There have been many paintings of Madonna done by different artists. Among all these images, Madonna is illustrated using different artistic expressions and despite the difference in time, the paintings still hold some similarities; the differences also notwithstanding.
The great artistic works illustrate the possibility of having shared themes but expressing them differently. By analyzing the Madonna of the Meadow done by Raphael and Parmigiano’s Madonna of the Long Neck, it will be easier to develop a comprehensive comparison that will serve as a guide to understanding the paintings.
Raphael’s Madonna
Raphael’s Madonna is one of the most unique pieces of art. This is because the background is developed beyond the viewers’ expectations. The background is brought out under vast scenes and this even affects the intimacy of the foreground scene. As seen from the photo, the artists intended to pass a theme of protection.
The background, which was developed to contain several things, illustrates the impression of a city. There are many dangers and risks associated with the city. While the city is considered as the hub of developments, it is still a place understood for all the vices present.
Cities are associated with violence, unethical and immoral practices. The painting therefore develops a protection theme in which the mother is perceived to be protecting the children from the dangers of the city. The background is painted as an appealing and captivating scene, but the whitish cover illustrates the hidden issues behind the seemingly beautiful background.
Raphael was therefore in a position to capture the viewer’s attention by moving away from the limits of the studio and developing and involving real scenery. From the painting, Raphael is able to develop future predictions by drawing the baby John Kneeling before baby Jesus and holding out a cross.
It seems like a reflection of the things and experiences that were to follow and the cross was the sign to these things. It was therefore evident that the painting not only spoke about the present, but also the future and its activities.
Parmigianino’s Madonna
This painting dubbed Madonna earned its name from the elongated neck of the figure developed in the painting. This artistic work illustrates the Virgin Mary seated with baby Jesus and angels coming down to admire the baby.
In addition, the painting has the image of St. Jerome, a renowned worshiper of Virgin Mary. The painting has a relaxed and carefree posture, illustrating that the women are more at ease due to the presence of the angels. She is developed as an affluence woman who wore expensive and elegant clothing.
The woman developed by Parmigianino was exaggerated in most of her features. The neck is not the only elongated feature; she also has long fingers and shoulders. The painting therefore exaggerates on some important features bringing out the painting as elegant and carefree.
The woman appears to be relaxed and less concerned about her motherly responsibilities since there are possibilities of support from the angels besieging her. The angels are also characterized with lots of controversy. This is because the angels have been developed in such a way that some parts are suggestive.
While the angels are supposed to have the uttermost decency, the artist develops some erotic themes from the painting and this helps make the painting among the most controversial of the Madonna’s.
The background is also less emphasized and this brings out some aspects of imbalance. Rather than having a detailed and balanced background, the artist develops some aspects of imbalance and lack of proportion when utilizing the space to the background of the characters in the paining.
This helps to bring the viewers into understanding the ironical setting and the controversies in the painting. Rather than developing a balanced piece of art, Parmigianino generates a debatable and controversial painting.
Comparison
When Parmigianino’s Madonna is compared with Raphael’s Painting, several similarities and differences can be realized. Firstly, the characters are developed holding a baby. This illustration of a mother is well developed in all paintings and despite the differences in scenes, both of the paintings emphasize on developing a continuation of life.
In addition, these paintings have religious connections. Both of the women are illustrations of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is a key figure in the Christianity belief. There is an emphasis on the holy nature of the women in the paintings.
The paintings are however differing in many instances. While the first painting has a well developed background, the painting by Parmigianino is less emphatic on the background features. Raphael helps to develop a background that has a key role in developing the theme of the painting while Parmigianino embarks on developing the painting to illustrate the preferred theme.
The emphasis on the background is therefore different in the Madonna developed by Raphael and that developed by Parmigianino. While that done by Parmigianino is dim and unclear, that of Raphael is more clear, bright and easy to analyze.
The characters of the women also differ in both paintings. While Raphael’s painting develops a caring and down-to-earth persona, the painting by Parmigianino brings out a carefree and elegant woman. The noble nature of the woman painted by Raphael contrasts with the elegance and affluence illustrated in the woman developed by Parmigianino.
In addition, the decency of Raphael’s painting contrasts with the erotic emphasis developed by Parmigianino in his painting of Madonna with the long neck. There are also other contrasting features detectable in both paintings; while the painting by Raphael looks balanced and proportional, that by Parmigianino looks exaggerated in terms of some features like the neck, fingers and the shoulders. Raphael emphasizes on balance more that Parmigianino does and for this reason, both paintings differ a lot and generate different interpretations of the same character, Mary.
In conclusion, both paintings by Raphael and Parmigianino are illustrations of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. Irrespective of the differences in presentation, there is an aspect of motherly care developed from the manner in which the mothers hold their baby. In addition, the differences between them help in elaborating the different approaches to understanding artistic skills and religious beliefs.