Renaissance and Baroque Artwork

Archangel Gabriel; The virgin Annunciate

Artist: Gerard David, Netherlandish, Oudewater Ca. Bruges

Date: Ca. 1510        Size: oil on oak panel, 34x11 1/8 in (86.4x28.3 cm)

The two Annunciation panels are the depictions of the passion which decorated the reverses and originally formed the movable wings of an altarpiece. When wings were closed, the Archangel Gabriel and Virgin Annunciate were shown but when they were open on feast days, Christ carrying the cross and display the resurrection depicting the lamentation. The deep translucent colors and sensitive integration of figures and so much passion shown with use of space, expressions in the face and the gestures in their hands. The color of her hair shows a softer side other than the greys. I also noticed symmetry in this painting which is dividing the two figures with symmetrical balance using different objects.

Portrait of a Man

Artist: Velazquez, Spanish, Seville Madrid

Date: Ca. 1630-35      Size: oil on canvas, 27x21 ¾ in (68.6x55.2cm)

 This portrait is from the figure who gazes out from the far right, depicting the famous military successes. The figure in the painting is an informal portrait, not a highly-finished work and the head is more finished then the body and the background. He has layers of dark colors and the expression of the face is quite serious. X-radiography is used to see the rest of the painting. It has a special color that should be viewed through the x-radiography.