Art 123 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Art 123 - Essay Example The theme is naturalistic. There is a spirit of expectation. Masaccio modeled his figures as solid as statues to be realistic, by using strong light in particular areas to give shadow effect in his figures, complying with the principle of Renaissance along with naturalism. The featured background is done with linear perspective of mountains and temple structure that is drawn symmetrically. Renaissance artists, writers and thinkers are said to have respect for order, symmetry and proportion. In addition to this are the realistic facial expressions of the figures. For example, the face of St. Peter, in his effort to bend over and take the money away from the fish's mouth, has turned red. At the right side, the tax collector is illustrated with a satisfied expression on his face while St. Peter hands him over the coin. The actions, gestures and expressions here are what real people express in given circumstances. Figures are dressed in Greek's fashion, in line with the biblical description of dress code during the first century, with tunics tied at the waist, and cloaks wrapped over their left shoulder, around the back, and clasped at the front. On the other hand, Caravaggio's The Calling of St. Matthew is a Baroque art, as evident by the visual representation of the painting itself, using exaggerated position of the figures which is a principle of Baroque art.