- Published: January 5, 2022
- Updated: January 5, 2022
- University / College: Duke University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 15
In this artwork of “ Baptism of Christ” by El Greco 1608, it displays the era of Christ during the which he revealed his mortality with man. In the illustration, Christ, with his elongated body, can be seen in a very humble position bowing his head slightly as a form of submission. El Greco fictional semblance of Christ, shows everyone around him standing slanted and tall while looking at the heavens for the approval of god.
The angels in heaven are also looking to God to honor this great and historic event. The heavens seem to open up for everyone to view this symbol of man’s connection to God. The dove and the pouring of water over Christ’s head serve as a focal area in the artwork. El Greco’s art displays intense vivid color and extraordinary detail including how loosely the gowns are draped to create an illusion of breath of wind is blowing each article of clothing. His antinaturalism style evokes something that is unworldly and not characteristic of mortal man. It shows that once man submits to God, the heaven shall open up to accept man’s humbleness.
You can see the white dove as it ascends into heaven as a token of Christ’s good graces. The fact that El Greco shows a mortal man baptizing Christ is another sign of how man’s connection to heaven and God brings humans ever closer to heaven. Christ’s humbleness is also displayed by him bearing nothing but a simple cloth to cover his private parts. This display of Mannerism and Expressionism shows the true mortality of man. From the supernatural simplistic expression of man to the dominate stance of God, Christ’s Baptism has an unworldly image that invokes acceptance. El Greco’s 17th century work of art creates the illusion of human energy flowing up while displaying an air flowing down from earth as seen by how the people’s clothing is draped downward.
El Greco’s Greek heritage can be seen by his portrayal of religion and the belief of the afterlife. The Disrobing of Christ, 1579 by El Greco http://www. elgreco. net/the-disrobing-of-christ. jsp In this artwork of “ The Disrobing of Christ” by El Greco, displays Christ before his crucifixion. The soldiers are surrounding him while the crowd is gathered to witness the event. Christ is seen looking up to the heavens with his hand to his heart as if he’s asking for God to forgive the people for their sins.
A man my his feet can be seen checking out his sandals as if he’s looking to take possession of them. Two ladies are seen looking sad of his earthly demise. It’s symbolic that his robe is intense in red to represent the blood of Christ. It also represents a focal area. El Greco illustrates details of Christ’s robe is more detailed than the clothing and uniform of the other people. Even though Christ is held hostage by the guards, there is no visible signs of containment such as ropes or other constraining equipment.
It’s as if he’s aware of his fate but not resistant to it. This artwork during the renaissance period displays most of the characters and weapons in a vertical position, as if everything is pointing to heaven in a contemptious jester. You notice how Christ is the only one looking up to heaven while everyone else is looking either at him or at feet. Color is randomly drawn on certain people such as the lady at the bottom with blond hair and splashes of distinct color on the clothing of people in the crowd. The focal area of the man at his feet, looking to take his shoes, show high intensity of yellow color to display his selfish deeds.
You can see the crowd building up into a frenzy. The man over the guards shoulder, can be seen licking his lips as if wondering what clothing articles he can get for himself. Another man can be seen grabbing Christ’s robe ready to take possession of it.
The artwork describes how the people at that time were excited to persecute a pure man so that they can continue enjoying their life of earthly sins. The women seem to be remorse by the event. The blood hungry crowd is seeking death of God’s son. The picture shows man’s greed and selfishness in wanting to kill a righteous man. No one is there to defend his honor. Even people that were against the crucifixion showed no signs of helping Christ. It’s as if this moment was meant to be.
It’s ironic that even though the crowd is looking for the death of Christ, Christ is still looking for the salvation of man. The three dimensional of space can be seen by the depth of the crowd. It shows a line of people behind Christ.
It also displays a linear perspective as the people look smaller as one looks towards the back of the crowd. The art work has a drab appearance to illustrate this dire situation. This work of El Greco signifies the trial and tribulations of man’s existence. These two artworks of El Greco signifies his perception of his religious beliefs and how man can be at odds with divinity. The difference of these two piece shows the artist’s religious beliefs. In the Baptism of Christ, El Greco shows a more upbeat and lighter side of mankind in relations to heaven.
In The Disrobing of Christ, El Greco, illustrates a more dreary and dark nature of man in regards to Christ’s existence. His art give me a whole new perspective of man and religion.
