Comparison between Jan van Eyck and Fra Angelico Essay -- essays rese

The rebirth in Western Europe brought a rebirth to the arts. No longer was the church the only accredited patron for the arts. Instead, a pie-eyed middle class arose as patrons and were able to purchase artists works. Although many pieces still had religious themes, the styles, freedom of creativity, and less reserved pieces were created. The conversion was not only confined to Italy, although it is often mistaken as the cradle of the movement. All over Western Europe artwork flourished. Artists from the north came to Italy to select the classical arts and the renowned Italian Renaissance artists. Many of the corresponding themes and outlet matters were depicted byout Western Europe. One such subject matter, the Annunciation, was portrayed by Jan van van Eyck, a Flemish panel painter, as well as, Fra Angelico, an Italian fresco painter. In short, the Annunciation occurred when God sends the angel, Gabriel to save the message to Mary that she will give birth to his only son. Although twain artists had the same understanding of the biblical account, their styles varied to agree with the concerns and interests of the people of the m as well as where they lived. They were able to establish their individuality through their artwork, so far with the same subject matter. The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck is a perfect reflection of Federal Renaissance panel characterization while Annunciation by Fra Angelico is the essence of Italian Renaissance fresco delineation.The compositions that each piece marchs is different and prestige in its own right. Flemish panel painters were largely influential and created extraordinary developments in composition. The artwork tends to be very detailed and filled with symbolic meanings from surrounding objects or even coloring. Jan van Eyck was especially credited for paying exceptional assist to detail that creates such a realistic form, the figures seem lifelike. Much of this realistic appearance is due to the medium that was widely usaged in the North. The use of oil paints and techniques, such as finer detail with smaller tangle strokes and layering of oil paints to create a glaze, were used and developed giving the Northern art distinct characteristics and composition. Italian painters created frescos by applying pigments to wet plaster. The result is a dull, flatter color and they were unable to achieve intricate detail. The com... ...ic meanings that still be puzzling art historians today. Some of the key symbols that Stokstad points out in the text is the dove, representing the divine Spirit the white lilies as a symbol of the virginal Mary. She also points out, two rather unknown symbols to the sacrilegious, the date of the Annunciation in signs of the zodiac on the floor, as well as the lone stained icing window that is symbolizing God rising above the three windows that are placed in the background behind Mary. These three windows represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Both J an van Eyck and Fra Angelico were revered artists for the advances in art that they created and displayed for the mankind to see. Their renditions of the Annunciation were both very different, however unique and perfect display of the typical styles used during the Renaissance. Jan van Eycks panel painting Annunciation held all the characteristics of the Northern Renaissance with its overwhelming symbolism and detail. Fra Angelicos fresco Annunciation grasped the key elements used in the Italian Renaissance with usage of perspective as well as displaying the interest and intimacy of the classical arts.