The Adoration Of The Magi: A Comparative Analysis

Artists tend to produce creative masterpieces that often overlap in characteristics. Having a focal point on a religious event both, Francesco Fontebasso and Biagio Bellotti, underline the importance and benefits of religion through the use of unnatural lighting and the presence of holy spirits. While Fonttebasso adds clearness to his work in the dramatic and emotional scene of The Adoration of the Magi, Bellotti adds unstable composition and unnatural detail to create an animated environment in A Miracle of Saint Dominic. While Fonttebasso and Bellotti’s artwork depict different events, they both share commonalities. The emphasis of religious figures in both art pieces highlight the role faith influenced artists in the 18th century. In Fonttebasso’s
In The Adoration of the Magi, an influence of Greek and Roman art is seen with the individual peeking out of the door. With the heavy build and emphasis on muscle and strength, Fonttebasso shares a relationship with the Greek and Roman’s interest in the human aesthetic. The detail of his body also underlines the naturalistic style of the piece. Along with the fine and sharp lines of the clothing, the clarity of the painting brings the audience a sense of relation as the scene is be realistic and crisp. Fonttebasso focus on detail adds emotion to the scene as each character’s face reveals the interest and admiration towards baby Jesus. Fonttebasso painting is also multicultural as it includes a dark skinned individual and camels, an animal that is not native to western civilization. Furthermore, the painting provides the viewer with a sense of presence in the event as the camel in the background looks onwards towards the spectator. This cannot be seen in A Miracle of Saint Dominic as the audience is given an omnipresent view. Fonttebasso adds fine detail and clarity to invoke the audience into the painting so they may experience the event along with the rest of the
With the draperies being very brittle and geometrical, the artificial qualities represent the mannerist style. Instead of clarity and an attempt towards real life depiction, Bellotti adds flair and stylizes the piece. This can also be seen in the animal. The horse looks comical as it smiles and shows its teeth to the crowd in front of it. In addition, the composition of the painting is random and unstable, unlike the centered focal point in The Admiration of the Magi. When viewing the painting, the eye races and there is no distinction that attracts attention. However, as the eye continues it slowly begins from the chaotic bottom to the top in a pyramidal scheme. This strange composition takes time to follow, but ends towards the angel and the cloud. The composition helps enforce the importance of the religious figures as the eye ends at the sky. Both Fonttebasso and Bellotti highlight the ideas of religion, but with different styles and depictions. Whether it’s a means of expression or a method to get inspiration, art influences society