James Miller's Blog

    The oil painting Atlas holding up the celestial globe above was done by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri in 1646.  Atlas is having to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders.  This painting is a symbolization of scientific knowledge.  Mazen Asfour, from the University of Jordan, claimed Barbieri drew inspiration from the Greek myth of Atlas and correlated him to Galileo.  Galileo was persecuted and punished for claiming the Earth orbited the sun, thus Galileo alone had to endure the weight of his discovery (Asfour).  The art elements I like about the Atlas painting is the linear perspective, it is like Atlas is leaning over right in front of me.  I also enjoy the Illusion of light creating a shadow across Atlas and the bottom portion of the sphere.  There is also tenebrism present in this painting,  the background has a darker value, which brings more focus to Atlas and the sphere.  I feel crushed just looking Atlas. Woul...

      The painting above is the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. The picture above is the restored version, completed in 1999 (Zelazko).  Ludovico Sforza commissioned Leonardo da Vinci for the Last Supper in 1495 (Zelazko).  The painting takes place on Holy Thursday, right before Jesus is crucified.  Jesus is having one last meal with his 12 disciples. The Medici family did commission Leonardo da Vinci for paintings (Art and Patronage). Art Elements,  I really enjoy the linear perspective that is presented,  it has a sense of depth even though it is a two dimensional painting.  The painting has balance with the background and the table, however, there is subtle differences on the left and right side.  The table cloth pattern on the left side is faded and the left table legs look weathered.  The patterns between the black rectangles are also different on each side.  I also noticed that the clothing that most of them are weari...