Christian Art Museum Analysis

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Pages: 11

As the museum’s curator I have decided to create an interactive timeline of paintings focused on the image of Christ, for the museum’s website. The image of Christ can be seen featured in many paintings throughout the history of art. According to Wikipedia (2010), “Christian art is sacred art produced in an attempt to illustrate, supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity, though other definitions are possible. Of the three related religions Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, Christianity is the only religion using images forbidden by Islam and Judaism” (para. 1). I want to celebrate His image on the website in honor of this Christmas holiday.
Fig. 1

1340

The Crucifixion

Pietro Lorenzetti

Tempera on wood, gold ground, original engaged frame

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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The painting uses red as the dominant color and the expressions on the faces of the subjects in the painting are heavily dramatic. Adding to the characteristic drama of art during this medieval period, are the exaggerations of features. This is evident in the intense spurt of blood coming from the side of Christ and the unnaturally distinct halos. In addition characteristic of this period is the gold gliding and the elaborate frame which, were intentionally included so that the piece may be used as an altarpiece or decoration in a church or chapel. During the medieval art period, most paintings were iconographic and religious hence the portrayal of Christ in this particular