Mary Doria Russell

This is a small statue placed in the end of the European art exhibition area at Art Gallery Ontario, named Saint Sebastian. Using ivory as material, this statue looks bright and white under the light of the gallery; however, if people look closer, they can observe the lines of the ivory all over the statue. Viewers would first be attracted by the statue’s expression and position. The expression and position of Saint Sebastian is extremely vivid and real. Firstly, his expression is very dramatic.…

Summary of the Performative Icon Article The Performative Icon article is about icons in Byzantium society. The Byzantium icons allowed the viewer to utilize all five of their scenes to engage with the icons. Additionally, the Byzantium icons were not thought of as paintings, but as of imprints. Everyone’s experience with the Byzantium icons were different depending on their movement and through their own personal experiences with worshipping, therefore the icon is always changing depending on…

To Carmelites, the miracle of the wheel breaking could be seen as Gods reward of a painless martyrdom to Catherine for her years of devotion, countless conversions, and steadfast faith in the face of anguishing torture. This message could inspire them to again stay strong in their faith, even in the face of adversary, and trust that there would be a reward for their devotion, whether here on earth or in the heavens. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith. Now, as…

to the viewer. The painting now speaks for itself in the ways in which the artist chooses to paint the intended subject. Now we see clear figural depictions of important people in the catholic faith, which in the case we concluded to be the Virgin Mary and her son,…

1425-1428, oil on oak) in this painting. Of course, mainly because Rogier van der Weyden was a student of Robert Campin. But in my opinion, there is this very similar spirituality that is laid down on both paintings, and it was something that Robert could teach Rogier, it was something they both had (and possibly what established their connection.) In “The Mérode Altarpiece” “the smallest details are meticulously worked to reflect reality on a two-dimensional plane. Illusionistic effects are…

Anne”, there is peculiar detail of Mary sitting upon the lap of St. Anne, this is peculiar not because of the action itself but its meaning, which as far we know, which is that there is none. But their placement is intentional, if we look upon St. Anne right arm is obscured by Mary’s, but…

considers the details of both Mary and her baby’s garments, where the lines soften to show fluidity in the falling folds of the jewel-tone garment fabrics, another clear indication of Duccio’s work. Using color and light, the artist then draws attention to Mary’s gaze in this painting, by brightening the tone of Mary’s skin on the bridge of her nose and slightly in her cheeks. It’s then that the viewer can see and begin to sense the strong connection, the maternal bond between Mary and her…

closely associated with wooden panel painting (Brooks, p. 1). The many themes found within Byzantine art are, representations of holy people and holy events (Cavarnos, pg. 27). The most common people and events represented are Christ, the Virgin Mary, the biblical story of Salvation and the lives of the saints (Durand, p. 10). Byzantine icons are the most common and more recognized art pieces of…

The Madonna Enthroned painting depicts the Virgin Mary and her child siting on a throne. The picture is unique in that it blends Western and Eastern influences and therefore the author of this work has been the source of much debate (Davies 273). Several aspects of the painting such as the throne, the red shoes and the archangels are typical of Eastern or Byzantine art. “Yet, Jesus gives the Western, not eastern, sign of blessing, and the halos are not the plain burnished disks found in…

Mysticism Catherine of Siena was of the most popular catholic saint. She was famous for her work with underprivileged and her charitable service. She derived her mysticism in the practical relief of human suffering. She gained legendary status while alive and the legendary status continued ever after her life because of the strong following she had. As can be ascribed from her literary works, she was independent in her approach of following religion; St Catherine was passionate regarding her…