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Museum Paper

1.

Why did you choose these two art works?

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- Michelangelos Creation of Adam and Dionisiis Enthroned Mother of God with Saints represent two styles with the same theme: Religion, a subject that is seen through art works even today. It caught my attention to see how both painters were under the influence of the communion by painting two exceptional stories found in the Bible. Both have historical importance to me since they are mirrors to societys beliefs at that time. 2. What was their purpose? - Throughout the Renaissance, many religious paintings were made to show the greatness of the church sometimes commissioned by the pope himself (For example, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelos work in the Sistine Chapel) Notwithstanding, I am fascinated by the artists real (or hidden) purposes. In the Creation of Adam, the apparent observation is god creating the first man, Adam. However, would it have been Michelangelos message to god begging for salvation? By studying Michelangelos life, I realized he considered himself to be a religious man with many sins: He often found himself angry, and never had a good relationship with his brother. But that doesnt surprise me at all! Throughout the Dark Ages and the end of the Renaissance, the government was literally the Catholic Church. As the majority was illiterate, people never

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questioned the church or the teachings of the bible. Michelangelo and his Creation of Adam were not the exception. Unless Thou show to us Thine own true way, No man can find it: Father! Thou must lead (Michelangelo Buonarroti, To the Supreme Being). The painter believed in heavens, hell, and the greatness of god, and the painting was a reflection of it. Little is known about Dionisii, or commonly known as Dionysius the Wise. However, most of his paintings contemplated the same message and purpose. This particular small painting, Enthroned Mother of God with Saints is no different than the purpose of Creation of Adam. In a way, its also saying that nobody surpasses the greatness of god. He is the creator, and he is the only one who can make a virgin bear a child. In the painting, we can also see various saints as if they were venerating the virgin and her son. Again, commanding the viewer to admire gods absolute power. 3. What was their function in the culture or time period chosen for this

assignment? - The function of both paintings at that time was no more or less than religious representations. They told the commoner what should be their role in society. These served as reminders that god and the church were top priorities in the normal life of a common citizen. That was one of the ways the Catholic Church

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used to control people. In other words, the function of these paintings was to tell the viewers of that time period how to function in society the only way to go to heaven is through the church. 4. How are both art works the same? -Although these art works were made by very different artists, they share a common goal: To emphasize and exhort the belief in a higher power, and that god is the creator of all things Adam, the virgin, the child, and everything else; without him, none of those things would have been possible. Also, both decorations were made in the same time period. 5. How are both art works different? -These compositions have more differences than similarities; the obvious one: style. Dionysius the Wise was very aware of Renaissance art. As a proof of that, he created a style that is known today as Muscovite Mannerism. Nevertheless, even at the end of his life in the early sixteen century, he continued to paint in the Byzantine style. Enthroned Mother of God with Saints follows those characteristics even though we dont see the common tilting of the heads. Michelangelos Creation of Adam belongs to the High Renaissance style, which is characterized by creating the appearance of three-dimensional space, and a better understanding of human anatomy. Also, Dionisii used tempera and gold in smaller dimensions, and

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Michelangelo used the buon fresco technique in an eighteen by nine feet panel. In addition to that, at the time of making the art works, Michelangelo was significantly more aggressive. Hes paintings were more energetic than Dionisiis. 6. How does the art works meaning or message change, once you consider its

placement within a museum? -An art works meaning is constant. Art transmits the feelings or messages of its creator. Therefore, in order to change its connotation, we would need to go back in time to change the author, and that is impossible. It doesnt matter its location! It is as it is, and nobody can alter the way its perceived. 7. What did you learn from your visit to the museum? - Before I visited the museum, I thought that a time period in art meant that every single artist painted in the same style. However, Enthroned Mother of God with Saints was a contradiction to everything I believed. I realized that even though Michelangelos works were part of the High Renaissance style, other artists like Dionisii were still painting in the Byzantine style. I also assumed that the Renaissance time period consisted of the best compositions and the highest level in painting techniques. Nevertheless, in order to make a good painting, perfection is not a requirement at all. Both of the paintings I chose are good, and represent their time period in their own unique ways.

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Art Works Page

Michelangelo Creation of Adam 1511 1512 Painting Buon Fresco 18 X 9 feet Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican, Rome Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican, Rome

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Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican, Ro

Dionisii Enthroned Mother of God with Saints Early 16th century Painting Tempera and gold over gesso and cloth on carved limewood panel 32 X 17 inches Russia, Moscow school Texas, Menil collection museum

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Works Cited: "To the Supreme Being, by Michelangelo Buonarroti." Poetry Archive | Poems. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <http://www.poetryarchive.com/b/to_the_supreme_being.html>.