Monday, 19 September 2011

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simon

High Renaissance 

6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564
Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, &
engineer
He’s the best documented artist of 16th century
Two of his best-known works, the Pieta and David
The Last Judgement & The Libyan Sybil (Sistine Chapel)
Fresco

The Creation of Adam

 


Principles of Design


Balance

Balance in design is similar to balance in physics. A large shape close to the center can be
balanced by a small shape close to the edge. A large light toned shape will be balanced by a
small dark toned shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be).
The force provided by second figure on the right and the raised leg of Adam adds tension
and balance to the painting. The figure of God and Adam brings formal balance.(same
amount of weight).

Repetition

Repeating visual elements such as line, color, shape, texture, value or image
tends to unify the total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm.
Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication (pattern), a near
duplication, or duplication with variety.
The picture of humans behind God is a form of repetition.

Contrast

Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements. Eg, opposite colors on the color wheel -
red / green, blue / orange etc. Contrast in tone or value - light / dark. Contrast in
direction - horizontal / vertical.
There is a color contrast, where there’s color green on Adams site whereas there’s red on
the other side.

Unity

Relating the design elements to the idea being expressed in a painting reinforces the
principal of unity. Eg, a painting with an active aggressive subject would work better with
a dominant oblique direction, course, rough texture, angular lines etc. whereas a quiet
passive subject would benefit from horizontal lines, soft texture and less tonal contrast.
Unity in this picture comes from all direction, the green cloth from Gods side, two figures
with same weight and the raised leg of Adam forms unity to this painting.

Elements of Design


Direction

All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness,
stability and tranquility. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness.
Oblique suggests movement and action.
There are no straight lines in this painting; most of them are curved line. There are few
horizontal and vertical lines.

Color

Primary color- Red & Green

Value

Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone.
Top left of the painting has darker colors.

Holy Family or Doni Tondo

 


The Principles of Design


Balance

The three figures in the middle are evenly balanced in a triangle.
The three main figures in dark colors are balanced with the nudes at the back with light
colors.

Repetition

The nudes at the back of Doni Tondo’s family are repeated. The lines and grasses are
repeated in this painting.

Contrast
The colors of the front figure are into darker colors compared to secondary figure at the
back of the family.

Dominance

Dominance gives a painting interest, counteracting confusion and monotony. Dominance
can be applied to one or more of the elements to give emphasis
The family dominates the painting.

The Elements of Design


Line

Horizontal, vertical and curved lines

Shape

The family is in a triangle shape and they are evenly balanced. The frame is ornately
carved and rather unusual for the five heads it contains which protrude three
dimensionally into space

Direction

The horizontal lines gives a pond like image to the painting.

Color

Use of primary & secondary color. The yellow used is very luminous because of the
shades.

Texture

The painting is made of tempera and oil paints so it gives a smooth touch to it.

Value

The mountains at the top of the painting have shades. This makes it to be darker at the
top compared to the lower parts of the mountains. As for the ground area where Virgin
Mary rest. There’s lighter green on the left side of her whereas dark green on her right.

Paintings by Michelangelo

The Last Judgement


The Crucifixion of St. Peter



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