The creation of Adam uses emphasis, line, and variety to make it one of the most important peices of the renaissance time. The variety in this artwork isn't in the colour or design of the peice but in the placement of the characters. On the left side there is a single person sitting on a rock but on the right side pointing at the other man is god. Who is dressed in a robe and has at least five people surrounding him in the background. The Emphasis and line are used in almost the same way to complete the artwork. There is emphasis on the muscles and figure of the two characters. This was one of Michelangelo's trademarks in most of his artwork. He makes the men in the perfect image with detailed muscles and features. Some say this is because he was homosexual. The way he can make the muscles and features is by a mixture of straight curved and detailed lines. The lines that are more curved are found in the abdomen of the man on the left.
The way I interpret this piece is that God is on the right and Adam on the left. It looks like God has is reaching from heaven to touch Adam almost like making the final touches on his creation. The people surrounding him could be angels or Adams relatives that are helping god to create Adam.
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I added the last picture as one final joke before summer.
Jake, I'm interested in your connection between variety and placement of figures -- it isn't an observation that I would have made right away, so it's nice to see the artwork from your point of view. There may be other elements besides space (placement) that would relate to variety, but I think your opinion is original. Plus, you've explained your point, so that helps too.
ReplyDeleteRemember that emphasis relates to the idea of focal point. Is there an area where your attention is drawn to? I understand that Michelangelo has emphasized the form (figures/muscles) within the artwork, but this is slightly different than looking at the artwork as a whole, and finding the focal point.
Isn't this analysis stuff crazy??