Artwork Analysis Paper Visual & Performing Arts Essay

Paper Instructions
For this writing assignment, you will observe, describe, analyze, and interpret the following work of art:
http://prezi(dot)com/d5_huppa7388/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Using your observational skills, your knowledge of the concepts, purposes and materials of art, your knowledge of visual and design elements, and specialized vocabulary, write a succinct and thoughtful formal analysis of the work. Remember to be specific with your object description. Imagine that you are describing the work of art to someone who has never seen it before. After reading your analysis, your audience should have a clear mental picture of the work, but they should also have a sense of what you think the work means. Be sure to include a thesis statement that reflects your interpretation of the work.
Responses should be at least 750 words of original writing (no copying, pasting, borrowing, or paraphrasing of any kind) in proper paragraph form. NO RESEARCH IS NECESSARY FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.
Below is sample paper: you can use this style or come up with yours.
Formal Analysis
This unknown artwork presents many clues and symbolism to help understand what is the subject matter and meaning of the composition. My interpretation derived from evidence and context is that it is about the importance of devotion in a 15th century Flemish home. The whole composition contains deep, vivid, intense colors and details. The setting is a modest size home with wood furniture, open windows, open doorways, and tiled flooring. The biggest window in the upper left corner makes the daylight and other buildings of the town right outside visible. On the window sill sits one apple and outside there is also a shrubbery with white lilies. On the left side of the composition there is a fireplace and seating bench under the biggest window decorated with green and red satin pillows, on the right side of the composition there is half of a bed with a canopy covered in green satin sheets with a wooden frame and wooden table at the foot of the bed holding a black chest and white, green, and red folded linens. In front of the table at the foot of the bad is what seems to be a small scale, wooden, crib that is cut off. Deeper into the background entering the house, there is a male figure wearing a blue and red robe with a cane in his proper left hand and a Catholic rosary in his proper right. In the bottom left foreground of the artwork, there are two figures, a female and male baby. The female figure is sitting with her knees protruding under her red and blue robes, she is holding the nude baby figure with both hands as he points to a Bible laying on the bench with the pages flipping with his proper right hand and holding a religious orb with a cross in his proper left hand.
The intense deep colors of oil paint are a hallmark of Northern Europe painting especially in 15th century Flanders. The two figures in the bottom left quadrant can be identified as the religious figures; the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Mary is identified by her luscious red and blue colored robes holding baby Jesus and almost acting as a “throne” for Jesus with her sitting position displayed by her protruding knees also giving her weight; she is depicted more realistically. The faint white lilies right outside through the window also give way to her identity. The baby is Jesus, and his nude figure is painted in a more Byzantine manner with his disproportionate body almost in contrast to the more realistic Mary. He carries a religious orb with a cross which is a staple Catholic object for the sovereign, and has pointed fingers to the Bible that appear as if having been flipped and read through by Jesus himself giving the object, a symbol of devotion high importance. This depicts major spiritual figures in a common Flemish home in the middle of town (seen through the biggest window), creating a sense of relatability to everyday citizens. The Catholic church presence in this artwork can be identified by the monk in the background in traditional robes with the red and blue colors of the Virgin and holding a Rosary. The green color used on the bed linens and on all the pillows represent the earthly realm tones mixing in with the spiritual realm. There are spiritual figurines of Christ identified by his blessing figures and a Saint incorporated into the top of the bed frame as a reminder of Faith. While the apple on the sill of the biggest window is placed as a reminder of the sins of man, of Adam and Eve, of unfaithfulness, as a warning, as well as the two lion figures in the chandelier and bed possibly representing evil. The window closest to Jesus and Mary, has a frame that resembles a cross shape. Also, the head of Mary acts a center point for a compositional triangle leading to Jesus pointing to the Bible all the way to the two bottom corners.
This artwork can be interpreted as highlighting the importance of devotion and faith in a Flemish home, specifically during the 15th century, and most likely a private religious commission. This artwork is involved in integrating realism and painting spiritual figures as more approachable and accessible to everyday Catholics, as human beings.