Museum formal analysis

docx

School

Brigham Young University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

202

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by skethanjones

Ethan Jones ARTHC 202 - Section 009 Museum Formal Analysis Bernard Sleigh's "The Crucifixion: A Triptych" immediately caught my attention with its large size and extreme detail. These two elements make the artwork look as if the viewer could be gazing out of a window into a tangible moment in time. The size of Sleigh's artwork reaching almost from floor to ceiling make the proportions of the depicted characters contribute to this lifelike effect. Additionally, the length of the Triptych style caused this piece to dominate the space in which it was held. This style's format, with its three-piece panel, enables more of the scene to be portrayed to the viewers. Many elements such as the colors, people, and spacing, bring balance throughout all three of the panels. More specifically, the same amount of people and angels on the first and third panel. Each crowd of people are gathered close together and pushed to the outside border of the two panels. Similarly, closer to the inside border of those same panels the viewer will find a character kneeling but still leaving some space between themselves and the edge of the panel. These specifications of the quantity of people and characters kneeling is where the balance can be felt. Although the balance is noticeable on the side panels, it is evident that the main focal point is Christ hanging on the cross in the center panel. The intense glow of the halo around his head causes the viewer to automatically be drawn to Christ. The halo can also be seen on each head of the angels in the sky on the same upper portion of the panel as Christ’s head. However, the halo around Christ is noticeably brighter than any of the others, making it that much more of a magnet for the viewer's gaze. His arms outstretched and legs extended causes the body to fill the majority space of the panel. With this concentrated focus on the body of Christ the sacred setting of which the artwork was intended to provide can clearly be felt. Elements of depth and distance are evoked from the beautiful background. The mountains are smaller in proportion to the main scene, showing how far away they may be. As the ridge of the mountains fade away into the distance they begin to diminish in size. The mountains accompanied by the light of the sunrise give depth with shadows. It can be seen that the sun is just coming up and is still being hidden behind the mountains yet it has illuminated the back sides while the front is still shaded.. This also helps to showcase the ridges, height, and distance of the mountains. From the texture of the white fur on the cloak worn by the individual at the base of the cross to the shining metal armor of the knight on the first panel, every detail has been captured by Sleigh. Each character has their unique hairstyle that can be seen with the detail of specific strands of hair. The outline and texture of each brick stacked upon each other to build a small wall. Ruffles and waves on each person's clothes, feathers on all of the angels' backs, light rays from the sunrise, ridges on the mountainside, and the wood texture on the cross. These examples showcase the exceptional detail that was given throughout every aspect of this artwork. One thing I find interesting is the choice of vibrant yet purposeful colors Sleigh used throughout the panels. Each figure can be found wearing five specific colors which are red, purple, brown, green and white. Some may be a slightly different shade than another, nonetheless still the same colors. Across the top angels wings can be seen in a type of red. When I think of angel wings, I picture white wings which I find interesting that this color was used. The angels are so close together that if their heads with the halos around them weren't shown, or if this artwork is being viewed from a distance, it might be mistaken for a red banner going across the top of the panels. Lastly, the background glow of a yellowish-orange from the sunrise is an excellent color that makes all the other colors stand out even more.

Sleigh executed an incredible way to combine multiple visual elements in this art piece to show the sacred scene and immense focus on Christ. This masterful work combines scale, depth, color, balance, detail and texture to really bring the realistic emotion through the canvas. The Triptych style of the piece really allows the viewer to get a glimpse of the scene in its entirety once again giving it that lifelike and sacred effect. The Crucifixion: A Triptych Bernard Sleigh 1906

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version