Sienese Paintings and “The Hours of Etienne Chevalier” Research Paper

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Introduction

The artwork analysis is associated with analyzing the diversity between explicit expressions and the lines organizations of the targeted art. For instance, there are many forms of artwork in different parts of the World that need to be addressed and analyzed to draw the practical meaning of the art in the end. In this case, the analysis will be based on two main paintings from known personalities and the intentions of their works to the community. One of the artworks is the Sienese paintings by Giovanni di Paolo. The other artwork posted for analysis is TheHours of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet which expresses a clear analysis of the role of the Holy Spirit in protecting humanity from demons. The two artworks, both portray the theme of holy ghost in protecting the humanity from the work of evil and also the wrath of God for those against His word.

Sienese Paintings by Giovanni Di Paolo

Sienese painting is believed to be a masterpiece that combined both the visionary effects and the descriptive details of the famous Giovanni di Paolo, formulated in 1445. The image shows the vision of Paradise, reminiscent which is detailed by the great Florentine poet Dante in “The Divine Comedy.” The World is portrayed as a celestial globe, with the World placed in the middle and surrounded by patterns of colors representing the planet’s four main elements (Cicuzza, 2018). The color bands are believed to represent some of the core elements of the earth, including the sun, which is drawn from medieval and Renaissance cosmology. There is also the reflection of the image of the Zodiac. Finally, on the top of the World and the planet, there is a reflection of the Supreme Being who is viewed to oversee the creation; in this context, it is God the father.

The artwork by Giovani di Paolo has contributed to understanding the biblical histories among the Christian believers across the World. According to the biblical context, the supernatural being is viewed as glowing in celestial light, showing that He is the light of the World. Besides the map of the World there are three human beings in the garden of Paradise. The garden is believed to be the Garden of Eden as it is postulated in the biblical concept (De Hamel, 2021). The garden is seen to be fertile and productive; this symbolizes the imminence of a state of purity and sinless before the fall of humanity.

Adam and Eve are viewed in the artwork as been expelled from the garden by an Angle in human form. They are naked, which symbolizes a deep passion for sin that humankind had portrayed upon sinning against God and they ultimately fell from the grace of the Lord God. The artist made this artistic work reflecting the characters in the current society. People are still suffering due to the deeds they executed in their previous days; hence, drawing the suffering from the biblical concept presented in the artwork by Giovani di Paolo.

The Hours of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet

The Hour of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet is one of the famously known pieces of artwork presented between 1452 and 1460. It is also lavishly illuminated in the fifteenth century, reflecting the God the father protecting the faithful people against the demons. The painting was done mainly for the treasurer of great France for his continued support and panelling of the painters throughout their work (Mascolo, 2018). The works of the painting represent the opening words utilized in the evening prayers, which symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit. The artwork shows a congregation of believers kneeling and praying. It portrays the humility of the believers who are willing to be attended upon by the Holy Spirit. In the artwork, also, in the sky, there is a reflection of a light coming from above; this would mean that the Holy Spirit protects the righteous from being misled by demons or evil spirits (Mascolo, 2018). The images of those in the congregation show that faithfulness will not be let suffer and harmed by the evil spirits or by the demon.

The demons are viewed looking upon the hand of the Lord God, calling Him for protection as the demons flee to the left hand. However, the subject behind the fleeing of the monsters is unusual since it is only topographically accurate, drawn from medieval Paris, the cathedral of Notre Dame, and the entire Roman Catholics believe and highly recognize it (Zimmer, 2018). It is imperative to understand that there are visual elements in the artwork that can be used to relate to what typically happens in the current setting in the society. Most people believe that when they congregate and worship, they are in the safer hand of the Lord God to protect them from being attacked by demons. Others do not believe that they have their notion of life. In this case, the paintings by Jean Fouquet show that the majorities in this context believe in God for protection from the demons as the image portrays.

Compare and contrast the works of art. What is similar, and what is different?

In the Sienese painting by Giovanni di Paolo, there is a keen reflection on the matters related to the biblical concept and the fall of humanity. It reflects the images of the Lord God, Adam and Eve, and the Holy Spirit. It also reveals the World where human beings were sent to after sinning against the Lord God. The two works of painting have the image of the Lord God, and He is viewed to dominate in both artworks.

However, the two paintings have been believed to contrast significantly. TheHours of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet shows that the Lord God is protecting His people from evil spirits so that they should not suffer. On the other hand, the Sienese painting by Giovanni di Paolo did not protect Adam and Eve from being deceived by the Serpent; instead, it is viewed that He is instructing the Holy Spirit to chase them from the Garden of Paradise. The two had also differed from the fact that the Sienese painting by Giovanni di Paolo is believed to reflect on the matters that happened before humanity since Adam and Eve were the first human beings on this planet. At the same time, theHours of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet shows that the events took place after humanity was established and people had come to embrace the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, and Demons.

Artistic Works Choices and the Culture they portray

It is imperative to note that the two artistic works emanate from different cultural and societal settings. For instance, theHours of Etienne Chevalier by Jean Fouquet seeks to address the believers, especially in medieval Paris, from which most of the Catholic believers hail. I believe the artist made such a choice in addressing individuals on the matter to respect and think that there is God who can protect His people from evil spirits and Demons. On the other hand, the Sienese painting by Giovanni di Paolo reflects the enlightening the society on the fact that they are sinners and they should confess for forgiveness (Liu, wang, Sinatra, Glies, Song & Wang, 2018). Additionally, the artistic work keeps on reminding us of the fall of humanity and reminding us that we should be willing to go back to the creator through praying and confessing. Therefore, the two artistic works are bound to foster effective learning on how each individual should relate to each other in society to be embraced by the virtues of their creator. Additionally, the artistic works remind us that we should be in line with the cultures and devotions to act as per the will of their creator.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the artistic works are appealing and significant in my study. I found them appealing because they are artistic by themselves since what they show can be debated and bring a sense of art. These artworks reflect the biblical concepts, making them credible for analysis and understanding since most people have a clue about the Bible and God and Holy Spirit. These artworks are also imperative since they enlighten society on the impending wrath of God if they fail to confess their sins and warn people against doing wrong deeds.

References

Cicuzza, C. (2018). Thai Manuscripts in Italian libraries: Three Manuscripts from GE Gerini’s Collection Kept at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”. Manuscript Studies, 2(1), 4.

Liu, L., Wang, Y., Sinatra, R., Giles, C. L., Song, C., & Wang, D. (2018). Hot streaks in artistic, cultural, and scientific careers. Nature, 559(7714), 396-399.

Mascolo, M. M. (2018). Jean Fouquet. Nuova Informazione Bibliografica 15(2), 317-319.

Zimmer, D. (2018). Between art tourism and ‘Protestant pilgrimage’: individual journeys to artworks in two churches of Reformed denomination near Bern, Switzerland. Culture and Religion, 19(4), 361-375.

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