The two pieces of art that I would like to point out some certain features that have been stylized within the art pieces are both crucifixion images. The reason for this is both show stylized features, but in different ways. Some ways are even similar to one another. The two art pieces are Crucifixion by the Church of Dormition, Daphni, Greece and the Gero Crucifix.
One of the areas that was stylized on the Crucifixion by the church of Dormition was the way that they drew his hands. Studies have been shown that for them to have had that open look would be very difficult to do. Who knows why they chose to do this, but one explanation could have been to not make things to depressing or negative. Another explanation could have been that by having the hands open you can clearly see that the nails have been driven threw his hands. This may make a lot of sense since these are one of the major focuses when people visualize the Crucifixion. The Gero Crucifix has the same features it appears, although his hands are not as wide and open as those done by the Church of Dormition. The Gero Crucifix show his thumbs less lively, which gives a more depressing look. In addition his head is being held down further than the Crucifixion by the Church of Dormition, which points out yet another feature that was stylized by the Church. His head is tilted, but not being drawn in a position that shows pain and suffering. To me the position of his head is very similar to that of the Virgin of Vladmir. Nevertheless, the position does give a sense of negativity, because he definitely isn’t looking up or like it doesn’t faze him.
Moreover, going back to the hands on both the Crucifixion done by the Church of Dormition and the Gero Crucifix studies have also been shown to suggest that it would be very difficult to have the nails in his hands at all. This is because it would have been difficult for the hands to support his body weight. Now although this may have been unrealistic to some it doesn’t rule it out. I mean if you think about he was put there to suffer and not to give him comfort. So although the studies may suggest that this was difficult to do even they admit that its not impossible. Also, the blood that comes out of his hands in the Crucifixion done by the Church of Dormition has the blood going directly down instead of flowing down his arm as it would probably do from that positon. Also, the blood coming out from his side in the Crucifixion done by the Church Dormition is obviously stylized so that it will get viewers attention. This is because most likely the blood would go down his side and not come out of his body as if it were a fountain.
The crucifixion scene was stylized because it is easier for the viewers to comprehend the action and drama that is taking place. The artist wants the viewers to feel the emotions of the piece. It is sort of how things are portrayed in plays and movies. Some scenery gets stylized by the special affects and the background music. In paintings and mosaics what sets the mood is the colors that are used and the expressions and actions of the figures. The same holds true to novels because authors use certain dialogue in order to describe the action that is happening in the story. Whether it is expressed in film, theater, books or paintings the creator of the piece whats the viewers to grasp the meaning of the piece.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how you pointed out the hands and how their openness gives off a feeling. The Gero Crucifix definitely makes Christ look like he suffering more as opposed to Christ in Crucifixion. Overall, I get a darker feeling from the Gero Crucifix because of the darker colors used throughout the composition. Crucifixion gives Christ a pure white look while the Gero Crucifix makes him appear darker and he looks like he is just all around suffering more in this composition.
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ReplyDeleteI would be curious to learn more about your sources regarding "open hands." I've never come across any discussion regarding that idea and Byzantine art specifically, but I wouldn't be surprised if such discussion exists. I do know, though, that the open hands of Christ (nailed to the cross, palms outward) are sometimes seen as a symbol of resignation.
ReplyDeleteAnother unnaturalistic feature in this mosaic is the gold background; the natural world and sky aren't chock-full of gold! I think the gold background also makes the space (and figures) seem more flat and stylized, too.
-Prof. Bowen
I like how all your ideas relate to a function or impression instead of "Oh, they made his hair stylized because that's what people of the time did." Sometimes it is hard to remember that there are reasons for style and they aren't always what had to do with what was popular at the time. It was a thought process that led to stylization!
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