Art Analysis: Merode Altarpiece Robert Campin and Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Art Analysis: Merode Altarpiece Robert Campin and Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Art is one of the most effective tools for understanding history. Over the years, popular artistry works have influenced the world in one way or another. The following study will assess two of the most popular pieces of art, which include the Merode Altarpiece Robert Campin and Annunciation by Fra Angelico. In the analysis, the study will conduct an in-depth comparison of both images, including but not limited to how the images were designed, the period of creation, and opinions regarding these pieces of art.

The merode altarpiece and the annunciation are similar in various ways. Both pieces of art are similar in designs, and the artistry in both pieces is meticulous. The annunciation is also contained in both pieces. There are, however, some striking differences as will be unraveled through the following analysis.

Merode Altarpiece is one of the greatest pieces of art that was developed during the Northern Renaissance period. It primarily incorporated objects that were meant to spur ideas of spirituality in an attempt to ensure that divinity was not only acceptable to us but to the entire world.  The artist exhibited great attention to detail and clarity. The painting is located in the Metropolitan Art Museum in the city of New York. It is an interconnection of three paintings, which has a width of four feet and a height of two feet. The form of art used in the Merode Altarpiece is referred to as a triptych. The three paintings are connected through hinges, for instance, those of a door in a way that enables them to open and close with ease. The use of hinges is particularly important since they enabled the painting to be covered prior to being displayed in an exhibition.

The center panel reveals the annunciation, which was a popular issue in the renaissance period, the middle age period, and in the period after that. It is through this picture that Mary was told by Angel Gabriel that she was going to conceive a child, who will be named Christ. In the annunciation, the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary as seen appearing through one of the right windows in a Christ image with the cross carried in the back.

The left panel, on the other hand, involves pictures of donors and patients who are the main initiators of the painting.  It is believed that the images were inspired by a new group of merchants and bankers who were largely from middle-class society. They, therefore, had the intention of commissioning works of art that inspired divinity to the world.

The panel on the right is a depiction of Joseph, who was Jesus’ father and was working as a carpenter at the time. The image depicts him at his workshop. He was one of the most popular characters of the Northern Renaissance period. The three panels reveal that all the images depicted a religious message.  For instance, the tools that were being used by Joseph was an indication of the passion of Christ, while the lilies were a symbol of Mary’s virginity.  The candle that was extinguished indicated the time when God took the form of a human.

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico, on the other hand, was formulated in a simple loggia where the landscape was minimal. There are two figures, which bow towards each other. There is a drawing of a garden, which, together with the loggia, indicates the seclusion and chastity of Mary. Below the two figures is a pradella, which represents certain events in the life of Mary.

The illumination is clear, despite the components seeming minimal. The simplicity of the work is evidenced through the robe worn by Angel Gabriel and the delicateness of the flowers in the grass. There are different textures in the painting, similar to those of the merode altarpiece. The floor of the marble at the loggia is particularly smooth, as evidenced by how the robe of Angel Gabriel covers the floor. The wings textures also have a striking contrast to the haloes finish that has been effectively polished.

In conclusion, it is evident that both artists were meticulous in their work, as evidenced through the designs, the texture, and the colors. Both artists displayed fine details and well thought out illusion, which encapsulates the event perfectly. The most notable difference between both pieces of art is the fact that while Angelico’s painting is on a single panel and contains one painting, Campin’s painting is on three panels, and every panel has a distinct painting. The fact that both paintings encapsulate the annunciation period is one of the most evident similarities, and despite the differences in color, the message brought about by the images is almost similar. The importance of both images cannot be underscored cognizant of the fact that they play a pivotal role in explaining the history. Both Robert Campin and Fra Angelico have contributed significantly in influencing not only the great artists of their time but also modern artists.