Technique in Art

Paper Summary:

This paper studies the conveying of meaning in art through the use of different techniques. It does this by comparing and contrasting two works on the same subject, as envisioned by two different artists. It looks at the slightly different styles and techniques of "The Fortune Teller" by the Italian painter Caravaggio and "The Fortune Teller" by the French artist Georges De La Tour.

From the Paper:

"To understand the role of technique, as opposed to subject or narrative, in conveying visual meaning, it is so instructive for a student of painting to compare and contrast the works on the same subject, as envisioned by two different artists. Consider how the slightly different styles and techniques of "The Fortune Teller" by the Italian painter Caravaggio and "The Fortune Teller by the French artist Georges De La Tour both tell the same narrative within their painted structure. In both works, a young man of evident wealth is depicted visiting a fortune-teller. While having his palm read, all of the gold and money upon his person is stolen. However, subtle shifts in the artists" techniques and images cause slightly different shifts in the viewer's sympathy for the young man's plight and the viewer's feelings towards the thieving fortuneteller. This is true even though both paintings date from relatively similar periods of time in art history."

More papers on Technique in Art:

• Essay # 55108 : "Lighting Techniques in Art"
• Analytical Essay # 112215 : "The Use of Distortion in Art, Literature, and Theatre"
• Descriptive Essay # 148418 : "Da Vinci's Innovations in Art"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: