a Catholic, this work of art speaks volumes to me and the religion I knew as a child and young adult. The grandiose posture of Mary discloses the significance of her role in the Catholic faith. With her being the centerpiece of the art with Jesus only being in a baby in her hands tells the story of Jesus' reliance on His mother thus communicating her substantial influence worthy of veneration in the Catholic Church. [...]
[...] Similar to the contrast of the land, the skies also contrast each other with deep dark blue sky above what appears to be a sunrise below. In the hands of Madonna (Mary) is baby Jesus. Matching the ivory white complexion of Madonna, Jesus has an impeccably beautiful skin, yet, opposite of Madonna the baby Jesus seems to be making a facial expression. The baby Jesus seems to have a sense of awe, wonder; or a facial expression matching that of admiring something or someone. [...]
[...] "The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Madonna and Child." The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Madonna and Child. N.p., n.d. Web Mar A Madonna and Child: By Giovanni Bellini R. E. F. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin , Vol No (Oct., 1908) , pp. [...]
[...] ( 88.9 x 71.1 cm). A common title or theme that is found in many pieces of art from the Renaissance Era is the name and image of Madonna. A strong impact and influence, the essence and source of funds, and the house in which many of the paintings, sculptures and other forms of art all stem forth from their vine, the Catholic Church. With that understand in mind, Madonna depicts the Virgin Mary and is translated in Latin to lady”. [...]
[...] The scenery of life and death is also stunning in my eyes as it literally paints the picture of new life in Christ. Bibliography R. E. F. Madonna and Child: By Giovanni Bellini” The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin , Vol No (Oct., 1908) , pp. 179-182 Published by: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Article DOI: 10.2307 /3252549 Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3252549 Pioch, Nicolas. "Bellini, Giovanni." WebMuseum: June 2006. Web Mar http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/bellini/ Humphrey, Peter "Bellini and Landscape," ed., The Cambridge Companion to Giovanni Bellini, Cambridge pp. 167–81). [...]
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