Visual Analysis of Baroque Titan

Visual Analysis of a Work of Art

Art 1112 01

19 February 2014

Assumption of the Virgin by Titian

I saw this painting in my church when I was at home over the summer. We had a guest speaker and he likes to incorporate art into his sermons, and I felt this painting really spoke to me as soon as I saw it.

In this painting by Titian, one’s attention is instantly drawn to the figure of Mary. Mary is the central figure in this painting and everything else is centered around her. The cluster of people to the left and right of Mary are the angels, cherubs, and saints who are praising Mary and exalting her. Exaggeration was a big part of the baroque style and is shown throughout this painting especially between the cherub’s attempts to get to the saints and the saints attempt to reach Mary. This leads to Mary’s attempt to not merely touch but to embrace God the Father. The exaggerated effect of the cherubs below reaching up toward the cloud of saints is that they are not just reaching up but they are reaching up with intensity. They are trying to get to Mary. This is emphasizing their desperation to touch Mary. The unity in this painting is very evident. The artist does not make it difficult to see. From the first look at this painting the eye is instantly drawn to Mary and her interaction with God the Father. This makes one feel as if they are a part of the painting.

Titian uses many of the visual elements in this painting like; the visual element of color is used all throughout this painting. His choice of warm colors, such as crimson red, yellow and brown evoke a warm feeling. As it is seen in the crowd’s clothing Titian uses the visual element of color to contrast the similar shades of the clothing to the gold background bringing unity between the colors. The clouds, the frame, the cluster of saints and angels all create an image of God who is looking down from heaven toward Mary. The lighting in this painting permeates from the edge of the painting...