Papers on "The Virgin Mary" and similar term paper topics

Paper #023631 :: The Virgin Mary
Buy and instantly download this paper now

A comparison of the portrayal of the Virgin Mary in paintings by Paul Gaugin and Guido Reni.

Written in 2002; 1,063 words; 4 sources; MLA; $ 37.95

Paper Summary:

Gaugin's "Ia Orana Maria" and Reni's "The Immaculate Conception" are two very different representations of the Virgin Mary. The paper explains that by utilizing more classical composition techniques, smooth, curving lines and rich, strong colors, Reni portrays Mary as an idealized version of Baroque femininity in a heavenly setting. It shows, in contrast, how Gauguin adheres to the primitive tradition, illustrating Mary as a native woman, a naked Christ child set on her shoulders. His use of asymmetrical composition in a cluttered, unplanned scene provides a feeling of energy and naturalism, a striking contrast to the serenity of Reni's work. The paper shows therefore that in illustrating the Virgin Mary in their works, each painter adheres to the very different sensibilities of their time periods.

From the Paper:

"Paul Gaugin's "Ia Orana Maria," translated as "Hail Mary," treats a similar subject matter, in that it illustrates the Virgin Mary with adoring attendants. However, this is not the Mary of the Immaculate Conception, but with Christ who is perched upon her shoulders. Painted in the post-impressionist genre known as Arcadia, which exemplifies scenes of blissful simplicity and retreat from the complex, this work was completed in 1891 and hangs in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is not a large work, only 44 inches by about 36 inches. In keeping with its primitive tradition, and in stark contrast to "The Immaculate Conception," the composition is highly asymmetrical, with the central Mary figure set off to the right of the picture. The poses are unstudied, casual and almost accidental, with Mary and the Christ child looking at the viewer, and the two prayerful, adoring native women gazing at them. This casual approach may be an attempt of Gauguin to emphasize the "naturalness" of the scene, despite the obviously supernatural halos."

Tags: Arcadia Metropolitan Museum Orana Maria

More papers on "The Virgin Mary"

1. Paper #095160 :: Protestant Devotion to the Virgin Mary ( 23,721 words; 17 sources; APA )
2. Paper #021892 :: "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" ( Kenneth Branagh ) and "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley ( 1,350 words; 6 sources; )
3. Paper #032903 :: Why Not The Virgin Of Guadalupe? ( 650 words; 5 sources; )
4. Paper #091756 :: Mary Espoused to The Father, The Son & The Holy Spirit ( 12,150 words; 8 sources; APA )
5. Paper #090021 :: The Cult of Mary in the Medieval Age ( 2,925 words; 13 sources; )

About AcaDemon

We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper, you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.

Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on The Virgin Mary

This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library. Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "The Virgin Mary", Essays on "The Virgin Mary", Research papers on "The Virgin Mary", Student papers on "The Virgin Mary", Book reports on "The Virgin Mary", Dissertation on "The Virgin Mary", Thesis on "The Virgin Mary", Summary of paper on "The Virgin Mary", Articles written on "The Virgin Mary".