Mackenzie Moll
11/19/03
Comparing Masacio’s Holy Trinity and Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Marriage
In comparing Masacio’s Holy Trinity and Jan Van Eyck’s Arnolfini marriage, we are able to analyze many similarities and differences. We notice the innovative Renaissance techniques as well as these two paintings being pivotal pieces not only in these artists careers but also as pioneering artists in history. If we compare these two painting with Gothic art, we observe that these artists techniques have much evolved. These evolved techniques include a focus on naturalism and individualism. These two elements distinguish people in the paintings and are very realistic, unlike gothic art, in which all the people looked the same. The focus on detail, precision, and depth is truly amazing in both Holy Trinity and Arnolfini. The colors in Masacio’s Holy Trinity can help us see the artists intent on creating deep space. Masacio used red to give the feeling of closeness and blue to give the feeling of this deep space. But the reason for these colors goes beyond precision and for the first time people were dealing with having meaning and ideas behind their paintings rather than just telling a story. Masacios use of blue and red is strategically placed to pull us in to the painting with the blue and push us away with the red. This feeling of push and pulling can also be seen in Von Eycks Arnolfini, in a different way. Van Eyck’s piece gives us a general image of the betroval of a young couple but then proceeds to lure us into the center of the painting, which is the mirror. The mirror with immense detail absorbs the room but also reflects it. The mirror is almost a hole in this room but takes all of what we see with it and transforms it into a refection. Hence we are pulled into the hole but also pushed back by the reflection.
